Grade 8 Science

SC.8.1 Forces and Interactions 

SC.8.1.1 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of forces and interactions. 

SC.8.1.1.a Apply Newton’s Third Law to design a solution to a problem involving the motion of two colliding objects. 

• Assessment is limited to vertical or horizontal interactions in one dimension. 

SC.8.1.1.b Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved. 

SC.8.1.1.c Plan an investigation to provide evidence of Newton’s Laws that the change in an object’s motion depends on the sum of the forces on the object and the mass of the object. 

• Assessment is limited to forces and changes in motion in one-dimension in an inertial reference frame and to change in one variable at a time; does not include use of trigonometry. 

SC.8.1.1.d Ask questions about data to determine the factors that affect the strength of electrical and magnetic forces. 

• Assessment about questions that require quantitative answers is limited to proportional reasoning and algebraic thinking. 

SC.8.1.1.e Construct and present arguments using evidence to support the claim that gravitational interactions are attractive and depend on both the mass and distance of interacting objects. 

• Assessment does not include Newton’s Law of Gravitation or Kepler’s Laws. 

SC.8.1.1.f Conduct an investigation and evaluate the experimental design to provide evidence that electrical and magnetic fields exist between objects exerting forces on each other even though the objects are not in contact. 

• Assessment is limited to electric and magnetic fields, and limited to qualitative evidence for the existence of fields. 

SC.8.2 Waves and Electromagnetic Radiation 

SC.8.2.2 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of waves and electromagnetic radiation. 

SC.8.2.2.a Use mathematical representations to describe a simple model for waves that includes how the amplitude of a wave is related to the energy in a wave. 

• Assessment does not include electromagnetic waves and is limited to standard repeating waves.

SC.8.2.2.b Develop and use a model to describe that Light and mechanical waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materials. 

• Assessment is limited to qualitative applications pertaining to light and mechanical waves. 

SC.8.2.2.c Gather and make sense of information to support the claim that the structure of analog and digital signals allows for encoding and transmission of information. 

SC.8.4 Energy 

SC.8.4.3 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of energy. 

SC.8.4.3.a Construct and interpret graphical displays of data to describe the relationships of kinetic energy to the mass and speed of an object. 

SC.8.4.3.b Develop a model to describe that when the arrangement of objects interacting at a distance changes, then different amounts of potential energy are stored in the system. 

• Assessment is limited to two objects.  

• Assessment is limited to electric, magnetic, and gravitational interactions.

SC.8.9 Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits

SC.8.9.4 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of the inheritance and variation of traits.

SC.8.9.4.a Develop and use a model to describe why structural changes to genes (mutations) may result in harmful, beneficial, or neutral effects to structure and function of organisms. 

• Assessment does not include specific changes at the molecular level, mechanisms for protein synthesis, or specific types of mutations. 

SC.8.9.4.b Gather and synthesize information about technologies that have changed the way humans influence inheritance of desired traits in organisms. 

SC.8.10 Natural Selection and Adaptations 

SC.8.10.5 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of natural selection and adaptations. 

SC.8.10.5.a  Analyze and interpret data for patterns in the fossil record that document the existence, diversity, extinction, and change of life forms throughout the history of life on Earth under the assumption that natural laws operate today as in the past. 

• Assessment does not include the names of individual species or geological eras in the fossil record. 

SC.8.10.5.b Apply scientific ideas to construct an explanation for the anatomical similarities and differences among and between modern and fossil organisms to infer evolutionary relationships. 

SC.8.10.5.c Construct an explanation based on evidence that describes how genetic variations of traits in a population increase some individuals’ probability of surviving and reproducing in a specific environment. 

SC.8.10.5.d Use mathematical representations to support explanations of how natural selection may lead to increases and decreases of specific traits in populations over time. 

• Assessment does not include Hardy Weinberg calculations. 

SC.8.11 Space Systems

SC.8.11.6 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of the interactions among bodies in space. 

SC.8.11.6.a Develop and use a model of the Earth-sun-moon system to describe the cyclic patterns of lunar phases, eclipses of the sun and moon, and seasons. 

SC.8.11.6.b Develop and use a model to describe the role of gravity in the motions within the galaxy and the solar system. 

• Assessment does not include Kepler’s Laws of orbital motion or the apparent retrograde motion of planets as viewed from Earth. 

SC.8.11.6.c Analyze and interpret data to determine scale properties of objects in the solar system. 

• Assessment does not include recalling facts about properties of the planets and other solar system bodies. 

SC.8.14 History of Earth 

SC.8.14.7 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence to explain Earth’s history. 

SC.8.14.7.a Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence found within rock strata, including index fossils, for how the geologic time scale is used to organize Earth’s 4.6-billion-year-old history. 

• Assessment does not include recalling the names of specific periods or epochs and events within them.

SC.8.1 Forces and Interactions 

SC.8.1.1 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of forces and interactions. 

SC.8.1.1.a Apply Newton’s Third Law to design a solution to a problem involving the motion of two colliding objects. 

• Assessment is limited to vertical or horizontal interactions in one dimension. 

SC.8.1.1.b Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved. 

SC.8.1.1.c Plan an investigation to provide evidence of Newton’s Laws that the change in an object’s motion depends on the sum of the forces on the object and the mass of the object. 

• Assessment is limited to forces and changes in motion in one-dimension in an inertial reference frame and to change in one variable at a time; does not include use of trigonometry. 

SC.8.1.1.d Ask questions about data to determine the factors that affect the strength of electrical and magnetic forces. 

• Assessment about questions that require quantitative answers is limited to proportional reasoning and algebraic thinking. 

SC.8.1.1.e Construct and present arguments using evidence to support the claim that gravitational interactions are attractive and depend on both the mass and distance of interacting objects. 

• Assessment does not include Newton’s Law of Gravitation or Kepler’s Laws. 

SC.8.1.1.f Conduct an investigation and evaluate the experimental design to provide evidence that electrical and magnetic fields exist between objects exerting forces on each other even though the objects are not in contact. 

• Assessment is limited to electric and magnetic fields, and limited to qualitative evidence for the existence of fields. 

SC.8.2 Waves and Electromagnetic Radiation 

SC.8.2.2 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of waves and electromagnetic radiation. 

SC.8.2.2.a Use mathematical representations to describe a simple model for waves that includes how the amplitude of a wave is related to the energy in a wave. 

• Assessment does not include electromagnetic waves and is limited to standard repeating waves.

SC.8.2.2.b Develop and use a model to describe that Light and mechanical waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materials. 

• Assessment is limited to qualitative applications pertaining to light and mechanical waves. 

SC.8.2.2.c Gather and make sense of information to support the claim that the structure of analog and digital signals allows for encoding and transmission of information. 

SC.8.4 Energy 

SC.8.4.3 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of energy. 

SC.8.4.3.a Construct and interpret graphical displays of data to describe the relationships of kinetic energy to the mass and speed of an object. 

SC.8.4.3.b Develop a model to describe that when the arrangement of objects interacting at a distance changes, then different amounts of potential energy are stored in the system. 

• Assessment is limited to two objects.  

• Assessment is limited to electric, magnetic, and gravitational interactions.

SC.8.9 Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits

SC.8.9.4 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of the inheritance and variation of traits.

SC.8.9.4.a Develop and use a model to describe why structural changes to genes (mutations) may result in harmful, beneficial, or neutral effects to structure and function of organisms. 

• Assessment does not include specific changes at the molecular level, mechanisms for protein synthesis, or specific types of mutations. 

SC.8.9.4.b Gather and synthesize information about technologies that have changed the way humans influence inheritance of desired traits in organisms. 

SC.8.10 Natural Selection and Adaptations 

SC.8.10.5 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of natural selection and adaptations. 

SC.8.10.5.a  Analyze and interpret data for patterns in the fossil record that document the existence, diversity, extinction, and change of life forms throughout the history of life on Earth under the assumption that natural laws operate today as in the past. 

• Assessment does not include the names of individual species or geological eras in the fossil record. 

SC.8.10.5.b Apply scientific ideas to construct an explanation for the anatomical similarities and differences among and between modern and fossil organisms to infer evolutionary relationships. 

SC.8.10.5.c Construct an explanation based on evidence that describes how genetic variations of traits in a population increase some individuals’ probability of surviving and reproducing in a specific environment. 

SC.8.10.5.d Use mathematical representations to support explanations of how natural selection may lead to increases and decreases of specific traits in populations over time. 

• Assessment does not include Hardy Weinberg calculations. 

SC.8.11 Space Systems

SC.8.11.6 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of the interactions among bodies in space. 

SC.8.11.6.a Develop and use a model of the Earth-sun-moon system to describe the cyclic patterns of lunar phases, eclipses of the sun and moon, and seasons. 

SC.8.11.6.b Develop and use a model to describe the role of gravity in the motions within the galaxy and the solar system. 

• Assessment does not include Kepler’s Laws of orbital motion or the apparent retrograde motion of planets as viewed from Earth. 

SC.8.11.6.c Analyze and interpret data to determine scale properties of objects in the solar system. 

• Assessment does not include recalling facts about properties of the planets and other solar system bodies. 

SC.8.14 History of Earth 

SC.8.14.7 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence to explain Earth’s history. 

SC.8.14.7.a Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence found within rock strata, including index fossils, for how the geologic time scale is used to organize Earth’s 4.6-billion-year-old history. 

• Assessment does not include recalling the names of specific periods or epochs and events within them.

SC.8.1 Forces and Interactions 

SC.8.1.1 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of forces and interactions. 

SC.8.1.1.a Apply Newton’s Third Law to design a solution to a problem involving the motion of two colliding objects. 

• Assessment is limited to vertical or horizontal interactions in one dimension. 

SC.8.1.1.b Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved. 

SC.8.1.1.c Plan an investigation to provide evidence of Newton’s Laws that the change in an object’s motion depends on the sum of the forces on the object and the mass of the object. 

• Assessment is limited to forces and changes in motion in one-dimension in an inertial reference frame and to change in one variable at a time; does not include use of trigonometry. 

SC.8.1.1.d Ask questions about data to determine the factors that affect the strength of electrical and magnetic forces. 

• Assessment about questions that require quantitative answers is limited to proportional reasoning and algebraic thinking. 

SC.8.1.1.e Construct and present arguments using evidence to support the claim that gravitational interactions are attractive and depend on both the mass and distance of interacting objects. 

• Assessment does not include Newton’s Law of Gravitation or Kepler’s Laws. 

SC.8.1.1.f Conduct an investigation and evaluate the experimental design to provide evidence that electrical and magnetic fields exist between objects exerting forces on each other even though the objects are not in contact. 

• Assessment is limited to electric and magnetic fields, and limited to qualitative evidence for the existence of fields. 

SC.8.2 Waves and Electromagnetic Radiation 

SC.8.2.2 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of waves and electromagnetic radiation. 

SC.8.2.2.a Use mathematical representations to describe a simple model for waves that includes how the amplitude of a wave is related to the energy in a wave. 

• Assessment does not include electromagnetic waves and is limited to standard repeating waves.

SC.8.2.2.b Develop and use a model to describe that Light and mechanical waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materials. 

• Assessment is limited to qualitative applications pertaining to light and mechanical waves. 

SC.8.2.2.c Gather and make sense of information to support the claim that the structure of analog and digital signals allows for encoding and transmission of information. 

SC.8.4 Energy 

SC.8.4.3 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of energy. 

SC.8.4.3.a Construct and interpret graphical displays of data to describe the relationships of kinetic energy to the mass and speed of an object. 

SC.8.4.3.b Develop a model to describe that when the arrangement of objects interacting at a distance changes, then different amounts of potential energy are stored in the system. 

• Assessment is limited to two objects.  

• Assessment is limited to electric, magnetic, and gravitational interactions.

SC.8.9 Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits

SC.8.9.4 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of the inheritance and variation of traits.

SC.8.9.4.a Develop and use a model to describe why structural changes to genes (mutations) may result in harmful, beneficial, or neutral effects to structure and function of organisms. 

• Assessment does not include specific changes at the molecular level, mechanisms for protein synthesis, or specific types of mutations. 

SC.8.9.4.b Gather and synthesize information about technologies that have changed the way humans influence inheritance of desired traits in organisms. 

SC.8.10 Natural Selection and Adaptations 

SC.8.10.5 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of natural selection and adaptations. 

SC.8.10.5.a  Analyze and interpret data for patterns in the fossil record that document the existence, diversity, extinction, and change of life forms throughout the history of life on Earth under the assumption that natural laws operate today as in the past. 

• Assessment does not include the names of individual species or geological eras in the fossil record. 

SC.8.10.5.b Apply scientific ideas to construct an explanation for the anatomical similarities and differences among and between modern and fossil organisms to infer evolutionary relationships. 

SC.8.10.5.c Construct an explanation based on evidence that describes how genetic variations of traits in a population increase some individuals’ probability of surviving and reproducing in a specific environment. 

SC.8.10.5.d Use mathematical representations to support explanations of how natural selection may lead to increases and decreases of specific traits in populations over time. 

• Assessment does not include Hardy Weinberg calculations. 

SC.8.11 Space Systems

SC.8.11.6 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of the interactions among bodies in space. 

SC.8.11.6.a Develop and use a model of the Earth-sun-moon system to describe the cyclic patterns of lunar phases, eclipses of the sun and moon, and seasons. 

SC.8.11.6.b Develop and use a model to describe the role of gravity in the motions within the galaxy and the solar system. 

• Assessment does not include Kepler’s Laws of orbital motion or the apparent retrograde motion of planets as viewed from Earth. 

SC.8.11.6.c Analyze and interpret data to determine scale properties of objects in the solar system. 

• Assessment does not include recalling facts about properties of the planets and other solar system bodies. 

SC.8.14 History of Earth 

SC.8.14.7 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence to explain Earth’s history. 

SC.8.14.7.a Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence found within rock strata, including index fossils, for how the geologic time scale is used to organize Earth’s 4.6-billion-year-old history. 

• Assessment does not include recalling the names of specific periods or epochs and events within them.

SC.8.1 Forces and Interactions 

SC.8.1.1 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of forces and interactions. 

SC.8.1.1.a Apply Newton’s Third Law to design a solution to a problem involving the motion of two colliding objects. 

• Assessment is limited to vertical or horizontal interactions in one dimension. 

SC.8.1.1.b Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved. 

SC.8.1.1.c Plan an investigation to provide evidence of Newton’s Laws that the change in an object’s motion depends on the sum of the forces on the object and the mass of the object. 

• Assessment is limited to forces and changes in motion in one-dimension in an inertial reference frame and to change in one variable at a time; does not include use of trigonometry. 

SC.8.1.1.d Ask questions about data to determine the factors that affect the strength of electrical and magnetic forces. 

• Assessment about questions that require quantitative answers is limited to proportional reasoning and algebraic thinking. 

SC.8.1.1.e Construct and present arguments using evidence to support the claim that gravitational interactions are attractive and depend on both the mass and distance of interacting objects. 

• Assessment does not include Newton’s Law of Gravitation or Kepler’s Laws. 

SC.8.1.1.f Conduct an investigation and evaluate the experimental design to provide evidence that electrical and magnetic fields exist between objects exerting forces on each other even though the objects are not in contact. 

• Assessment is limited to electric and magnetic fields, and limited to qualitative evidence for the existence of fields. 

SC.8.2 Waves and Electromagnetic Radiation 

SC.8.2.2 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of waves and electromagnetic radiation. 

SC.8.2.2.a Use mathematical representations to describe a simple model for waves that includes how the amplitude of a wave is related to the energy in a wave. 

• Assessment does not include electromagnetic waves and is limited to standard repeating waves.

SC.8.2.2.b Develop and use a model to describe that Light and mechanical waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materials. 

• Assessment is limited to qualitative applications pertaining to light and mechanical waves. 

SC.8.2.2.c Gather and make sense of information to support the claim that the structure of analog and digital signals allows for encoding and transmission of information. 

SC.8.4 Energy 

SC.8.4.3 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of energy. 

SC.8.4.3.a Construct and interpret graphical displays of data to describe the relationships of kinetic energy to the mass and speed of an object. 

SC.8.4.3.b Develop a model to describe that when the arrangement of objects interacting at a distance changes, then different amounts of potential energy are stored in the system. 

• Assessment is limited to two objects.  

• Assessment is limited to electric, magnetic, and gravitational interactions.

SC.8.9 Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits

SC.8.9.4 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of the inheritance and variation of traits.

SC.8.9.4.a Develop and use a model to describe why structural changes to genes (mutations) may result in harmful, beneficial, or neutral effects to structure and function of organisms. 

• Assessment does not include specific changes at the molecular level, mechanisms for protein synthesis, or specific types of mutations. 

SC.8.9.4.b Gather and synthesize information about technologies that have changed the way humans influence inheritance of desired traits in organisms. 

SC.8.10 Natural Selection and Adaptations 

SC.8.10.5 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of natural selection and adaptations. 

SC.8.10.5.a  Analyze and interpret data for patterns in the fossil record that document the existence, diversity, extinction, and change of life forms throughout the history of life on Earth under the assumption that natural laws operate today as in the past. 

• Assessment does not include the names of individual species or geological eras in the fossil record. 

SC.8.10.5.b Apply scientific ideas to construct an explanation for the anatomical similarities and differences among and between modern and fossil organisms to infer evolutionary relationships. 

SC.8.10.5.c Construct an explanation based on evidence that describes how genetic variations of traits in a population increase some individuals’ probability of surviving and reproducing in a specific environment. 

SC.8.10.5.d Use mathematical representations to support explanations of how natural selection may lead to increases and decreases of specific traits in populations over time. 

• Assessment does not include Hardy Weinberg calculations. 

SC.8.11 Space Systems

SC.8.11.6 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of the interactions among bodies in space. 

SC.8.11.6.a Develop and use a model of the Earth-sun-moon system to describe the cyclic patterns of lunar phases, eclipses of the sun and moon, and seasons. 

SC.8.11.6.b Develop and use a model to describe the role of gravity in the motions within the galaxy and the solar system. 

• Assessment does not include Kepler’s Laws of orbital motion or the apparent retrograde motion of planets as viewed from Earth. 

SC.8.11.6.c Analyze and interpret data to determine scale properties of objects in the solar system. 

• Assessment does not include recalling facts about properties of the planets and other solar system bodies. 

SC.8.14 History of Earth 

SC.8.14.7 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence to explain Earth’s history. 

SC.8.14.7.a Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence found within rock strata, including index fossils, for how the geologic time scale is used to organize Earth’s 4.6-billion-year-old history. 

• Assessment does not include recalling the names of specific periods or epochs and events within them.

SC.8.1 Forces and Interactions 

SC.8.1.1 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of forces and interactions. 

SC.8.1.1.a Apply Newton’s Third Law to design a solution to a problem involving the motion of two colliding objects. 

• Assessment is limited to vertical or horizontal interactions in one dimension. 

SC.8.1.1.b Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved. 

SC.8.1.1.c Plan an investigation to provide evidence of Newton’s Laws that the change in an object’s motion depends on the sum of the forces on the object and the mass of the object. 

• Assessment is limited to forces and changes in motion in one-dimension in an inertial reference frame and to change in one variable at a time; does not include use of trigonometry. 

SC.8.1.1.d Ask questions about data to determine the factors that affect the strength of electrical and magnetic forces. 

• Assessment about questions that require quantitative answers is limited to proportional reasoning and algebraic thinking. 

SC.8.1.1.e Construct and present arguments using evidence to support the claim that gravitational interactions are attractive and depend on both the mass and distance of interacting objects. 

• Assessment does not include Newton’s Law of Gravitation or Kepler’s Laws. 

SC.8.1.1.f Conduct an investigation and evaluate the experimental design to provide evidence that electrical and magnetic fields exist between objects exerting forces on each other even though the objects are not in contact. 

• Assessment is limited to electric and magnetic fields, and limited to qualitative evidence for the existence of fields. 

SC.8.2 Waves and Electromagnetic Radiation 

SC.8.2.2 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of waves and electromagnetic radiation. 

SC.8.2.2.a Use mathematical representations to describe a simple model for waves that includes how the amplitude of a wave is related to the energy in a wave. 

• Assessment does not include electromagnetic waves and is limited to standard repeating waves.

SC.8.2.2.b Develop and use a model to describe that Light and mechanical waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materials. 

• Assessment is limited to qualitative applications pertaining to light and mechanical waves. 

SC.8.2.2.c Gather and make sense of information to support the claim that the structure of analog and digital signals allows for encoding and transmission of information. 

SC.8.4 Energy 

SC.8.4.3 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of energy. 

SC.8.4.3.a Construct and interpret graphical displays of data to describe the relationships of kinetic energy to the mass and speed of an object. 

SC.8.4.3.b Develop a model to describe that when the arrangement of objects interacting at a distance changes, then different amounts of potential energy are stored in the system. 

• Assessment is limited to two objects.  

• Assessment is limited to electric, magnetic, and gravitational interactions.

SC.8.9 Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits

SC.8.9.4 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of the inheritance and variation of traits.

SC.8.9.4.a Develop and use a model to describe why structural changes to genes (mutations) may result in harmful, beneficial, or neutral effects to structure and function of organisms. 

• Assessment does not include specific changes at the molecular level, mechanisms for protein synthesis, or specific types of mutations. 

SC.8.9.4.b Gather and synthesize information about technologies that have changed the way humans influence inheritance of desired traits in organisms. 

SC.8.10 Natural Selection and Adaptations 

SC.8.10.5 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of natural selection and adaptations. 

SC.8.10.5.a  Analyze and interpret data for patterns in the fossil record that document the existence, diversity, extinction, and change of life forms throughout the history of life on Earth under the assumption that natural laws operate today as in the past. 

• Assessment does not include the names of individual species or geological eras in the fossil record. 

SC.8.10.5.b Apply scientific ideas to construct an explanation for the anatomical similarities and differences among and between modern and fossil organisms to infer evolutionary relationships. 

SC.8.10.5.c Construct an explanation based on evidence that describes how genetic variations of traits in a population increase some individuals’ probability of surviving and reproducing in a specific environment. 

SC.8.10.5.d Use mathematical representations to support explanations of how natural selection may lead to increases and decreases of specific traits in populations over time. 

• Assessment does not include Hardy Weinberg calculations. 

SC.8.11 Space Systems

SC.8.11.6 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of the interactions among bodies in space. 

SC.8.11.6.a Develop and use a model of the Earth-sun-moon system to describe the cyclic patterns of lunar phases, eclipses of the sun and moon, and seasons. 

SC.8.11.6.b Develop and use a model to describe the role of gravity in the motions within the galaxy and the solar system. 

• Assessment does not include Kepler’s Laws of orbital motion or the apparent retrograde motion of planets as viewed from Earth. 

SC.8.11.6.c Analyze and interpret data to determine scale properties of objects in the solar system. 

• Assessment does not include recalling facts about properties of the planets and other solar system bodies. 

SC.8.14 History of Earth 

SC.8.14.7 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence to explain Earth’s history. 

SC.8.14.7.a Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence found within rock strata, including index fossils, for how the geologic time scale is used to organize Earth’s 4.6-billion-year-old history. 

• Assessment does not include recalling the names of specific periods or epochs and events within them.

SC.8.1 Forces and Interactions 

SC.8.1.1 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of forces and interactions. 

SC.8.1.1.a Apply Newton’s Third Law to design a solution to a problem involving the motion of two colliding objects. 

• Assessment is limited to vertical or horizontal interactions in one dimension. 

SC.8.1.1.b Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved. 

SC.8.1.1.c Plan an investigation to provide evidence of Newton’s Laws that the change in an object’s motion depends on the sum of the forces on the object and the mass of the object. 

• Assessment is limited to forces and changes in motion in one-dimension in an inertial reference frame and to change in one variable at a time; does not include use of trigonometry. 

SC.8.1.1.d Ask questions about data to determine the factors that affect the strength of electrical and magnetic forces. 

• Assessment about questions that require quantitative answers is limited to proportional reasoning and algebraic thinking. 

SC.8.1.1.e Construct and present arguments using evidence to support the claim that gravitational interactions are attractive and depend on both the mass and distance of interacting objects. 

• Assessment does not include Newton’s Law of Gravitation or Kepler’s Laws. 

SC.8.1.1.f Conduct an investigation and evaluate the experimental design to provide evidence that electrical and magnetic fields exist between objects exerting forces on each other even though the objects are not in contact. 

• Assessment is limited to electric and magnetic fields, and limited to qualitative evidence for the existence of fields. 

SC.8.2 Waves and Electromagnetic Radiation 

SC.8.2.2 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of waves and electromagnetic radiation. 

SC.8.2.2.a Use mathematical representations to describe a simple model for waves that includes how the amplitude of a wave is related to the energy in a wave. 

• Assessment does not include electromagnetic waves and is limited to standard repeating waves.

SC.8.2.2.b Develop and use a model to describe that Light and mechanical waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materials. 

• Assessment is limited to qualitative applications pertaining to light and mechanical waves. 

SC.8.2.2.c Gather and make sense of information to support the claim that the structure of analog and digital signals allows for encoding and transmission of information. 

SC.8.4 Energy 

SC.8.4.3 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of energy. 

SC.8.4.3.a Construct and interpret graphical displays of data to describe the relationships of kinetic energy to the mass and speed of an object. 

SC.8.4.3.b Develop a model to describe that when the arrangement of objects interacting at a distance changes, then different amounts of potential energy are stored in the system. 

• Assessment is limited to two objects.  

• Assessment is limited to electric, magnetic, and gravitational interactions.

SC.8.9 Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits

SC.8.9.4 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of the inheritance and variation of traits.

SC.8.9.4.a Develop and use a model to describe why structural changes to genes (mutations) may result in harmful, beneficial, or neutral effects to structure and function of organisms. 

• Assessment does not include specific changes at the molecular level, mechanisms for protein synthesis, or specific types of mutations. 

SC.8.9.4.b Gather and synthesize information about technologies that have changed the way humans influence inheritance of desired traits in organisms. 

SC.8.10 Natural Selection and Adaptations 

SC.8.10.5 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of natural selection and adaptations. 

SC.8.10.5.a  Analyze and interpret data for patterns in the fossil record that document the existence, diversity, extinction, and change of life forms throughout the history of life on Earth under the assumption that natural laws operate today as in the past. 

• Assessment does not include the names of individual species or geological eras in the fossil record. 

SC.8.10.5.b Apply scientific ideas to construct an explanation for the anatomical similarities and differences among and between modern and fossil organisms to infer evolutionary relationships. 

SC.8.10.5.c Construct an explanation based on evidence that describes how genetic variations of traits in a population increase some individuals’ probability of surviving and reproducing in a specific environment. 

SC.8.10.5.d Use mathematical representations to support explanations of how natural selection may lead to increases and decreases of specific traits in populations over time. 

• Assessment does not include Hardy Weinberg calculations. 

SC.8.11 Space Systems

SC.8.11.6 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of the interactions among bodies in space. 

SC.8.11.6.a Develop and use a model of the Earth-sun-moon system to describe the cyclic patterns of lunar phases, eclipses of the sun and moon, and seasons. 

SC.8.11.6.b Develop and use a model to describe the role of gravity in the motions within the galaxy and the solar system. 

• Assessment does not include Kepler’s Laws of orbital motion or the apparent retrograde motion of planets as viewed from Earth. 

SC.8.11.6.c Analyze and interpret data to determine scale properties of objects in the solar system. 

• Assessment does not include recalling facts about properties of the planets and other solar system bodies. 

SC.8.14 History of Earth 

SC.8.14.7 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence to explain Earth’s history. 

SC.8.14.7.a Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence found within rock strata, including index fossils, for how the geologic time scale is used to organize Earth’s 4.6-billion-year-old history. 

• Assessment does not include recalling the names of specific periods or epochs and events within them.

SC.8.1 Forces and Interactions 

SC.8.1.1 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of forces and interactions. 

SC.8.1.1.a Apply Newton’s Third Law to design a solution to a problem involving the motion of two colliding objects. 

• Assessment is limited to vertical or horizontal interactions in one dimension. 

SC.8.1.1.b Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved. 

SC.8.1.1.c Plan an investigation to provide evidence of Newton’s Laws that the change in an object’s motion depends on the sum of the forces on the object and the mass of the object. 

• Assessment is limited to forces and changes in motion in one-dimension in an inertial reference frame and to change in one variable at a time; does not include use of trigonometry. 

SC.8.1.1.d Ask questions about data to determine the factors that affect the strength of electrical and magnetic forces. 

• Assessment about questions that require quantitative answers is limited to proportional reasoning and algebraic thinking. 

SC.8.1.1.e Construct and present arguments using evidence to support the claim that gravitational interactions are attractive and depend on both the mass and distance of interacting objects. 

• Assessment does not include Newton’s Law of Gravitation or Kepler’s Laws. 

SC.8.1.1.f Conduct an investigation and evaluate the experimental design to provide evidence that electrical and magnetic fields exist between objects exerting forces on each other even though the objects are not in contact. 

• Assessment is limited to electric and magnetic fields, and limited to qualitative evidence for the existence of fields. 

SC.8.2 Waves and Electromagnetic Radiation 

SC.8.2.2 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of waves and electromagnetic radiation. 

SC.8.2.2.a Use mathematical representations to describe a simple model for waves that includes how the amplitude of a wave is related to the energy in a wave. 

• Assessment does not include electromagnetic waves and is limited to standard repeating waves.

SC.8.2.2.b Develop and use a model to describe that Light and mechanical waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materials. 

• Assessment is limited to qualitative applications pertaining to light and mechanical waves. 

SC.8.2.2.c Gather and make sense of information to support the claim that the structure of analog and digital signals allows for encoding and transmission of information. 

SC.8.4 Energy 

SC.8.4.3 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of energy. 

SC.8.4.3.a Construct and interpret graphical displays of data to describe the relationships of kinetic energy to the mass and speed of an object. 

SC.8.4.3.b Develop a model to describe that when the arrangement of objects interacting at a distance changes, then different amounts of potential energy are stored in the system. 

• Assessment is limited to two objects.  

• Assessment is limited to electric, magnetic, and gravitational interactions.

SC.8.9 Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits

SC.8.9.4 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of the inheritance and variation of traits.

SC.8.9.4.a Develop and use a model to describe why structural changes to genes (mutations) may result in harmful, beneficial, or neutral effects to structure and function of organisms. 

• Assessment does not include specific changes at the molecular level, mechanisms for protein synthesis, or specific types of mutations. 

SC.8.9.4.b Gather and synthesize information about technologies that have changed the way humans influence inheritance of desired traits in organisms. 

SC.8.10 Natural Selection and Adaptations 

SC.8.10.5 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of natural selection and adaptations. 

SC.8.10.5.a  Analyze and interpret data for patterns in the fossil record that document the existence, diversity, extinction, and change of life forms throughout the history of life on Earth under the assumption that natural laws operate today as in the past. 

• Assessment does not include the names of individual species or geological eras in the fossil record. 

SC.8.10.5.b Apply scientific ideas to construct an explanation for the anatomical similarities and differences among and between modern and fossil organisms to infer evolutionary relationships. 

SC.8.10.5.c Construct an explanation based on evidence that describes how genetic variations of traits in a population increase some individuals’ probability of surviving and reproducing in a specific environment. 

SC.8.10.5.d Use mathematical representations to support explanations of how natural selection may lead to increases and decreases of specific traits in populations over time. 

• Assessment does not include Hardy Weinberg calculations. 

SC.8.11 Space Systems

SC.8.11.6 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of the interactions among bodies in space. 

SC.8.11.6.a Develop and use a model of the Earth-sun-moon system to describe the cyclic patterns of lunar phases, eclipses of the sun and moon, and seasons. 

SC.8.11.6.b Develop and use a model to describe the role of gravity in the motions within the galaxy and the solar system. 

• Assessment does not include Kepler’s Laws of orbital motion or the apparent retrograde motion of planets as viewed from Earth. 

SC.8.11.6.c Analyze and interpret data to determine scale properties of objects in the solar system. 

• Assessment does not include recalling facts about properties of the planets and other solar system bodies. 

SC.8.14 History of Earth 

SC.8.14.7 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence to explain Earth’s history. 

SC.8.14.7.a Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence found within rock strata, including index fossils, for how the geologic time scale is used to organize Earth’s 4.6-billion-year-old history. 

• Assessment does not include recalling the names of specific periods or epochs and events within them.

SC.8.1 Forces and Interactions 

SC.8.1.1 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of forces and interactions. 

SC.8.1.1.a Apply Newton’s Third Law to design a solution to a problem involving the motion of two colliding objects. 

• Assessment is limited to vertical or horizontal interactions in one dimension. 

SC.8.1.1.b Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved. 

SC.8.1.1.c Plan an investigation to provide evidence of Newton’s Laws that the change in an object’s motion depends on the sum of the forces on the object and the mass of the object. 

• Assessment is limited to forces and changes in motion in one-dimension in an inertial reference frame and to change in one variable at a time; does not include use of trigonometry. 

SC.8.1.1.d Ask questions about data to determine the factors that affect the strength of electrical and magnetic forces. 

• Assessment about questions that require quantitative answers is limited to proportional reasoning and algebraic thinking. 

SC.8.1.1.e Construct and present arguments using evidence to support the claim that gravitational interactions are attractive and depend on both the mass and distance of interacting objects. 

• Assessment does not include Newton’s Law of Gravitation or Kepler’s Laws. 

SC.8.1.1.f Conduct an investigation and evaluate the experimental design to provide evidence that electrical and magnetic fields exist between objects exerting forces on each other even though the objects are not in contact. 

• Assessment is limited to electric and magnetic fields, and limited to qualitative evidence for the existence of fields. 

SC.8.2 Waves and Electromagnetic Radiation 

SC.8.2.2 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of waves and electromagnetic radiation. 

SC.8.2.2.a Use mathematical representations to describe a simple model for waves that includes how the amplitude of a wave is related to the energy in a wave. 

• Assessment does not include electromagnetic waves and is limited to standard repeating waves.

SC.8.2.2.b Develop and use a model to describe that Light and mechanical waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materials. 

• Assessment is limited to qualitative applications pertaining to light and mechanical waves. 

SC.8.2.2.c Gather and make sense of information to support the claim that the structure of analog and digital signals allows for encoding and transmission of information. 

SC.8.4 Energy 

SC.8.4.3 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of energy. 

SC.8.4.3.a Construct and interpret graphical displays of data to describe the relationships of kinetic energy to the mass and speed of an object. 

SC.8.4.3.b Develop a model to describe that when the arrangement of objects interacting at a distance changes, then different amounts of potential energy are stored in the system. 

• Assessment is limited to two objects.  

• Assessment is limited to electric, magnetic, and gravitational interactions.

SC.8.9 Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits

SC.8.9.4 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of the inheritance and variation of traits.

SC.8.9.4.a Develop and use a model to describe why structural changes to genes (mutations) may result in harmful, beneficial, or neutral effects to structure and function of organisms. 

• Assessment does not include specific changes at the molecular level, mechanisms for protein synthesis, or specific types of mutations. 

SC.8.9.4.b Gather and synthesize information about technologies that have changed the way humans influence inheritance of desired traits in organisms. 

SC.8.10 Natural Selection and Adaptations 

SC.8.10.5 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of natural selection and adaptations. 

SC.8.10.5.a  Analyze and interpret data for patterns in the fossil record that document the existence, diversity, extinction, and change of life forms throughout the history of life on Earth under the assumption that natural laws operate today as in the past. 

• Assessment does not include the names of individual species or geological eras in the fossil record. 

SC.8.10.5.b Apply scientific ideas to construct an explanation for the anatomical similarities and differences among and between modern and fossil organisms to infer evolutionary relationships. 

SC.8.10.5.c Construct an explanation based on evidence that describes how genetic variations of traits in a population increase some individuals’ probability of surviving and reproducing in a specific environment. 

SC.8.10.5.d Use mathematical representations to support explanations of how natural selection may lead to increases and decreases of specific traits in populations over time. 

• Assessment does not include Hardy Weinberg calculations. 

SC.8.11 Space Systems

SC.8.11.6 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of the interactions among bodies in space. 

SC.8.11.6.a Develop and use a model of the Earth-sun-moon system to describe the cyclic patterns of lunar phases, eclipses of the sun and moon, and seasons. 

SC.8.11.6.b Develop and use a model to describe the role of gravity in the motions within the galaxy and the solar system. 

• Assessment does not include Kepler’s Laws of orbital motion or the apparent retrograde motion of planets as viewed from Earth. 

SC.8.11.6.c Analyze and interpret data to determine scale properties of objects in the solar system. 

• Assessment does not include recalling facts about properties of the planets and other solar system bodies. 

SC.8.14 History of Earth 

SC.8.14.7 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence to explain Earth’s history. 

SC.8.14.7.a Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence found within rock strata, including index fossils, for how the geologic time scale is used to organize Earth’s 4.6-billion-year-old history. 

• Assessment does not include recalling the names of specific periods or epochs and events within them.

SC.8.1 Forces and Interactions 

SC.8.1.1 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of forces and interactions. 

SC.8.1.1.a Apply Newton’s Third Law to design a solution to a problem involving the motion of two colliding objects. 

• Assessment is limited to vertical or horizontal interactions in one dimension. 

SC.8.1.1.b Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved. 

SC.8.1.1.c Plan an investigation to provide evidence of Newton’s Laws that the change in an object’s motion depends on the sum of the forces on the object and the mass of the object. 

• Assessment is limited to forces and changes in motion in one-dimension in an inertial reference frame and to change in one variable at a time; does not include use of trigonometry. 

SC.8.1.1.d Ask questions about data to determine the factors that affect the strength of electrical and magnetic forces. 

• Assessment about questions that require quantitative answers is limited to proportional reasoning and algebraic thinking. 

SC.8.1.1.e Construct and present arguments using evidence to support the claim that gravitational interactions are attractive and depend on both the mass and distance of interacting objects. 

• Assessment does not include Newton’s Law of Gravitation or Kepler’s Laws. 

SC.8.1.1.f Conduct an investigation and evaluate the experimental design to provide evidence that electrical and magnetic fields exist between objects exerting forces on each other even though the objects are not in contact. 

• Assessment is limited to electric and magnetic fields, and limited to qualitative evidence for the existence of fields. 

SC.8.2 Waves and Electromagnetic Radiation 

SC.8.2.2 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of waves and electromagnetic radiation. 

SC.8.2.2.a Use mathematical representations to describe a simple model for waves that includes how the amplitude of a wave is related to the energy in a wave. 

• Assessment does not include electromagnetic waves and is limited to standard repeating waves.

SC.8.2.2.b Develop and use a model to describe that Light and mechanical waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materials. 

• Assessment is limited to qualitative applications pertaining to light and mechanical waves. 

SC.8.2.2.c Gather and make sense of information to support the claim that the structure of analog and digital signals allows for encoding and transmission of information. 

SC.8.4 Energy 

SC.8.4.3 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of energy. 

SC.8.4.3.a Construct and interpret graphical displays of data to describe the relationships of kinetic energy to the mass and speed of an object. 

SC.8.4.3.b Develop a model to describe that when the arrangement of objects interacting at a distance changes, then different amounts of potential energy are stored in the system. 

• Assessment is limited to two objects.  

• Assessment is limited to electric, magnetic, and gravitational interactions.

SC.8.9 Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits

SC.8.9.4 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of the inheritance and variation of traits.

SC.8.9.4.a Develop and use a model to describe why structural changes to genes (mutations) may result in harmful, beneficial, or neutral effects to structure and function of organisms. 

• Assessment does not include specific changes at the molecular level, mechanisms for protein synthesis, or specific types of mutations. 

SC.8.9.4.b Gather and synthesize information about technologies that have changed the way humans influence inheritance of desired traits in organisms. 

SC.8.10 Natural Selection and Adaptations 

SC.8.10.5 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of natural selection and adaptations. 

SC.8.10.5.a  Analyze and interpret data for patterns in the fossil record that document the existence, diversity, extinction, and change of life forms throughout the history of life on Earth under the assumption that natural laws operate today as in the past. 

• Assessment does not include the names of individual species or geological eras in the fossil record. 

SC.8.10.5.b Apply scientific ideas to construct an explanation for the anatomical similarities and differences among and between modern and fossil organisms to infer evolutionary relationships. 

SC.8.10.5.c Construct an explanation based on evidence that describes how genetic variations of traits in a population increase some individuals’ probability of surviving and reproducing in a specific environment. 

SC.8.10.5.d Use mathematical representations to support explanations of how natural selection may lead to increases and decreases of specific traits in populations over time. 

• Assessment does not include Hardy Weinberg calculations. 

SC.8.11 Space Systems

SC.8.11.6 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of the interactions among bodies in space. 

SC.8.11.6.a Develop and use a model of the Earth-sun-moon system to describe the cyclic patterns of lunar phases, eclipses of the sun and moon, and seasons. 

SC.8.11.6.b Develop and use a model to describe the role of gravity in the motions within the galaxy and the solar system. 

• Assessment does not include Kepler’s Laws of orbital motion or the apparent retrograde motion of planets as viewed from Earth. 

SC.8.11.6.c Analyze and interpret data to determine scale properties of objects in the solar system. 

• Assessment does not include recalling facts about properties of the planets and other solar system bodies. 

SC.8.14 History of Earth 

SC.8.14.7 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence to explain Earth’s history. 

SC.8.14.7.a Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence found within rock strata, including index fossils, for how the geologic time scale is used to organize Earth’s 4.6-billion-year-old history. 

• Assessment does not include recalling the names of specific periods or epochs and events within them.

SC.8.1 Forces and Interactions 

SC.8.1.1 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of forces and interactions. 

SC.8.1.1.a Apply Newton’s Third Law to design a solution to a problem involving the motion of two colliding objects. 

• Assessment is limited to vertical or horizontal interactions in one dimension. 

SC.8.1.1.b Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved. 

SC.8.1.1.c Plan an investigation to provide evidence of Newton’s Laws that the change in an object’s motion depends on the sum of the forces on the object and the mass of the object. 

• Assessment is limited to forces and changes in motion in one-dimension in an inertial reference frame and to change in one variable at a time; does not include use of trigonometry. 

SC.8.1.1.d Ask questions about data to determine the factors that affect the strength of electrical and magnetic forces. 

• Assessment about questions that require quantitative answers is limited to proportional reasoning and algebraic thinking. 

SC.8.1.1.e Construct and present arguments using evidence to support the claim that gravitational interactions are attractive and depend on both the mass and distance of interacting objects. 

• Assessment does not include Newton’s Law of Gravitation or Kepler’s Laws. 

SC.8.1.1.f Conduct an investigation and evaluate the experimental design to provide evidence that electrical and magnetic fields exist between objects exerting forces on each other even though the objects are not in contact. 

• Assessment is limited to electric and magnetic fields, and limited to qualitative evidence for the existence of fields. 

SC.8.2 Waves and Electromagnetic Radiation 

SC.8.2.2 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of waves and electromagnetic radiation. 

SC.8.2.2.a Use mathematical representations to describe a simple model for waves that includes how the amplitude of a wave is related to the energy in a wave. 

• Assessment does not include electromagnetic waves and is limited to standard repeating waves.

SC.8.2.2.b Develop and use a model to describe that Light and mechanical waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materials. 

• Assessment is limited to qualitative applications pertaining to light and mechanical waves. 

SC.8.2.2.c Gather and make sense of information to support the claim that the structure of analog and digital signals allows for encoding and transmission of information. 

SC.8.4 Energy 

SC.8.4.3 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of energy. 

SC.8.4.3.a Construct and interpret graphical displays of data to describe the relationships of kinetic energy to the mass and speed of an object. 

SC.8.4.3.b Develop a model to describe that when the arrangement of objects interacting at a distance changes, then different amounts of potential energy are stored in the system. 

• Assessment is limited to two objects.  

• Assessment is limited to electric, magnetic, and gravitational interactions.

SC.8.9 Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits

SC.8.9.4 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of the inheritance and variation of traits.

SC.8.9.4.a Develop and use a model to describe why structural changes to genes (mutations) may result in harmful, beneficial, or neutral effects to structure and function of organisms. 

• Assessment does not include specific changes at the molecular level, mechanisms for protein synthesis, or specific types of mutations. 

SC.8.9.4.b Gather and synthesize information about technologies that have changed the way humans influence inheritance of desired traits in organisms. 

SC.8.10 Natural Selection and Adaptations 

SC.8.10.5 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of natural selection and adaptations. 

SC.8.10.5.a  Analyze and interpret data for patterns in the fossil record that document the existence, diversity, extinction, and change of life forms throughout the history of life on Earth under the assumption that natural laws operate today as in the past. 

• Assessment does not include the names of individual species or geological eras in the fossil record. 

SC.8.10.5.b Apply scientific ideas to construct an explanation for the anatomical similarities and differences among and between modern and fossil organisms to infer evolutionary relationships. 

SC.8.10.5.c Construct an explanation based on evidence that describes how genetic variations of traits in a population increase some individuals’ probability of surviving and reproducing in a specific environment. 

SC.8.10.5.d Use mathematical representations to support explanations of how natural selection may lead to increases and decreases of specific traits in populations over time. 

• Assessment does not include Hardy Weinberg calculations. 

SC.8.11 Space Systems

SC.8.11.6 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of the interactions among bodies in space. 

SC.8.11.6.a Develop and use a model of the Earth-sun-moon system to describe the cyclic patterns of lunar phases, eclipses of the sun and moon, and seasons. 

SC.8.11.6.b Develop and use a model to describe the role of gravity in the motions within the galaxy and the solar system. 

• Assessment does not include Kepler’s Laws of orbital motion or the apparent retrograde motion of planets as viewed from Earth. 

SC.8.11.6.c Analyze and interpret data to determine scale properties of objects in the solar system. 

• Assessment does not include recalling facts about properties of the planets and other solar system bodies. 

SC.8.14 History of Earth 

SC.8.14.7 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence to explain Earth’s history. 

SC.8.14.7.a Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence found within rock strata, including index fossils, for how the geologic time scale is used to organize Earth’s 4.6-billion-year-old history. 

• Assessment does not include recalling the names of specific periods or epochs and events within them.

SC.8.1 Forces and Interactions 

SC.8.1.1 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of forces and interactions. 

SC.8.1.1.a Apply Newton’s Third Law to design a solution to a problem involving the motion of two colliding objects. 

• Assessment is limited to vertical or horizontal interactions in one dimension. 

SC.8.1.1.b Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved. 

SC.8.1.1.c Plan an investigation to provide evidence of Newton’s Laws that the change in an object’s motion depends on the sum of the forces on the object and the mass of the object. 

• Assessment is limited to forces and changes in motion in one-dimension in an inertial reference frame and to change in one variable at a time; does not include use of trigonometry. 

SC.8.1.1.d Ask questions about data to determine the factors that affect the strength of electrical and magnetic forces. 

• Assessment about questions that require quantitative answers is limited to proportional reasoning and algebraic thinking. 

SC.8.1.1.e Construct and present arguments using evidence to support the claim that gravitational interactions are attractive and depend on both the mass and distance of interacting objects. 

• Assessment does not include Newton’s Law of Gravitation or Kepler’s Laws. 

SC.8.1.1.f Conduct an investigation and evaluate the experimental design to provide evidence that electrical and magnetic fields exist between objects exerting forces on each other even though the objects are not in contact. 

• Assessment is limited to electric and magnetic fields, and limited to qualitative evidence for the existence of fields. 

SC.8.2 Waves and Electromagnetic Radiation 

SC.8.2.2 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of waves and electromagnetic radiation. 

SC.8.2.2.a Use mathematical representations to describe a simple model for waves that includes how the amplitude of a wave is related to the energy in a wave. 

• Assessment does not include electromagnetic waves and is limited to standard repeating waves.

SC.8.2.2.b Develop and use a model to describe that Light and mechanical waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materials. 

• Assessment is limited to qualitative applications pertaining to light and mechanical waves. 

SC.8.2.2.c Gather and make sense of information to support the claim that the structure of analog and digital signals allows for encoding and transmission of information. 

SC.8.4 Energy 

SC.8.4.3 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of energy. 

SC.8.4.3.a Construct and interpret graphical displays of data to describe the relationships of kinetic energy to the mass and speed of an object. 

SC.8.4.3.b Develop a model to describe that when the arrangement of objects interacting at a distance changes, then different amounts of potential energy are stored in the system. 

• Assessment is limited to two objects.  

• Assessment is limited to electric, magnetic, and gravitational interactions.

SC.8.9 Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits

SC.8.9.4 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of the inheritance and variation of traits.

SC.8.9.4.a Develop and use a model to describe why structural changes to genes (mutations) may result in harmful, beneficial, or neutral effects to structure and function of organisms. 

• Assessment does not include specific changes at the molecular level, mechanisms for protein synthesis, or specific types of mutations. 

SC.8.9.4.b Gather and synthesize information about technologies that have changed the way humans influence inheritance of desired traits in organisms. 

SC.8.10 Natural Selection and Adaptations 

SC.8.10.5 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of natural selection and adaptations. 

SC.8.10.5.a  Analyze and interpret data for patterns in the fossil record that document the existence, diversity, extinction, and change of life forms throughout the history of life on Earth under the assumption that natural laws operate today as in the past. 

• Assessment does not include the names of individual species or geological eras in the fossil record. 

SC.8.10.5.b Apply scientific ideas to construct an explanation for the anatomical similarities and differences among and between modern and fossil organisms to infer evolutionary relationships. 

SC.8.10.5.c Construct an explanation based on evidence that describes how genetic variations of traits in a population increase some individuals’ probability of surviving and reproducing in a specific environment. 

SC.8.10.5.d Use mathematical representations to support explanations of how natural selection may lead to increases and decreases of specific traits in populations over time. 

• Assessment does not include Hardy Weinberg calculations. 

SC.8.11 Space Systems

SC.8.11.6 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of the interactions among bodies in space. 

SC.8.11.6.a Develop and use a model of the Earth-sun-moon system to describe the cyclic patterns of lunar phases, eclipses of the sun and moon, and seasons. 

SC.8.11.6.b Develop and use a model to describe the role of gravity in the motions within the galaxy and the solar system. 

• Assessment does not include Kepler’s Laws of orbital motion or the apparent retrograde motion of planets as viewed from Earth. 

SC.8.11.6.c Analyze and interpret data to determine scale properties of objects in the solar system. 

• Assessment does not include recalling facts about properties of the planets and other solar system bodies. 

SC.8.14 History of Earth 

SC.8.14.7 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence to explain Earth’s history. 

SC.8.14.7.a Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence found within rock strata, including index fossils, for how the geologic time scale is used to organize Earth’s 4.6-billion-year-old history. 

• Assessment does not include recalling the names of specific periods or epochs and events within them.

SC.8.1 Forces and Interactions 

SC.8.1.1 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of forces and interactions. 

SC.8.1.1.a Apply Newton’s Third Law to design a solution to a problem involving the motion of two colliding objects. 

• Assessment is limited to vertical or horizontal interactions in one dimension. 

SC.8.1.1.b Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved. 

SC.8.1.1.c Plan an investigation to provide evidence of Newton’s Laws that the change in an object’s motion depends on the sum of the forces on the object and the mass of the object. 

• Assessment is limited to forces and changes in motion in one-dimension in an inertial reference frame and to change in one variable at a time; does not include use of trigonometry. 

SC.8.1.1.d Ask questions about data to determine the factors that affect the strength of electrical and magnetic forces. 

• Assessment about questions that require quantitative answers is limited to proportional reasoning and algebraic thinking. 

SC.8.1.1.e Construct and present arguments using evidence to support the claim that gravitational interactions are attractive and depend on both the mass and distance of interacting objects. 

• Assessment does not include Newton’s Law of Gravitation or Kepler’s Laws. 

SC.8.1.1.f Conduct an investigation and evaluate the experimental design to provide evidence that electrical and magnetic fields exist between objects exerting forces on each other even though the objects are not in contact. 

• Assessment is limited to electric and magnetic fields, and limited to qualitative evidence for the existence of fields. 

SC.8.2 Waves and Electromagnetic Radiation 

SC.8.2.2 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of waves and electromagnetic radiation. 

SC.8.2.2.a Use mathematical representations to describe a simple model for waves that includes how the amplitude of a wave is related to the energy in a wave. 

• Assessment does not include electromagnetic waves and is limited to standard repeating waves.

SC.8.2.2.b Develop and use a model to describe that Light and mechanical waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materials. 

• Assessment is limited to qualitative applications pertaining to light and mechanical waves. 

SC.8.2.2.c Gather and make sense of information to support the claim that the structure of analog and digital signals allows for encoding and transmission of information. 

SC.8.4 Energy 

SC.8.4.3 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of energy. 

SC.8.4.3.a Construct and interpret graphical displays of data to describe the relationships of kinetic energy to the mass and speed of an object. 

SC.8.4.3.b Develop a model to describe that when the arrangement of objects interacting at a distance changes, then different amounts of potential energy are stored in the system. 

• Assessment is limited to two objects.  

• Assessment is limited to electric, magnetic, and gravitational interactions.

SC.8.9 Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits

SC.8.9.4 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of the inheritance and variation of traits.

SC.8.9.4.a Develop and use a model to describe why structural changes to genes (mutations) may result in harmful, beneficial, or neutral effects to structure and function of organisms. 

• Assessment does not include specific changes at the molecular level, mechanisms for protein synthesis, or specific types of mutations. 

SC.8.9.4.b Gather and synthesize information about technologies that have changed the way humans influence inheritance of desired traits in organisms. 

SC.8.10 Natural Selection and Adaptations 

SC.8.10.5 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of natural selection and adaptations. 

SC.8.10.5.a  Analyze and interpret data for patterns in the fossil record that document the existence, diversity, extinction, and change of life forms throughout the history of life on Earth under the assumption that natural laws operate today as in the past. 

• Assessment does not include the names of individual species or geological eras in the fossil record. 

SC.8.10.5.b Apply scientific ideas to construct an explanation for the anatomical similarities and differences among and between modern and fossil organisms to infer evolutionary relationships. 

SC.8.10.5.c Construct an explanation based on evidence that describes how genetic variations of traits in a population increase some individuals’ probability of surviving and reproducing in a specific environment. 

SC.8.10.5.d Use mathematical representations to support explanations of how natural selection may lead to increases and decreases of specific traits in populations over time. 

• Assessment does not include Hardy Weinberg calculations. 

SC.8.11 Space Systems

SC.8.11.6 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence of the interactions among bodies in space. 

SC.8.11.6.a Develop and use a model of the Earth-sun-moon system to describe the cyclic patterns of lunar phases, eclipses of the sun and moon, and seasons. 

SC.8.11.6.b Develop and use a model to describe the role of gravity in the motions within the galaxy and the solar system. 

• Assessment does not include Kepler’s Laws of orbital motion or the apparent retrograde motion of planets as viewed from Earth. 

SC.8.11.6.c Analyze and interpret data to determine scale properties of objects in the solar system. 

• Assessment does not include recalling facts about properties of the planets and other solar system bodies. 

SC.8.14 History of Earth 

SC.8.14.7 Gather, analyze, and communicate evidence to explain Earth’s history. 

SC.8.14.7.a Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence found within rock strata, including index fossils, for how the geologic time scale is used to organize Earth’s 4.6-billion-year-old history. 

• Assessment does not include recalling the names of specific periods or epochs and events within them.