demonstrate safe practices during field and laboratory investigations; and (8.1A)
make wise choices in the use and conservation of resources and the disposal or recycling of materials (8.1B).

plan and implement investigative procedures including asking questions, formulating testable hypotheses, and selecting and using equipment and technology (8.2A);
collect data by observing and measuring (8.2B);
organize, analyze, evaluate, make inferences, and predict trends from direct and indirect evidence (8.2C);
communicate valid conclusions; and (8.2D)
construct graphs, tables, maps, and charts using tools including computers to organize, examine, and evaluate data (8.2E).

analyze, review, and critique scientific explanations, including hypotheses and theories, as to their strengths and weaknesses using scientific evidence and information (8.3A);
draw inferences based on data related to promotional materials for products and services (8.3B);
represent the natural world using models and identify their limitations (8.3C);
evaluate the impact of research on scientific thought, society, and the environment; and (8.3D)
connect Grade 8 science concepts with the history of science and contributions of scientists (8.3E).

collect, record, and analyze information using tools including beakers, petri dishes, meter sticks, graduated cylinders, weather instruments, hot plates, dissecting equipment, test tubes, safety goggles, spring scales, balances, microscopes, telescopes, thermometers, calculators, field equipment, computers, computer probes, water test kits, and timing devices; and (8.4A)
extrapolate from collected information to make predictions (8.4B).

identify a design problem and propose a solution (8.5A)
design and test a model to solve the problem; and (8.5B)
evaluate the model and make recommendations for improving the model (8.5C).

describe interactions among systems in the human organism (8.6A)
identify feedback mechanisms that maintain equilibrium of systems such as body temperature, turgor pressure, and chemical reactions (8.6B)
describe interactions within ecosystems (8.6C).

demonstrate how unbalanced forces cause changes in the speed or direction of an object's motion (8.7A)
recognize that waves are generated and can travel through different media (8.7B)

Science Concepts.The student knows that matter is composed of atoms. The student is expected to (8.8):

describe the structure and parts of an atom (8.8A)
identify the properties of an atom including mass and electrical charge (8.8B)

demonstrate that substances may react chemically to form new substances (8.9A)
interpret information on the periodic table to understand that physical properties are used to group elements (8.9B)
recognize the importance of formulas and equations to express what happens in a chemical reaction (8.9C)
identify that physical and chemical properties influence the development and application of everyday materials such as cooking surfaces, insulation, adhesives, and plastics (8.9D)

illustrate interactions between matter and energy including specific heat (8.10A)
describe interactions among solar, weather, and ocean systems (8.10B)
identify and demonstrate that loss or gain of heat energy occurs during exothermic and endothermic chemical reactions (8.10C)

identify that change in environmental conditions can affect the survival of individuals and of species (8.11A)
distinguish between inherited traits and other characteristics that result from interactions with the environment (8.11B)
make predictions about possible outcomes of various genetic combinations of inherited characteristics (8.11C)

analyze and predict the sequence of events in the lunar and rock cycles (8.12A)
relate the role of oceans to climatic changes (8.12B)
predict the results of modifying the Earth's nitrogen, water, and carbon cycles (8.12C)

Science Concepts. The student knows characteristics of the universe. The student is expected to (8.13):

describe characteristics of the universe such as stars and galaxies (8.13A)
explain the use of light years to describe distances in the universe (8.13B)
research and describe historical scientific theories of the origin of the universe (8.13C)

Science Concepts. The student knows that natural events and human activities can alter Earth systems. The student is expected to (8.14):

predict land features resulting from gradual changes such as mountain building, beach erosion, land subsidence, and continental drift (8.14A)
analyze how natural or human events may have contributed to the extinction of some species (8.14B)
describe how human activities have modified soil, water, and air quality (8.14C)

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