8^th Grade Science Essentials

Systems

Analyze how the parts of a system interconnect and influence each other.

• Describe the interactions and influences between two or more simple systems.

Inquiry

Understand how to plan for and conduct a scientific investigation.

• Make a logical plan for scientific controlled investigation including a prediction, materials, one controlled variables, one manipulated variable, responding variable, record data, multiple trials.
• Apply understanding of how to construct a scientific explanation using evidence and logic.

Applications

Apply the scientific design process to develop and implement solutions to problems or challenges.

• Generate a solution a problem or challenge include define the problem, collect information, explore ideas, create a plan, list the steps, test solutions and document the process.
• Explain possible reasons for the effectiveness of a solution.

Analyses of systems through inquiry and application will guide the study of the Physical, Living and Earth/Space Systems.

Physical Systems

Describe how properties are used to identify and categorize substances, materials and objects.

Describe the behavior of waves.

• Wave properties: amplitude, wavelength, speed, reflection, transmission, absorption

Describe and compare different forms of energy

• Compare the potential and kinetic energy within a system

Earth and Space Systems:

Describe and compare the structure and motions of the Solar System.

Living Systems:

Understand and classify organisms by their external and internal structures.

• Infer whether organisms have a biological relationship or a common ancestry

Understand that specialized cells within multicellular organisms form different kinds of tissues, organs, and organ systems to carry out life functions.

• Describe the life functions of specialized cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems

Describe and explain how organisms pass on genetic information in their life cycle and that an organism’s characteristics are determined by both genetic and environmental influences.

Describe and compare human life functions and the interconnecting organ systems necessary to maintain human life.

• Compare human body systems to another organism’s body system