8th Grade Science
The following learning targets represent the major concepts studied and assessed in this course.
Semester 1
Unit 1: Cells and Photosynthesis
- Use models and data from investigations as evidence that living things are made of cells.
- Develop models to describe the function of cells or how parts of cells work together.
- Critique an argument of how interacting groups of cells perform life functions.
Unit 2: Body Systems
- Critique an argument of how interacting groups of cells perform life functions.
- Identify evidence that body systems interact to carry out key body functions.
Unit 3: Ecology
- Analyze data to provide evidence for the effects of resource availability on individual organisms and populations of organisms in an ecosystem.
- Make generalized hypotheses about interaction patterns among biotic or abiotic factors in ecosystems.
- Develop a model which describes the cycling of matter and flow of energy among living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem.
- Construct an argument on how physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations.
- Evaluate the benefits and limitations of a design maintaining an ecosystem.
Semester 2
Unit 4: Reproduction and Genetics
- Describe the pros and cons of asexual and sexual reproduction.
- Explain the similarities and differences of asexual and sexual reproduction.
- Explain how genetic variations affect an organism's survival chances.
- Evaluate science technologies and their effect on genetic engineering traits.
Unit 5: Natural Selection
- Analyze data to explain patterns of relatedness of organisms and fossils based on anatomy.
- Interpret graphical representations to support how natural selection may lead to increases and decreases of specific traits in populations over time.
Unit 6: Science, Technology, and Engineering Design
- Develop a model that generates data to test proposed ideas.
- Evaluate and analyze multiple designs to identify the best possible solution to a problem.