Ohio's Academic Content Standards in Science

By the end of grade 8

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Earth and Space Sciences
Students demonstrate an understanding about how Earth systems and processes interact in the geosphere resulting in the habitability of Earth. This includes demonstrating an understanding of the composition of the Universe, the Solar System and Earth. In addition, it includes understanding the properties and the interconnected nature of Earth's systems, processes that shape Earth and Earth's history. Students also demonstrate an understanding of how the concepts and principles of energy, matter, motion and forces explain Earth systems, the Solar System, and the Universe. Finally, they grasp an understanding of the historical perspectives, scientific approaches and emerging scientific issues associated with Earth and space sciences. Indicators for grade 8 1. Describe how objects in the Solar System are in regular and predictable motions that explain such phenomena as days, years, seasons, eclipses, tides and moon cycles. (ORC Resources) 2. Explain that gravitational force is the dominant force determining motions in the Solar System and in particular keeps the planets in orbit around the Sun. (ORC Resources) 3. Compare the orbits and composition of comets and asteroids with that of Earth. (ORC Resources) 4. Describe the effect that asteroids or meteoroids have when moving through space and sometimes entering planetary atmospheres (e.g., meteor-"shooting star" and meteorite). (ORC Resources) 5. Explain that the universe consists of billions of galaxies that are classified by shape. (ORC Resources) 6. Explain interstellar distances are measured in light years (e.g., the nearest star beyond the sun is 4.3 light years away). (ORC Resources) 7. Examine the life cycle of a star and predict the next likely stage of a star. (ORC Resources) 8. Name and describe tools used to study the universe (e.g., telescopes, probes, satellites and spacecraft). (ORC Resources) 9. Describe the interior structure of Earth and Earth's crust as divided into tectonic plates riding on top of the slow moving currents of magma in the mantle. (ORC Resources) 10. Explain that most major geological events (e.g., earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, hot spots and mountain building) result from plate motion. (ORC Resources) 11. Use models to analyze the size and shape of Earth, its surface and its interior (e.g., globes, topographic maps, satellite images). (ORC Resources) 12. Explain that some processes involved in the rock cycle are directly related to thermal energy and forces in the mantle that drive plate motions. (ORC Resources) 13. Describe how landforms are created through a combination of destructive (e.g., weathering and erosion) and constructive processes (e.g., crustal deformation, volcanic eruptions and deposition of sediment). (ORC Resources) 14. Explain that folding, faulting and uplifting can rearrange the rock layers so the youngest is not always found on top. (ORC Resources) 15. Illustrate how the three primary types of plate boundaries (transform, divergent and convergent) cause different landforms (e.g., mountains, volcanoes, ocean trenches). (ORC Resources)

Life Sciences
Students demonstrate an understanding of how living systems function and how they interact with the physical environment. This includes an understanding of the cycling of matter and flow of energy in living systems. An understanding of the characteristics, structure, and function of cells, of organisms and of living systems are developed as well as a deeper understanding of the principles of heredity, biological evolution, and the diversity and interdependence of life. Students also demonstrate an understanding of different historical perspectives, scientific approaches and emerging scientific issues associated with the life sciences. Indicators for grade 8 1. Describe that asexual reproduction limits the spread of detrimental characteristics through a species and allows for genetic continuity. (ORC Resources) 2. Recognize that in sexual reproduction new combinations of traits are produced which may increase or decrease an organism's chances for survival. (ORC Resources) 3. Explain how variations in structure, behavior or physiology allow some organisms to enhance their reproductive success and survival in a particular environment. (ORC Resources) 4. Explain that diversity of species is developed through gradual processes over many generations (e.g., fossil record). (ORC Resources) 5. Investigate how an organism adapted to a particular environment may become extinct if the environment, as shown by the fossil record, changes. (ORC Resources)

Physical Sciences
Students demonstrate an understanding of the composition of physical systems and the concepts and principles that describe and predict physical interactions and events in the natural world. This includes demonstrating an understanding of the structure and properties of matter, the properties of materials and objects, chemical reactions and the conservation of matter. In addition, it includes understanding the nature, transfer and conservation of energy, as well as motion and the forces affecting motion, the nature of waves and interactions of matter and energy. Students also demonstrate an understanding of the historical perspectives, scientific approaches and emerging scientific issues associated with the physical sciences. Indicators for grade 8 1. Describe how the change in the position (motion) of an object is always judged and described in comparison to a reference point. (ORC Resources) 2. Explain that motion describes the change in the position of an object (characterized by a speed and direction) as time changes. (ORC Resources) 3. Explain that an unbalanced force acting on an object changes that object's speed and/or direction. (ORC Resources) 4. Demonstrate that waves transfer energy. (ORC Resources) 5. Demonstrate that vibrations in materials may produce waves that spread away from the source in all directions (e.g., earthquake waves, sound waves). (ORC Resources)

Science and Technology
Students should recognize that science and technology are interconnected and that using technology involves assessment of the benefits, risks, and costs. Students should build scientific and technological knowledge, as well as the skill required to design and construct devices. In addition, they should develop the processes to solve problems and to understand that problems may be solved in several ways. Indicators for grade 8 1. Examine how science and technology have advanced through the contributions of many different people, cultures and times in history. (ORC Resources) 2. Examine how choices regarding the use of technology are influenced by constraints caused by various unavoidable factors (e.g., geographic location, limited resources, social, political and economic considerations). (ORC Resources) 3. Design and build a product or create a solution to a problem given more than two constraints (e.g., limits of cost and time for design and production, supply of materials and environmental effects). (ORC Resources) 4. Evaluate the overall effectiveness of a product design or solution. (ORC Resources)

Scientific Inquiry
Students develop scientific habits of mind as they use the processes of scientific inquiry to ask valid questions, and to gather and analyze information. They understand how to develop hypotheses and make predictions. They are able to reflect on scientific practices as they develop plans of action to create and evaluate a variety of conclusions. Students are also able to demonstrate the ability to communicate their findings to others. Indicators for grade 8 1. Choose the appropriate tools or instruments and use relevant safety procedures to complete scientific investigations. (ORC Resources) 2. Describe the concepts of sample size and control and explain how these affect scientific investigations. (ORC Resources) 3. Read, construct and interpret data in various forms produced by self and others in both written and oral form (e.g., tables, charts, maps, graphs, diagrams, symbols). (ORC Resources) 4. Apply appropriate math skills to interpret quantitative data (e.g., mean, median, mode). (ORC Resources)

Scientific Ways of Knowing
Students realize that the current body of scientific knowledge must be based on evidence, be predictive, logical, subject to modification, and limited to the natural world. This includes demonstrating an understanding that scientific knowledge grows and advances as new evidence is discovered to support or modify existing theories, as well as to encourage the development of new theories. Students are able to reflect on ethical scientific practices and demonstrate an understanding of how the current body of scientific knowledge reflects the historical and cultural contributions of women and men who provide us with a more reliable and comprehensive understanding of the natural world. Indicators for grade 8 1. Identify the difference between description (e.g., observation and summary) and explanation (e.g., inference, prediction, significance, importance). (ORC Resources) 2. Explain why it is important to examine data objectively and not let bias affect observations. (ORC Resources)