Science Knowledge & Skills - 8th Grade Scientific Processes | Science Concepts Return to Grade Level Skills Page last edited 4/19/2009 site for teachers | PowerPoint show | Acrobat document | Word document | whiteboard resource | sound | video format | interactive lesson | a quiz | lesson plan | to print

Scientific Processes
( Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills )	Internet Resources
(1)   The student conducts field and laboratory investigations using safe, environmentally appropriate, and ethical practices.
(A)  demonstrate safe practices during field and laboratory investigations
(B)  make wise choices in the use and conservation of resources and the disposal or recycling of materials
(2)   The student uses scientific inquiry methods during field and laboratory investigations.
(A)  plan and implement investigative procedures including asking questions, formulating testable hypotheses, and selecting and using equipment and technology	Collecting and Analyzing Safety Data - a 75 minute lab with an excellent table on page 22 listing the five leading causes of death, broken down by age range Forces in Action - change track gradient and truck load as you collect data and come to a conclusion Formatting Hypotheses - information to help your students get a handle on this process skill How We See Things - Think through the assignment given, using a variety of mirrors to complete the task. Labs With Hypotheses - three sample labs Linking Conclusions to Hypotheses - examples from a biology lab Reasoning in Science - a basic introduction to the scientific method from Biology4Kids Sample Hypotheses (dependent and independent variables identified) Biology Earth & Physical Science Test Your Hypothesis - Read Jenna's Diary in this exceprt from the science fair toolkit to see an example of designing an experiment with a testable hypothesis. Towel Testing - the purpose of this lab is to practice the skills used to design experiments Writing Hypotheses - a student lesson
(B)  collect data by observing and measuring	Calculate the density of two blocks and then identify the material that the blocks are made of Changing Circuits - test a variety of materials to determine which best completes the circuit Create a New Hawaiian Island - read the page then click on the link at the bottom of the page to experiment with these local effects on climate by creating a new Hawaiian island! Density Challenge Leap Frog - Students design an experiment to answer a question, collect information, and interpret the results using charts. Mass, Volume and Density Lab - interactive lab, collect data and draw conclusions Worksheet to use with the mass, volume and density activity Mass Volume Density Quiz (Level 1) Mass Volume Density Quiz (level 2) Reversable and Irreversable Changes - experiment with a variety of substances and conditions to determine which changes can or can not be reversed, and then take a quiz Volume, Mass and Density - a supplementary activity for students
(C)  organize, analyze, evaluate, make inferences, and predict trends from direct and indirect evidence	Boil Water with Shockwave - Run an experiment, changing the water amount, the starting water temperature, and the heating power. Enter how long you think it will take to boil the water. The accuracy of your guess, as a percentage of the actual time, will be displayed.
(D)  communicate valid conclusions
(E)  construct graphs, tables, maps, and charts using tools including computers to organize, examine, and evaluate data	Bar Graph - Enter data to create a bar graph, then manipulate the graph's maximum and minimum values Circle Graph - Enter data categories and the value of each category to create a circle graph (similar to "Pie Chart" but the user can define the data set) Create-a-Graph - lessons and activities on a variety of graphs Data Picking - students collect data, enter tally marks or numbers and then select which graph is appropriate Gere's Bike Shop - Read and Interpret Graphs at this BBC site After you finish the lesson at Gere's Bike Shop, take a test The Hot Tub - This is a fun activity where students tell the story behind a graph and relate slope to rate of change. How It All Stacks Up - Students interpret and compare information using a bar graph. Interpreting Column Graphs - students practice by answering ten questions about the graph Overview of a Bar Graph by Nicole Carroll followed by a practice quiz Overview of a Line Graph by Nicole Carroll followed by a practice quiz Play Ball - Students collect data to put on a picture graph. Pie Chart - Students view pie charts (parameters: number of sectors, size of sector as a percent) Reading a Column Graph - five questions related to a graph (good real-world activity) Spy Guys Interactive - Understanding and Interpreting Graphs - Lesson 10
(3)   The student uses critical thinking and scientific problem solving to make informed decisions.
(A)  analyze, review, and critique scientific explanations, including hypotheses and theories, as to their strengths and weaknesses using scientific evidence and information	Collecting and Analyzing Safety Data - a 75 minute lab with an excellent table on page 22 listing the five leading causes of death, broken down by age range Forces in Action - change track gradient and truck load as you collect data and come to a conclusion Formatting Hypotheses - information to help your students get a handle on this process skill How We See Things - Think through the assignment given, using a variety of mirrors to complete the task. Labs With Hypotheses - three sample labs Linking Conclusions to Hypotheses - examples from a biology lab Reasoning in Science - a basic introduction to the scientific method from Biology4Kids Sample Hypotheses (dependent and independent variables identified) Biology Earth & Physical Science Test Your Hypothesis - Read Jenna's Diary in this excerpt from the science fair toolkit to see an example of designing an experiment with a testable hypothesis. Towel Testing - the purpose of this lab is to practice the skills used to design experiments Writing Hypotheses - a student lesson
(B)  draw inferences based on data related to promotional materials for products and services
(C)  represent the natural world using models and identify their limitations
(D)  evaluate the impact of research on scientific thought, society, and the environment
(E)  connect Grade 8 science concepts with the history of science and contributions of scientists
(4)   The student knows how to use a variety of tools and methods to conduct science inquiry.
(A)  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	Bird Sleuth: Investigating Evidence - this module consists of five investigations which give students the chance to learn science by doing science Teacher's Guide - a 44 page .pdf document Resource Pages - a 28 page .pdf document Investigator's Journal - a 25 page .pdf document British and Metric Conversions - a series of pages relating to converting to or from metric units Calculating the Density of a Liquid - tutorial on the math involved plus sample questions Calculating Density of a Solid - tutorial on the math involved plus sample questions Converting Fahrenheit to Celsius - interactive problem from Annenberg Converting Length Measurements - use your knowledge of meters, centimeters and millimeters to answer questions to build a shed Finding the Mass of an Object - tutorial on using a triple-beam balance which includes questions to answer Finding the Volume of an Object - tutorial on using a graduated cylinder which includes questions to answer How Science works--Variables - Explains the meaning of 'independent', 'dependent' and 'control' variables, with examples from typical practicals. Platform Scales Addition - weigh several items and find the sum in hundredths of a gram Platform Scales Subtraction - weigh several items and find the difference in hundredths of a gram Teaching Measures - links to length, mass, or capacity activities and printables - good for using on an interactive whiteboard for a whole class activity Transparency Master - use this high quality picture of a block of metal on a triple beam balance as a review for your students Using a Graduated Cylinder - [L and mL] a whole class activity for reading a scale, estimating and converting between units Using a Platform Scale - practice using scales like the one in a doctor's office, five Gregs will drop on the scale, waiting to be weighed, see how quickly you can weigh them Using a Ruler - [ 15 cm ruler ] a whole class activity for reading a ruler, estimating and converting between units Using a Ruler - [ 30 cm ruler ] a whole class activity for reading a ruler, estimating and converting between units
(B)  extrapolate from collected information to make predictions
(5)   The student knows that relationships exist between science and technology.
(A)  identify a design problem and propose a solution
(B)  design and test a model to solve the problem
(C)  evaluate the model and make recommendations for improving the model

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Science Concepts
(6)   The student knows that interdependence occurs among living systems.
(A)  describe interactions among systems in the human organism	Human Anatomy Online - explore ten human systems
(B)  identify feedback mechanisms that maintain equilibrium of systems such as body temperature, turgor pressure, and chemical reactions
(C)  describe interactions within ecosystems	Animal Adaptations - lesson plan designed to expand students' knowledge of animal features and behaviors that can help or hinder their survival in a particular habitat Animal Adaptations Worksheet Biomes in a Box - students are asked to build a three-dimensional model of a biome in a box Biome Summary Biomes of the World from the Missouri Botanical Garden The Biosphere: An Introduction to Earth's Diverse Environments - This 40 slide show, written by Benjamin Cummings, includes some excellent graphics. Biome Quiz - a ten question quiz is from the Environmental News Network Ecology and Biomes - a ten question quiz Ecosystems - a twenty question quiz from Glencoe Ecosystems and Biomes - a twenty question quiz from Glencoe Ecosystems and Biomes - a Quia quiz [ different format of the same quiz ] Five of the major world biomes from WorldBiomes.com Habitats/Biomes from Enchanted Learning - provides a good summary of biome characteristics The Major Biomes - click on the appropriate heading to learn more (a ThinkQuest entry) Symbiosis, commensalism, mutualism and parasitism Terrestrial Ecoregions of the World - (from National Geographic) information and images for all 867 land-based ecoregions on the planet Types of ecological interactions - a slide show with a large number of images Unique Plants of the Biomes - lesson from Discovery School The World's Biomes : Aquatic , Desert , Forest , Grassland , Tundra
(7)   The student knows that there is a relationship between force and motion.
(A)  demonstrate how unbalanced forces cause changes in the speed or direction of an object's motion	The Galileo Games - In this PBS feature, you'll get a sampling of Galileo's thought experiments and conduct virtual versions of his experiments, including those using an inclined plane and a pendulum. An index of Newton's Laws animations from the Physics Classroom An index of Newton's laws tutorials from the Physics Classroom (a total of 16 separate lessons) The Law of Action-Reaction (Revisited) Mass, Force and Acceleration - Watch as you fill out the chart to see how mass, force, and acceleration are related. When you are done, see if you can write a rule. Momentum - "mass in motion" Momentum and Impulse Connection - this tutorial includes a large number of practice questions to check understanding Motion with Constant Acceleration - This Java applet shows a car moving with constant acceleration Newton's Second Law Experiment - During movement a red point in the t-s-diagram (time - displacement) indicates the present time and the covered distance. This Java applet allows students to collect data for graphing. Objects falling to Earth from a variety of locations Recognizing Forces - The purpose of this activity is to practice an understanding of the various types of forces
(B)  recognize that waves are generated and can travel through different media	The Anatomy of a Wave - from the chapter on Properties of Waves at the Physics Classroom Electromagnetic Spectrum - In this applet, you can click on the wavelength/frequency scale and change the wavelength and frequency by dragging the mouse or by using the arrow keys on the keyboard. Holding the shift key down while pressing the left or right arrow keys changes the wavelength by a factor of 10. Parts of a Wave - the wave and its parts are discussed here, including a nice java applet which allows your students to change wave frequency Basic Electromagnetic Wave Properties - this java applet lets students change wavelength, frequency or amplitude of electromagnetic waves, thus changing the color of the radiation. Wave Addition - Experiment with how different wavelengths combine to produce a resultant wave.
(8)   The student knows that matter is composed of atoms.
(A)  describe the structure and parts of an atom	Fun Facts About Atoms - four slides from Jefferson Labs showing size and scale of atoms How to find the number of protons, electrons and neutrons in an atom - a lesson from Jefferson Lab How many electrons fit in each shell around an atom - from Jefferson Lab How to read an electron configuration table - from Jefferson Lab It's Elemental - Element Math Game - answer the question that the computer asks about the number of protons, neutrons, electrons or nucleons (particles in the nucleus) that an atom of that element contains. Press the 'Check my answer' button after you have entered your answer. Protons, Electrons and Neutrons - This page is an exercise in relating the number of protons, electrons and neutrons for an atom or monoatomic ion
(B)  identify the properties of an atom including mass and electrical charge
(9)   The student knows that substances have chemical and physical properties.
(A)  demonstrate that substances may react chemically to form new substances	What is the difference between chemical and physical change? Physical and Chemical Changes - Quiz 1 - The difference between physical and chemical changes Physical or Chemical Change? - Determine if each is a physical or chemical change. (a quia quiz) Physical or Chemical Change? - test your knowledge Physical vs Chemical Change - an interactive lesson Physical and Chemical changes quiz
(B)  interpret information on the periodic table to understand that physical properties are used to group elements	1001 Periodic Table Quiz Questions - Over 1300 free science and chemistry questions per age and topic for school, college and university students The Catalyst has an extensive list of periodic table links ChemicalElements.com has a nice table with Internet links to sites about the elements. Dmitri Ivanovich Mendeleev - We will never be able to attribute to a single individual the development of the basic building blocks of writing. Yet we do know the name of the man who devised the method of classifying the basic building blocks of matter. Dmitri Ivanovich Mendeleev! Flash version of the table - Move your cursor over an elements for information. Periodic Table of the Elements Periodic Table from ChemiCool Periodic Table - This common chemistry tool is presented as a PowerPoint show with web links to pages about each element. Invisible buttons are used on slide 2. (There are 109 invisible buttons on one slide.) Download the show and take a look! A small Periodic Table of the Elements with limited information about each element. This site loads quickly. Proton Don - a FunBrain game using a periodic table that contains the elements' symbols and their periodic numbers. Visual Elements offers two versions. One requires the Shockwave plug-in Flash, and the other is an HTML document
(C)  recognize the importance of formulas and equations to express what happens in a chemical reaction	Balancing Chemical Equations Chembalancer is a little online game to teach balancing equations. You type numbers in front of each molecule until there are the same number of atoms on both sides of the equation, then click the 'Balanced' button. A Chemical Equation Balancing Mystery - (originally designed for grades 10 - 12) A monkey has been killed and you must use your chemical equation balancing skills to solve the mystery. Chemical Equations - Quiz 1 - Law of conservation of matter, reactants vs products Chemical Equations - Quiz 2 - Balancing chemical equations, types of chemical reactions
(D)  identify that physical and chemical properties influence the development and application of everyday materials such as cooking surfaces, insulation, adhesives, and plastics	Changing States: Does it Matter ? - a lab worksheet to use in your classroom Chemical vs Physical Change - an online version of a slide show Chemical vs. Physical Properties and Changes - from a Physical Science course at Learner.org Classification of Matter - Answer a series of questions to determine if a substance is a mixture or compound. The difference between chemical and physical changes (from Chem4Kids) Key Concepts: Chemical vs Physical Changes; Elements vs. Compounds - sample questions and two good concept maps Mixtures and Compounds - a short movie featuring iron and sulphur illustrating the difference between a mixture and a compound Multiple Choice Test on Physical and Chemical Properties and Changes Physical vs. Chemical Change - click on a type of change to observe the molecular details of the process Physical and Chemical Changes - Quiz 1 - The difference between physical and chemical changes Physical or Chemical Change? - Determine if each is a physical or chemical change. (a Quia quiz) Physical or Chemical Change? - test your knowledge Physical and Chemical changes quiz Physical vs Chemical Change - an interactive lesson (click Next to begin) Physical vs Chemical Change - flashcards from Quia Review and Practice on Chemical vs. Physical Properties and Changes - ten questions on properties and five questions on changes Sciencegy Game Board - Physical and Chemical Change - Jeopardy format What is the difference between chemical and physical change? - from General Chemistry Online Word Scramble - use these ten scrambled words as a review Worksheet on Physical vs Chemical Change
(10)   The student knows that complex interactions occur between matter and energy.
(A)  illustrate interactions between matter and energy including specific heat	Effect of a Change in Temperature - a java applet allows students to see the effect of increasing temperature on a reaction.
(B)  describe interactions among solar, weather, and ocean systems	Cloud Boutique - explanations of and access to detailed pictures of some basic cloud forms provided by the Plymouth State Meteorology Program Cloud Forecasting - Clouds can tell you many things about what the weather will do. Use what you learned to make a forecast for your Dad . Help Dad plan the rest of your trip . Compare and contrast warm and cold fronts - excellent animations of each type of front Cloud Matching Game - Drag the photos of clouds on left to the correct name for that cloud on the right. Wrong matches will snap back! Right matches will stick! Clouds and Precipitation - The purpose of this module is to introduce a number of cloud classifications, different types of precipitation, and the mechanisms responsible for producing them Cloud Types – this page provides information about each cloud group and any cloud classes associated with them How to be a Storm Spotter - clouds and the weather associated with them How to forecast the weather by studying clouds National Severe Storms Laboratory Photo Album - use these to ask students about types of weather associated Radar Loop of the last 2 hours covering the contiguous United States. This Doppler radar site indicates clouds, rain and snow with different colors, and refreshes 4 times per hour. Satellite Movies of Air Masses Moving across North America Thunderstorm Types - from the On-Line Weather School Tips for Forecasting the Weather - step-by-step process including links to real time weather data Weather Associated with Cloud Types - Caution! The background of this page is horrible. The easiest way to make the page easier to read is to select all text. Hold down the Ctrl key (or the Apple key) and tap the A key one time. Wetter or Better? - this twelve-slide show presents cloud types and asks students to make a forecast
(C)  identify and demonstrate that loss or gain of heat energy occurs during exothermic and endothermic chemical reactions	Chemical Reactions - Quiz 1 - Types of chemical reactions, exothermic, the rate of a reaction Chemical Reactions - Quiz 2 - Types of chemical reactions Chemical Reactions - Quiz 3 - Safety, endothermic, activation energy Solids, Liquids & Gases - Cartoon animations are used to introduce each topic and may be used to revise previous topics before progressing to a new aspect of the subject. Practical activities to support pupil learning are presented as downloadable worksheets, with notes for teachers or as ideas for experiments and investigations. Solids, Liquids & Gases - a ThinkQuest entry Solids, liquids and gases - their molecular structure States of Matter - followed by a short quiz Solid, Liquid & Gas Fact sheet Solid, Liquid & Gas - slide show followed by an interactive quiz States of Matter - from Chem4Kids - links on the left relate to each of the physical states
(11)   The student knows that traits of species can change through generations and that the instructions for traits are contained in the genetic material of the organisms.
(A)  identify that change in environmental conditions can affect the survival of individuals and of species	Conservation Genetics - The science of Conservation Biology studies individuals and populations that have been affected by habitat loss, exploitation, and/or environmental change.
(B)  distinguish between inherited traits and other characteristics that result from interactions with the environment
(C)  make predictions about possible outcomes of various genetic combinations of inherited characteristics	Click and Clone - your mission is to create a genetically identical clone of Mimi, a brown mouse Cloning of Dolly The Gene School - This is the place to study the science of genetics. Learn about the foundation of genetics starting with Robert Hooks' discovery of cells in 1655. Genetic Engineering: A Survey of Methods - This 56-slide show has many good images. You might modify the show, or use the images in your own show. Genetic Engineering and Cloning : Improving Nature, or Uncorking the Genie? ( a ThinkQuest site ) Hello Dolly - A webQuest on Cloning Is it Cloning? Or Not? - Although cloning is one type of technology used in reproduction, not all reproductive technologies involve cloning. To play the game, decide for yourself whether the scenario described involves cloning. Scottish Sheep Shocker - more about Dolly Welcome to the Extraterrestrial Gene Therapy Lab - As Space Doctor, you'll use your gene therapy knowledge to treat three ailing aliens who come into your clinic. Before starting, you might want to review Tools of the Trade and the Gene Therapy Case Studies found in other sections of this module.
(12)   The student knows that cycles exist in Earth systems.
(A)  analyze and predict the sequence of events in the lunar and rock cycles	Lunar Earth and Moon Matchup - phases and other earth/moon terms are in this Quia Quiz Earth-Moon-Sun system with Moon phases animation - The Sun is to the right of the Earth and Moon. ( The animation is near the bottom of this page ) The King of Tides - a WebQuest which asks students to collect data and support a conclusion regarding the moon's role in creating tides. A lesson on tides with a good diagram of spring tides and neap tides from the Department of Physics & Astronomy at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville Moon Phases Java Applet - Select "both" for the point of view and run the simulation to see the cause of moon phases. Stop the animation and use their chart to see the name of the moon phase. Our Restless Tides : a brief explanation of the astronomical factors which produce tides from NOAA's Oceanographic Products and Services Division Phases of the Moon - a very good diagram and a listing of the phases in order. Moon Phase Calendar - shows the moon phases for each day of the current month. Moon Phases - Excel workbook to use with interactive whiteboard or projection - let students drag phases to the correct position Phases of the Moon Quiz Phases of the Moon Activity (from Newton's Apple) Phases of the moon from Earth and space - For each phase, examine how the view from Earth is related to the view from space. Phases of the Moon - from Harcourt School (short, simple, well done) Moon Phase Applet - use this page to see the phases of the moon for an entire year ( from 1973 to 2107 ) The Phases of the Moon - from Enchanted Learning Phases of the Moon - This is one of the best animations for explaining moon phases. (from the Science Alberta Foundation) Put the Moon's Phases in Correct Order - a Quia quiz Virtual Reality Moon Phase Pictures - You can view the phase of the Moon for any date and time [1800-2199 A.D. ]. What Causes Tides? - This explanation of giant tides in the Bay of Fundy also includes a great illustration of the various types of tides. What Our Moon Looks Like During a Complete Lunar Cycle - from the Astronomy Picture of the Day Worksheet to use with Moon Phases - One sheet gives students places to draw and name the phase, the other worksheet asks students to identify positions of the moon and earth in relation to the sun for each of the eight phases Rock Animation of clastic sedimentary rocks forming Animation of metamorphic rocks forming How Sediments are Deposited - This animation shows a side view of an area where a river flows into a lake. Interactive Rock Cycle Animation - a cutaway view of Earth showing where some common rock-forming processes occur. Embedded animations will illustrate the path of a rock moving through the rock cycle. Introduction to Geology - a rock cycle quiz The Rock Cycle - Look at the diagram and see if you can trace a rock through the rock cycle. Rock Cycle - includes link to each of the three types of rocks Rock Cycle from the Mineralogical Society of America Rock Cycle - a review lesson followed by a quiz [ from McGraw Hill ] Rock Cycle Quiz - posted by the College of Alameda Physical Geography department A Schematic Sketch of the Rock Cycle - boxes represent earth materials and arrows represent the processes that transform those materials Three Rock Cycle Quizzes - each with five questions
(B)  relate the role of oceans to climatic changes
(C)  predict the results of modifying the Earth's nitrogen, water, and carbon cycles	The Carbon Cycle
(13)   The student knows characteristics of the universe.
(A)  describe characteristics of the universe such as stars and galaxies
(B)  explain the use of light years to describe distances in the universe
(C)  research and describe historical scientific theories of the origin of the universe
(14)   The student knows that natural events and human activities can alter Earth systems.
(A)  predict land features resulting from gradual changes such as mountain building, beach erosion, land subsidence, and continental drift	Animations Plate Tectonics animation ( Warning! : These animated gifs, including the smallest files, load slowly) Animations in the form of PowerPoint shows are available from the PLATES project at the University of Texas. History - Plate Tectonics: The Rocky History of an Idea How the Plates Move - a lesson from Volcano World Mechanisms - explanation of the driving forces behind plate tectonics Paleomap Earth History maps Paleomap VR animations Pangaea to the Present - a study of the history of the Earth's tectonic plates. Plate Tectonic Reconstruction Service . In this section you can calculate plate tectonic reconstructions of any age back to 150 My Science Odyssey: You Try It: Plate Tectonics - A hands-on exercise about plate tectonics and earthquakes from PBS. ( requires Shockwave plug-in ) Observe the break up of Pangaea - This animation shows how the locations of continents and islands have changed over the past 150 million years. Observe animations of processes that occur along plate boundaries (transform, convergent and diverging)
(B)  analyze how natural or human events may have contributed to the extinction of some species	The 2004 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species - Photo Gallery Arkansas Threatened & Endangered Species - from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Endangered Animals - photo gallery Endangered Species - Click on a state for lists of endangered species in that state The Extinction Files - mass extinction events have occurred in the Earth's history Global 200 - some of the richest, rarest, and most endangered terrestrial, marine and freshwater natural areas of the world ( a National Geographic site ) Threatened and Endangered Plants and Animals - a database posted by the U S Fish and Wildlife Service Wildlife Crime Busters - Super sleuth scientists get the evidence to solve crimes against animals. ( a National Geographic site ) World Endangered Species - a Think Quest site Yahooligans has an endangered species directory
(C)  describe how human activities have modified soil, water, and air quality	Virtual Field Trips - In this investigation, you'll take virtual field trips to several protected places. Explore the Web site of each place to discover the unique features that make it worth protecting.

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