Grade 8 Science SOL Standards

The student will demonstrate an understanding of scientific and engineering practices by

The student will investigate and understand that oceans are complex, dynamic systems and are subject to long- and short-term variations.

chemical, biological, and physical changes affect the oceans

environmental and geologic occurrences affect ocean dynamics;

unevenly distributed heat in the oceans drives much of Earth’s weather;

features of the sea floor reflect tectonic and other geological processes; and

human actions, including economic and public policy issues, affect oceans and the coastal zone including the Chesapeake Bay.

The student will investigate and understand that the atmosphere is a complex, dynamic system and is subject to long-and short-term variations. Key ideas include

the composition of the atmosphere is critical to most forms of life;

biologic and geologic interactions over long and short time spans change the atmospheric composition;

natural events and human actions may stress atmospheric regulation mechanisms;

human actions, including economic and policy decisions, affect the atmosphere.

The student will investigate and understand that Earth’s weather and climate are the result of the interaction of the sun’s energy with the atmosphere, oceans, and the land.

weather involves the reflection, absorption, storage, and redistribution of energy over short to medium time spans;

weather patterns can be predicted based on changes in current conditions;

extreme imbalances in energy distribution in the oceans, atmosphere, and the land may lead to severe weather conditions;

models based on current conditions are used to predict weather phenomena; and

changes in the atmosphere and the oceans due to natural and human activity affect global climate.

asking questions and defining problems

ask questions that arise from careful observation of phenomena, examination of a model or theory, or unexpected results, and/or to seek additional information

determine which questions can be investigated within the scope of the school laboratory or field experience

generate hypotheses based on research and scientific principles

make hypotheses that specify what happens to a dependent variable when an independent variable is manipulated

define design problems that involve the development of a process or system with multiple components and criteria

planning and carrying out investigations

individually and collaboratively plan and conduct observational and experimental investigations

plan and conduct investigations to test design solutions in a safe and ethical manner including considerations of environmental, social and personal effects

select and use appropriate tools and technology to collect, record, analyze, and evaluate data

interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating data

construct and interpret data tables showing independent and dependent variables, repeated trials, and means

construct, analyze, and interpret graphical displays of data and consider limitations of data analysis

apply mathematical concepts and processes to scientific questions

use data in building and revising models, supporting explanations of phenomena, or testing solutions to problems

analyze data using tools, technologies, and/or models in order to make valid and reliable scientific claims or determine an optimal design solution

constructing and critiquing conclusions and explanations

make quantitative and/or qualitative claims based on data

construct and revise explanations based on valid and reliable evidence obtained from a variety of sources, including students’ own investigations, models, theories, simulations, and peer review

apply scientific ideas, principles, and/or evidence to provide an explanation of phenomena or design solutions

construct arguments or counterarguments based on data and evidence

differentiate between a scientific hypothesis, theory, and law

developing and using models

evaluate the merits and limitations of models

develop, revise, and/or use models based on evidence to illustrate or predict relationships

construct and interpret scales, diagrams, classification charts, graphs, tables, imagery, models, including geologic cross sections and topographic profiles

read and interpret topographic and basic geologic maps and globes, including location by latitude and longitude

obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information

compare, integrate, and evaluate sources of information presented in different media or formats to address a scientific question or solve a problem

gather, read, and evaluate scientific and/or technical information from multiple sources, assessing the evidence and credibility of each source

communicate scientific and/or technical information about phenomena and/or a design process in multiple formats

The student will demonstrate an understanding that there are scientific concepts related to the origin and evolution of the universe.

the big bang theory explains the origin of universe;

stars, star systems, and galaxies change over long periods of time;

characteristics of the sun, planets and their moons, comets, meteors, asteroids, and dwarf planets are determined by materials found in each body; and

evidence from space exploration has increased our understanding of the structure and nature of our universe.

The student will investigate and understand that Earth is unique in our solar system.

Earth supports life because of its relative proximity to the sun and other factors

the dynamics of the sun-Earth-moon system cause seasons, tides, and eclipses.

The student will investigate and understand that there are major rock-forming and ore minerals

analysis of physical and chemical properties supports mineral identification;

characteristics of minerals determine the uses of minerals; and

minerals originate and are formed in specific ways.

The student will investigate and understand that igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks can transform

Earth materials are finite and are transformed over time;

the rock cycle models the transformation of rocks;

layers of Earth have rocks with specific chemical and physical properties; and

plate tectonic and surface processes transform Earth materials.

The student will investigate and understand that resource use is complex.

global resource use has environmental liabilities and benefits;

availability, renewal rates, and economic effects are considerations when using resources;

use of Virginia resources has an effect on the environment and the economy

all energy sources have environmental and economic effects.

The student will investigate and understand that plate tectonic theory explains Earth’s internal and external geologic processes.

convection currents in Earth’s interior lead to the movement of plates and influence the distribution of materials in Earth’s layers, and may impact the magnetic field

features and processes occur within plates and at plate boundaries;

interaction between tectonic plates causes the development of mountain ranges and ocean basins; and

evidence of geologic processes is found in Virginia’s geologic landscape.

The student will investigate and understand that freshwater resources influence and are influenced by geologic processes and human activity.

water influences geologic processes including soil development and karst topography

the nature of materials in the subsurface affect the water table and future availability of fresh water

weather and human usage affect freshwater resources, including water locations, quality, and supply

stream processes and dynamics affect the major watershed systems in Virginia, including the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

The student will investigate and understand that many aspects of the history and evolution of Earth and life can be inferred by studying rocks and fossils.

traces and remains of ancient, often extinct, life are preserved by various means in sedimentary rocks;

superposition, cross-cutting relationships, index fossils, and radioactive decay are methods of dating rocks and Earth events and processes;

absolute (radiometric) and relative dating have different applications but can be used together to determine the age of rocks and structures; and

rocks and fossils from many different geologic periods and epochs are found in Virginia.

The student will construct programs to accomplish a task as a means of creative expression or scientific exploration using a block based or text based programming language, both independently and collaboratively,

combining control structures such as if-statements and loops including nested conditionals and loops;

Using clearly named variables that represent different data types, including numeric and non-numeric data, and perform operations on their values; and [Related SOL: Math 7.1, 7.2]

Create procedures with parameters.

The student will evaluate online and print sources for appropriateness and credibility.

The student will discuss the social impacts and ethical considerations associated with the field of cybersecurity.

The student will explore careers related to the field of cybersecurity.

The student will identify existing cybersecurity concerns associated with Internet use and Internet-based systems and potential options to address these issues.

The student will systematically test and refine programs using a range of test cases.

The student will explain how effective communication between participants is required for successful collaboration when developing programs.

The student will use flowcharts and/or pseudo code to address complex problems as algorithms.

The student will, using the elements of computing devices such as primary memory, secondary storage, processor, input and output devices, and network connectivity; analyze the advantages and limitations of a given computing system.

The student will identify physical and digital security measures used protect electronic information.

The student will identify impacts of hacking, ransomware, scams, fake vulnerability scans, and the ethical and legal concerns involved.

The student will

explain the difference between a model and a simulation, and

create computational models to conduct simulations.

The student will describe tradeoffs between allowing information to be public, and keeping information private.

Computing Systems

Cybersecurity

Data and Analysis

Algorithms and Programming

Networking and the Internet

Impacts of Computing

The student will demonstrate an understanding of scientific and engineering practices by

asking questions and defining problems

ask questions and develop hypotheses to determine relationships between independent and dependent variables

offer simple solutions to design problems

planning and carrying out investigations

independently and collaboratively plan and conduct observational and experimental investigations; identify variables, constants, and controls where appropriate and include the safe use of chemicals and equipment

evaluate the accuracy of various methods for collecting data

take metric measurements using appropriate tools and technologies including the use of microscopes

interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating data

identify, interpret, and evaluate patterns in data

construct, analyze, and interpret graphical displays of data

compare and contrast data collected by different groups and discuss similarities and differences in their findings

consider limitations of data analysis and/or seek to improve precision and accuracy of data

use data to evaluate and refine design solutions

constructing and critiquing conclusions and explanations

construct explanations that include qualitative or quantitative relationships between variables

construct scientific explanations based on valid and reliable evidence obtained from sources (including the students' own investigations)

differentiate between a scientific hypothesis and theory

developing and using models

construct and use models and simulations to illustrate, predict, and/or explain observable and unobservable phenomena, life processes, or mechanisms

evaluate limitations of models

obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information

read scientific texts, including those adapted for classroom use, to obtain scientific and/or technical information

gather, read, and synthesize information from multiple appropriate sources and assess the credibility, accuracy, and possible bias of each publication

construct, use, and/or present an argument supported by empirical evidence and scientific reasoning

The student will investigate and understand that organisms reproduce and transmit genetic information to new generations. Key ideas include

DNA has a role in making proteins that determine organism traits;

the role of meiosis is to transfer traits to the next generation; and

Punnett squares are mathematical models used to predict the probability of traits in offspring.

The student will investigate and understand that populations of organisms can change over time. Key ideas include

mutation, adaptation, natural selection, and extinction change populations;

the fossil record, genetic information, and anatomical comparisons provide evidence for evolution; and

environmental factors and genetic variation, influence survivability and diversity of organisms.

The student will investigate and understand that all living things are composed of one or more cells that support life processes, as described by the cell theory. Key ideas include

the development of the cell theory demonstrates the nature of science;

cell structure and organelles support life processes;

similarities and differences between plant and animal cells determine how they support life processes;

cell division is the mechanism for growth and reproduction; and

cellular transport (osmosis and diffusion) is important for life processes.

The student will investigate and understand that there are levels of structural organization in living things. Key ideas include

patterns of cellular organization support life processes;

unicellular and multicellular organisms have comparative structures; and

similar characteristics determine the classification of organisms.

The student will investigate and understand that there are chemical processes of energy transfer which are important for life. Key ideas include

photosynthesis is the foundation of virtually all food webs; and

photosynthesis and cellular respiration support life processes.

The student will investigate and understand that biotic and abiotic factors affect an ecosystem. Key ideas include

matter moves through ecosystems via the carbon, water, and nitrogen cycles;

energy flow is represented by food webs and energy pyramids; and

relationships exist among producers, consumers, and decomposers.

The student will investigate and understand that populations in a biological community interact and are interdependent. Key ideas include

relationships exist between predators and prey and these relationships are modeled in food webs;

the availability and use of resources may lead to competition and cooperation;

symbiotic relationships support the survival of different species; and

the niche of each organism supports survival.

The student will investigate and understand that adaptations support an organism's survival in an ecosystem. Key ideas include

biotic and abiotic factors define land, marine, and freshwater ecosystems; and

physical and behavioral characteristics enable organisms to survive within a specific ecosystem.

The student will investigate and understand that ecosystems, communities, populations, and organisms are dynamic and change over time. Key ideas include

organisms respond to daily, seasonal, and long-term changes;

changes in the environment may increase or decrease population size; and

large-scale changes such as eutrophication, climate changes, and catastrophic disturbances affect ecosystems.

The student will investigate and understand that relationships exist between ecosystem dynamics and human activity. Key ideas include

changes in habitat can disturb populations;

disruptions in ecosystems can change species competition; and

variations in biotic and abiotic factors can change ecosystems.

Physical Science

Life Science

The student will demonstrate an understanding of scientific and engineering practices by

asking questions and defining problems

ask questions that require empirical evidence to answer

develop hypotheses indicating relationships between independent and dependent variables

offer simple solutions to design problems

planning and carrying out investigations

independently and collaboratively plan and conduct observational and experimental investigations; identify variables, constants, and controls where appropriate and include the safe use of chemicals and equipment

evaluate the accuracy of various methods for collecting data

take metric measurements using appropriate tools and technologies

apply scientific ideas or principles to design, construct, and/or test a design of an object, tool, process or system

interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating data

construct and interpret data tables showing independent and dependent variables, repeated trials, and means

construct, analyze, and interpret graphical displays of data and consider limitations of data analysis

apply mathematical concepts and processes to scientific questions

use data to evaluate and refine design solutions to best meet criteria

constructing and critiquing conclusions and explanations

construct scientific explanations based on valid and reliable evidence obtained from sources (including the students' own investigations)

construct arguments supported by empirical evidence and scientific reasoning

generate and compare multiple solutions to problems based on how well they meet the criteria and constraints

differentiate between a scientific hypothesis, theory, and law

developing and using models

construct, develop, and use models and simulations to illustrate and/or explain observable and unobservable phenomena

evaluate limitations of models

obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information

read scientific texts, including those adapted for classroom use, to determine the central idea and/or obtain scientific and/or technical information

gather, read, and synthesize information from multiple appropriate sources and assess the credibility, accuracy, and possible bias of each publication

construct, use, and/or present an oral and written argument supported by empirical evidence and scientific reasoning

The student will investigate and understand that matter is composed of atoms. Key ideas include

our understanding of atoms has developed over time;

the periodic table can be used to predict the chemical and physical properties of matter; and

the kinetic molecular theory is used to predict and explain matter interactions.

The student will investigate and understand that matter has properties and is conserved in chemical and physical processes. Key ideas include

pure substances can be identified based on their chemical and physical properties;

pure substances can undergo physical and chemical changes that may result in a change of properties;

compounds form through ionic and covalent bonding; and

balanced chemical equations model the conservation of matter.

The student will investigate and understand that the periodic table is a model used to organize elements based on their atomic structure. Key uses include

symbols, atomic numbers, atomic mass, chemical groups (families), and periods are identified on the periodic table; and

elements are classified as metals, metalloids, and nonmetals.

The student will investigate and understand that energy is conserved. Key ideas include

energy can be stored in different ways;

energy is transferred and transformed; and

energy can be transformed to meet societal needs.

The student will investigate and understand that waves are important in the movement of energy. Key ideas include

energy may be transferred in the form of longitudinal and transverse waves;

mechanical waves need a medium to transfer energy;

waves can interact; and

energy associated with waves has many applications.

The student will investigate and understand that electromagnetic radiation has characteristics. Key ideas include

electromagnetic radiation, including visible light, has wave characteristics and behavior; and

regions of the electromagnetic spectrum have specific characteristics and uses.

The student will investigate and understand that work, force, and motion are related. Key ideas include

motion can be described using position and time; and

motion is described by Newton's laws.

The student will investigate and understand that there are basic principles of electricity and magnetism. Key ideas include

an imbalance of charge generates static electricity;

materials have different conductive properties;

electric circuits transfer energy;

magnetic fields model the magnetic effects of certain materials;

electric current and magnetic fields are related; and

many technologies use electricity and magnetism.

The student will design and iteratively develop programs that combine control structures, including loops and conditionals.

The student will model the role of protocols in transmitting data across networks and the Internet.

The student will apply multiple methods of encryption to model the secure transmission of information.

The student will explain how physical and digital security measures protect electronic information.

The student will collect data using computational tools and transform the data to make it more useful and reliable.

The student will refine computational models based on the data they have generated.

The student will represent data using multiple encoding schemes.

The student will discuss issues of bias and accessibility in the design of existing technologies.

The student will compare tradeoffs associated with computing technologies that affect people's everyday activities and career options.

The student will collaborate with many contributors through strategies such as crowdsourcing or surveys when creating a computational artifact or visualization.

The student will describe tradeoffs between allowing information to be public and keeping information private and secure.

The student will investigate variables and data types, including simple operations on strings.

The student will systematically identify and correct problems with computing devices and their components.

The student will explore the relationship between hardware and software using the Internet of Things.

The student will

work in a team to distribute tasks;

maintain a timeline; and

use iterative design to solve problems, including peer review and feedback.

The student will decompose problems and subproblems into parts to facilitate the design, implementation, and review of programs.

The student will create procedures with parameters to organize code and make it easier to reuse.

The student will recommend improvements to the design of computing devices, based on an analysis of how users interact with the devices.

The student will design projects that combine hardware and software components to collect and exchange data.

The student will implement a program that accepts input values, stores them in appropriately named variables, and produces output.

The student will document programs in order to make them easier to trace, test, and debug.

The student will discuss issues of bias and accessibility in the design of existing technologies.

The student will describe and explain the history of computer science, including naming significant historical figures and describing their impact on the field.

The student will use flowcharts and/or pseudo code to address complex problems as algorithms.

The student will incorporate existing code, media, and libraries into original programs, and give attribution.

The student will systematically test and refine programs using a range of test cases.

Data and Analysis

Impacts of Computing

Networks and the Internet

6, 9, and 18-Week Module

Algorithms and Programming

Computing Systems

Algorithms and Programming

36-Week Module

Cybersecurity

Impacts of Computing

Computing Systems

Algorithms and Programming

The student will demonstrate an understanding of scientific and engineering practices by

asking questions and defining problems

ask questions that require empirical evidence to answer

develop hypotheses indicating relationships between independent and dependent variables

offer simple solutions to design problems

planning and carrying out investigations

independently and collaboratively plan and conduct observational and experimental investigations; identify variables, constants, and controls where appropriate and include the safe use of chemicals and equipment

evaluate the accuracy of various methods for collecting data

take metric measurements using appropriate tools and technologies

apply scientific ideas or principles to design, construct, and/or test a design of an object, tool, process or system

interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating data

construct and interpret data tables showing independent and dependent variables, repeated trials, and means

construct, analyze, and interpret graphical displays of data and consider limitations of data analysis

apply mathematical concepts and processes to scientific questions

use data to evaluate and refine design solutions to best meet criteria

constructing and critiquing conclusions and explanations

construct scientific explanations based on valid and reliable evidence obtained from sources (including the students’ own investigations)

construct arguments supported by empirical evidence and scientific reasoning

generate and compare multiple solutions to problems based on how well they meet the criteria and constraints

differentiate between a scientific hypothesis, theory, and law

developing and using models

construct, develop, and use models and simulations to illustrate and/or explain observable and unobservable phenomena

evaluate limitations of models

obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information

read scientific texts, including those adapted for classroom use, to determine the central idea and/or obtain scientific and/or technical information

gather, read, and synthesize information from multiple appropriate sources and assess the credibility, accuracy, and possible bias of each publication

construct, use, and/or present an oral and written argument supported by empirical evidence and scientific reasoning

The student will investigate and understand that matter is composed of atoms.

our understanding of atoms has developed over time;

the periodic table can be used to predict the chemical and physical properties of matter;

the kinetic molecular theory is used to predict and explain matter interactions.

The student will investigate and understand that matter has properties and is conserved in chemical and physical processes.

pure substances can be identified based on their chemical and physical properties;

pure substances can undergo physical and chemical changes that may result in a change of properties;

compounds form through ionic and covalent bonding;

balanced chemical equations model the conservation of matter.

The student will investigate and understand that the periodic table is a model used to organize elements based on their atomic structure.

symbols, atomic numbers, atomic mass, chemical groups (families), and periods are identified on the periodic table;

elements are classified as metals, metalloids, and nonmetals.

The student will investigate and understand that energy is conserved

energy can be stored in different ways;

energy is transferred and transformed;

energy can be transformed to meet societal needs.

The student will investigate and understand that waves are important in the movement of energy

energy may be transferred in the form of longitudinal and transverse waves;

mechanical waves need a medium to transfer energy;

waves can interact

energy associated with waves has many applications.

The student will investigate and understand that electromagnetic radiation has characteristics.

electromagnetic radiation, including visible light, has wave characteristics and behavior;

regions of the electromagnetic spectrum have specific characteristics and uses.

The student will investigate and understand that work, force, and motion are related

motion can be described using position and time;

motion is described by Newton’s laws.

The student will investigate and understand that there are basic principles of electricity and magnetism.

an imbalance of charge generates static electricity;

materials have different conductive properties;

electric circuits transfer energy;

magnetic fields cause the magnetic effects of certain materials;

electric current and magnetic fields are related;

many technologies use electricity and magnetism.