Kentucky State Standards for Science: Grade 8

SC-8-STM. Big Idea: Structure and Transformation of Matter (Physical Science) - A basic understanding of matter is essential to the conceptual development of other big ideas in science. During the middle years, physical and chemical changes in matter are observed, and students begin to relate these changes to the smaller constituents of matter - namely, atoms and molecules. The use of models (and an understanding of their scales and limitations) is an effective means of learning about the structure of matter. Looking for patterns in properties is also critical to comparing and explaining differences in matter. (Academic Expectations 2.1, 2.2, 2.4, 2.5)

SC-8-STM-U-1. Program of Studies: Understandings - Students will understand that all matter is made of tiny moving particles called atoms, which are far too small to see directly through a microscope. The atoms of any element are alike but are different from atoms of other elements. 8
Suggested Titles for Kentucky Science State Standard SC-8-STM-U-1.

SC-8-STM-U-2. Program of Studies: Understandings - Students will understand that because atomic structure is not directly observable, models (physical and conceptual) are used to facilitate understanding. What kind of model to use and how complex it should be depends on its purpose. 8
Suggested Titles for Kentucky Science State Standard SC-8-STM-U-2.

SC-8-STM-U-3. Program of Studies: Understandings - Students will understand that elements do not break down during chemical reactions (e.g., heating, exposure to electric currents, reaction with acids). 16
Suggested Titles for Kentucky Science State Standard SC-8-STM-U-3.

SC-8-STM-U-4. Program of Studies: Understandings - Students will understand that the idea of atoms explains the conservation of matter: If the number of atoms stays the same no matter how they are rearranged, then their total mass stays the same. The atoms that are present today are the same atoms that have always existed. 19
Suggested Titles for Kentucky Science State Standard SC-8-STM-U-4.

SC-8-STM-U-5. Program of Studies: Understandings - Students will understand that there are groups of elements that have similar properties, including highly reactive metals, less-reactive metals, highly reactive nonmetals (such as chlorine, fluorine and oxygen) and some almost completely non-reactive gases (such as helium and neon). Some elements don't fit into any of the categories; among them are carbon and hydrogen, essential elements of living matter. 5
Suggested Titles for Kentucky Science State Standard SC-8-STM-U-5.

SC-8-STM-U-6. Program of Studies: Understandings - Students will understand that over a long time, matter is transferred from one organism to another repeatedly and between organisms and their physical environment. As in all material systems, the total amount of matter remains constant, even though its form and location change. 14
Suggested Titles for Kentucky Science State Standard SC-8-STM-U-6.

SC-8-MF. Big Idea: Motion and Forces (Physical Science) - Whether observing airplanes, baseballs, planets, or people, the motion of all bodies is governed by the same basic rules. At the middle level, qualitative descriptions of the relationship between forces and motion will provide the foundation for quantitative applications of Newton's Laws. (Academic Expectations 2.1, 2.2, 2.3)

SC-8-MF-U-1. Program of Studies: Understandings - Students will understand that Isaac Newton developed a set of rules that can be used to describe and predict virtually all observed motion on Earth and in the universe. These Laws of Motion demonstrate that the rules governing the Earth are the same as those controlling the rest of the observed universe. 8
Suggested Titles for Kentucky Science State Standard SC-8-MF-U-1.

SC-8-MF-U-2. Program of Studies: Understandings - Students will understand that preconceived expectations can influence what people actually observe, preventing them from detecting other results. In order to maintain objectivity, different investigators should investigate the same question independently. For example, Newton's Laws are widely accepted because they have been verified by so many different observers. 4
Suggested Titles for Kentucky Science State Standard SC-8-MF-U-2.

SC-8-EU. Big Idea: The Earth and the Universe (Earth/Space Science) - The Earth system is in a constant state of change. These changes affect life on Earth in many ways. Development of conceptual understandings about processes that shape the Earth begin at the elementary level with understanding what Earth materials are and that change occurs. At the middle level, students investigate how these changes occur. An understanding of systems and their interacting components will enable students to evaluate supporting theories of Earth changes. The use of models and observance of patterns to explain common phenomena is essential to building a conceptual foundation and supporting ideas with evidence at all levels. In middle school, students begin to look beyond what can be directly observed as they explore the Earth-sun-moon system, as well as the rest of our solar system, employing the concept of scale within their models. Patterns play an important role as students seek to develop a conceptual understanding of gravity in their world and in the universe. (Academic Expectations 2.1, 2.2, 2.3)

SC-8-EU-U-1. Program of Studies: Understandings - Students will understand that the Earth is almost unimaginably old when viewed on a human time scale, and some processes that shape it are happening so slowly they cannot be easily detected in a lifetime. The accepted age of our Earth and solar system (4.6 billion years) is based on a wide variety of data collected by a number of different methods. 6
Suggested Titles for Kentucky Science State Standard SC-8-EU-U-1.

SC-9-EU-U-2. Program of Studies: Understandings - Students will understand that heat flow and movement of molten rock within the interior of the Earth results in crustal changes such as earthquakes, volcanoes and continental drift. 5
Suggested Titles for Kentucky Science State Standard SC-9-EU-U-2.

SC-8-EU-U-3. Program of Studies: Understandings - Students will understand that a model cannot represent a full-scale phenomenon with complete accuracy, even if it only addresses very few attributes of the original. 2
Suggested Titles for Kentucky Science State Standard SC-8-EU-U-3.

SC-8-UD. Big Idea: Unity and Diversity (Biological Science) - All matter is comprised of the same basic elements, goes through the same kinds of energy transformations, and uses the same kinds of forces to move. Living organisms are no exception. In middle school, students begin to compare, contrast, and classify the microscopic features of organisms - the cells, as well as investigate reproduction as the essential process to the continuation of all species. Expected patterns of genetic traits are predicted. Distinctions are made between learned behaviors and inherited traits. Emphasis at every level should be placed upon the understanding that while every living thing is composed of similar small constituents that combine in predictable ways, it is the subtle variations within these small building blocks that account for both the likenesses and differences in form and function that create the diversity of life. (Academic Expectations 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4)

SC-8-UD-U-1. Program of Studies: Understandings - Students will understand that all cells contain specialized parts that are structured to efficiently perform the cell's essential functions. 15
Suggested Titles for Kentucky Science State Standard SC-8-UD-U-1.

SC-8-UD-U-2. Program of Studies: Understandings - Students will understand that complex organisms can exist because their genes contain the information needed to create and reproduce cells with specialized functions. 11
Suggested Titles for Kentucky Science State Standard SC-8-UD-U-2.

SC-8-UD-U-3. Program of Studies: Understandings - Students will understand that organisms have nervous systems that allow them to react to changes in their surroundings and within themselves. Some of their reactions (e.g. pain response) are determined genetically while others (e.g. pushing a button to obtain food) are learned. 10
Suggested Titles for Kentucky Science State Standard SC-8-UD-U-3.

SC-8-UD-U-4. Program of Studies: Understandings - Students will understand that patterns (e.g. reproductive method, number of body segments, type of skeleton) are helpful in classifying organisms based on how they are related. Science considers details of internal and external structures to be more important than behavior or general appearance. 13
Suggested Titles for Kentucky Science State Standard SC-8-UD-U-4.

SC-8-UD-U-5. Program of Studies: Understandings - Students will understand that technological advances have made it possible for humans to alter the natural world. Ethical considerations and the probability of unintended consequences make it essential that the potential risks and rewards of any scientific endeavor be carefully considered before proceeding. 16
Suggested Titles for Kentucky Science State Standard SC-8-UD-U-5.

SC-8-BC. Big Idea: Biological Change (Biological Science) - The only thing certain is that everything changes. At the middle school level, students study relationships among populations and ecosystems that contribute to the success or demise of a specific population or species. Students construct basic explanations that can account for the great diversity among organisms. (Academic Expectations 2.1, 2.2, 2.5, 2.6)

SC-8-BC-U-1. Program of Studies: Understandings - Students will understand that thousands of layers of sedimentary rock provide evidence for the long history of the Earth and the long history of changing life forms whose remains are found in the rocks. More recently deposited rock layers contain fossils that more closely resemble existing species. 1
Suggested Titles for Kentucky Science State Standard SC-8-BC-U-1.

SC-8-BC-U-2. Program of Studies: Understandings - Students will understand that observations of the fossil record provide evidence that helps to explain why externally diverse organisms are so similar at the molecular level. 2
Suggested Titles for Kentucky Science State Standard SC-8-BC-U-2.

SC-8-BC-U-3. Program of Studies: Understandings - Students will understand that scientists cannot always control experimental conditions to obtain evidence. When that is not possible, they try to observe as wide a range of natural occurrences as possible to be able to identify patterns. 2
Suggested Titles for Kentucky Science State Standard SC-8-BC-U-3.

SC-8-ET. Big Idea: Energy Transformations (Unifying Concepts) - Energy transformations are inherent in almost every system in the universe - from tangible examples at the elementary level, such as heat production in simple Earth and physical systems to more abstract ideas beginning at middle school, such as those transformations involved in the growth, dying and decay of living systems. The use of models to illustrate the often invisible and abstract notions of energy transfer will aid in conceptualization, especially as students move from the macroscopic level of observation and evidence (primarily elementary school) to the microscopic interactions at the atomic level (middle and high school levels). (Academic Expectations 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4)

SC-8-ET-U-1. Program of Studies: Understandings - Students will understand that energy can be transferred in many ways, but it can neither be created nor destroyed. 22
Suggested Titles for Kentucky Science State Standard SC-8-ET-U-1.

SC-8-ET-U-2. Program of Studies: Understandings - Students will understand that a steady supply of energy is essential for our society, but every source of energy has potential problems as well as benefits. Not all forms of energy are practical to use given our current state of technology. 22
Suggested Titles for Kentucky Science State Standard SC-8-ET-U-2.

SC-8-ET-U-3. Program of Studies: Understandings - Students will understand that solar energy influences global climate in a number of direct and indirect ways. Patterns of global climate can be determined through analysis of climatic data. 43
Suggested Titles for Kentucky Science State Standard SC-8-ET-U-3.

SC-8-ET-U-4. Program of Studies: Understandings - Students will understand that although many forms of energy exist, they can all be classified as either kinetic energy, potential energy, or energy contained within a field. 21
Suggested Titles for Kentucky Science State Standard SC-8-ET-U-4.

SC-8-ET-U-5. Program of Studies: Understandings - Students will understand that the interaction of waves with matter provides the vehicle for a number of important types of energy transfer. 21
Suggested Titles for Kentucky Science State Standard SC-8-ET-U-5.

SC-8-ET-U-6. Program of Studies: Understandings - Students will understand that changes that occur to any one component of an ecosystem may influence the entire system, since all of the components are interrelated. The relationships that exist can be determined by observing the flow of energy. 7
Suggested Titles for Kentucky Science State Standard SC-8-ET-U-6.

SC-8-ET-U-7. Program of Studies: Understandings - Students will understand that many systems contain feedback mechanisms that serve to keep changes within specified limits. 4
Suggested Titles for Kentucky Science State Standard SC-8-ET-U-7.

SC-8-I. Big Idea: Interdependence (Unifying Concepts) - It is not difficult for students to grasp the general notion that species depend on one another and on the environment for survival. But their awareness must be supported by knowledge of the kinds of relationships that exist among organisms, the kinds of physical conditions that organisms must cope with, the kinds of environments created by the interaction of organisms with one another and their physical surroundings, and the complexity of such systems. In middle school, students should be guided from specific examples of the interdependency of organisms to a more systematic view of the interactions that take place among organisms and their surroundings. Students growing understanding of systems in general will reinforce the concept of ecosystems. Stability and change in ecosystems can be considered in terms of variables such as population size, number and kinds of species, productivity, and the effect of human intervention. (Academic Expectations 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4)

SC-8-I-U-1. Program of Studies: Understandings - Students will understand that organisms both cooperate and compete in ecosystems. Balanced patterns of cooperation and competition may generate ecosystems that are relatively stable for hundreds or thousands of years. 4
Suggested Titles for Kentucky Science State Standard SC-8-I-U-1.

SC-8-I-U-2. Program of Studies: Understandings - Students will understand that the matter in an ecosystem is constantly transferred between and among organisms and the physical environment. While the form and location is continuously changing, the total amount of matter in the system remains constant. 4
Suggested Titles for Kentucky Science State Standard SC-8-I-U-2.

SC-8-I-U-3. Program of Studies: Understandings - Students will understand that it is important to consider what population will benefit and what population (not necessarily the same one) will bear the cost when deciding among alternative courses of action. 4
Suggested Titles for Kentucky Science State Standard SC-8-I-U-3.

SC-8-I-U-4. Program of Studies: Understandings - Students will understand that sometimes decisions have unintended consequences no matter how thoughtfully they were made, and may actually create new problems and needs. 43
Suggested Titles for Kentucky Science State Standard SC-8-I-U-4.