Montana State Standards for Science: Grade 8

MT.1. Students, through the inquiry process, demonstrate the ability to design, conduct, evaluate, and communicate the results and form reasonable conclusions of scientific investigations.

8.1.1. Students will identify a question, determine relevant variables and a control, formulate a testable hypothesis, plan and predict the outcome of an investigation, safely conduct scientific investigation, and compare and analyze data. 3
Suggested Titles for Montana Science State Standard 8.1.1.

8.1.2. Students will select and use appropriate tools including technology to make measurements (in metric units), gather, process and analyze data from scientific investigations. 2
Suggested Titles for Montana Science State Standard 8.1.2.

8.1.3. Students will review, communicate and defend results of investigations, including considering alternative explanations. 1
Suggested Titles for Montana Science State Standard 8.1.3.

8.1.4. Students will create models to illustrate scientific concepts and use the model to predict change (e.g., computer simulation, stream table, graphic representation) 2
Suggested Titles for Montana Science State Standard 8.1.4.

8.1.5. Students will identify strengths and weakness in an investigation design. 1
Suggested Titles for Montana Science State Standard 8.1.5.

8.1.6. Students will compare how observations of nature form an essential base of knowledge among the Montana American Indians. 1
Suggested Titles for Montana Science State Standard 8.1.6.

MT.2. Students, through the inquiry process, demonstrate knowledge of properties, forms, changes and interactions of physical and chemical systems.

8.2.1. Students will classify, describe, and manipulate the physical models of matter in terms of: elements, and compounds, pure substances and mixtures, atoms, and molecules. 6
Suggested Titles for Montana Science State Standard 8.2.1.

8.2.2. Students will examine, describe, compare and classify objects and substances based on common physical properties and simple chemical properties. 1
Suggested Titles for Montana Science State Standard 8.2.2.

8.2.3. Students will describe energy and compare and contrast the energy transformations and the characteristics of light, heat, motion, magnetism, electricity, sound and mechanical waves. 16
Suggested Titles for Montana Science State Standard 8.2.3.

8.2.4. Students will model and explain the states of matter are dependent upon the quantity of energy present in the system and describe what will change and what will remain unchanged at the particulate level when matter experiences an external force or energy change. 2
Suggested Titles for Montana Science State Standard 8.2.4.

8.2.5. Students will describe and explain the motion of an object in terms of its position, direction, & speed as well as the forces acting upon it. 9
Suggested Titles for Montana Science State Standard 8.2.5.

8.2.6. Students will identify, build, describe, measure, and analyze mechanical systems (e.g., simple and complex compound machines) and describe the forces acting within those systems. 2
Suggested Titles for Montana Science State Standard 8.2.6.

8.2.7. Students will give examples and describe how energy is transferred and conserved (e.g. electric to light and heat [light bulb], chemical to mechanical [fuel to propulsion]). 1
Suggested Titles for Montana Science State Standard 8.2.7.

MT.3. Students, through the inquiry process, demonstrate knowledge of characteristics, structures and function of living things, the process and diversity of life, and how living organisms interact with each other and their environment.

8.3.1. Students will compare the structure and function of prokaryotic cells (bacteria) and eukaryotic cells (plant, animal, etc.) including the levels of organization of the structure and function, particularly with humans. 23
Suggested Titles for Montana Science State Standard 8.3.1.

8.3.2. Students will explain how organisms and systems of organisms obtain and use energy resources to maintain stable conditions (e.g., food webs, photosynthesis, respiration) 2
Suggested Titles for Montana Science State Standard 8.3.2.

8.3.3. Students will communicate the differences in the reproductive processes of a variety of plants and animals using the principles of genetic modeling (e.g., Punnet squares) 2
Suggested Titles for Montana Science State Standard 8.3.3.

8.3.4. Students will investigate and explain the interdependent nature of populations and communities in the environment and describe how species in these populations adapt by evolving. 12
Suggested Titles for Montana Science State Standard 8.3.4.

8.3.5. Students will create and use a basic classification scheme to identify plants and animals. 7
Suggested Titles for Montana Science State Standard 8.3.5.

MT.4. Students, through the inquiry process, demonstrate knowledge of the composition, structures, processes and interactions of Earth's systems and other objects in space.

8.4.1. Students will model and explain the internal structure of the earth and describe the formation and composition of earth's external features in terms of the rock cycle and plate tectonics and constructive and destructive forces.

8.4.2. Students will differentiate between rocks types and minerals types and classify both by how they are formed and the utilization by humans. 3
Suggested Titles for Montana Science State Standard 8.4.2.

8.4.3. Students will use fossils to describe the geological timeline. 1
Suggested Titles for Montana Science State Standard 8.4.3.

8.4.4. Students will describe the water cycle, the composition and structure of the atmosphere and the impact of oceans on large-scale weather patterns. 5
Suggested Titles for Montana Science State Standard 8.4.4.

8.4.5. Students will describe and model the motion and tilt of earth in relation to the sun, and explain the concepts of day, night, seasons, year, and climatic changes. 3
Suggested Titles for Montana Science State Standard 8.4.5.

8.4.6. Students will describe the earth, moon, planets and other objects in space in terms of size, force of gravity, structure, and movement in relation to the sun. 11
Suggested Titles for Montana Science State Standard 8.4.6.

8.4.7. Students will identify scientific theories about the origin and evolution of the earth and solar system. 2
Suggested Titles for Montana Science State Standard 8.4.7.

MT.5. Students, through the inquiry process, understand how scientific knowledge and technological developments impact communities, cultures and societies.

8.5.1. Students will describe the specific fields of science and technology as they relate to occupations within those fields. 6
Suggested Titles for Montana Science State Standard 8.5.1.

8.5.2. Students will apply scientific knowledge and process skills to understand issues and everyday events. 9
Suggested Titles for Montana Science State Standard 8.5.2.

8.5.3. Students will simulate collaborative problem solving and give examples of how scientific knowledge and technology are shared with other scientists and the public. 5
Suggested Titles for Montana Science State Standard 8.5.3.

8.5.4. Students will use scientific knowledge to investigate problems and their proposed solutions and evaluate those solutions while considering environmental impacts. 7
Suggested Titles for Montana Science State Standard 8.5.4.

8.5.5. Students will describe how the knowledge of science and technology influences the development of the Montana American Indian cultures. 8
Suggested Titles for Montana Science State Standard 8.5.5.

MT.6. Students understand historical developments in science and technology.

8.6.1. Students will give examples of scientific discoveries and describe the interrelationship between technological advances and scientific understanding, including Montana American Indian examples. 11
Suggested Titles for Montana Science State Standard 8.6.1.

8.6.2. Students will identify major milestones in science that have impacted science, technology, and society. 9
Suggested Titles for Montana Science State Standard 8.6.2.

8.6.3. Students will describe and explain science as a human endeavor and an ongoing process. 2
Suggested Titles for Montana Science State Standard 8.6.3.