New Jersey State Standards for Science: Grade 8

NJ.5.1. Scientific Processes: All students will develop problem-solving, decision-making and inquiry skills, reflected by formulating usable questions and hypotheses, planning experiments, conducting systematic observations, interpreting and analyzing data, drawing conclusions, and communicating results.

5.1.8.A.1. Habits of Mind: Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of data, claims, and arguments. 28
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.1.8.A.1.

5.1.8.A.2. Habits of Mind: Communicate experimental findings to others. 59
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.1.8.A.2.

5.1.8.A.3. Habits of Mind: Recognize that the results of scientific investigations are seldom exactly the same and that replication is often necessary. 26
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.1.8.A.3.

5.1.8.A.4. Habits of Mind: Recognize that curiosity, skepticism, open-mindedness, and honesty are attributes of scientists. 85
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.1.8.A.4.

5.1.8.B.1. Inquiry and Problem Solving: Identify questions and make predictions that can be addressed by conducting investigations. 26
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.1.8.B.1.

5.1.8.B.2. Inquiry and Problem Solving: Design and conduct investigations incorporating the use of a control. 26
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.1.8.B.2.

5.1.8.B.3. Inquiry and Problem Solving: Collect, organize, and interpret the data that result from experiments. 26
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.1.8.B.3.

5.1.8.C.1. Safety: Know when and how to use appropriate safety equipment with all classroom materials. 4
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.1.8.C.1.

5.1.8.C.2. Safety: Understand and practice safety procedures for conducting science investigations. 4
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.1.8.C.2.

NJ.5.2. Science and Society: All students will develop an understanding of how people of various cultures have contributed to the advancement of science and technology, and how major discoveries and events have advanced science and technology.

5.2.8.A.1. Cultural Contributions: Recognize that scientific theories: develop over time, depend on the contributions of many people, and reflect the social and political climate of their time. 101
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.2.8.A.1.

5.2.8.A.2. Cultural Contributions: Know that scientists are men and women of many cultures who often work together to solve scientific and technological problems. 101
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.2.8.A.2.

5.2.8.A.3. Cultural Contributions: Describe how different people in different cultures have made and continue to make contributions to science and technology. 85
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.2.8.A.3.

5.2.8.B.1. Historical Perspectives: Describe the impact of major events and people in the history of science and technology, in conjunction with other world events. 193
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.2.8.B.1.

5.2.8.B.2. Historical Perspectives: Describe the development and exponential growth of scientific knowledge and technological innovations. 234
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.2.8.B.2.

NJ.5.3. Mathematical Applications: All students will integrate mathematics as a tool for problem-solving in science, and as a means of expressing and/or modeling scientific theories.

5.3.8.A.1. Numerical Operations: Express quantities using appropriate number formats, such as: decimals, percents, scientific notation. 9
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.3.8.A.1.

5.3.8.B.1. Geometry and Measurement: Perform mathematical computations using labeled quantities and express answers in correctly derived units. 47
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.3.8.B.1.

5.3.8.C.1. Patterns and Algebra: Express physical relationships in terms of mathematical equations derived from collected data. 30
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.3.8.C.1.

5.3.8.D.1. Data Analysis and Probability: Represent and describe mathematical relationships among variables using: graphs; tables. 188
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.3.8.D.1.

5.3.8.D.2. Data Analysis and Probability: Analyze experimental data sets using measures of central tendency: mean, mode, median. 191
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.3.8.D.2.

5.3.8.D.3. Data Analysis and Probability: Construct and use a graph of experimental data to draw a line of best fit and identify a linear relationship between variables when appropriate. 51
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.3.8.D.3.

5.3.8.D.4. Data Analysis and Probability: Use computer spreadsheets, graphing and database applications to assist in quantitative analysis of data. 141
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.3.8.D.4.

NJ.5.4. Nature and Process of Technology: All students will understand the interrelationships between science and technology and develop a conceptual understanding of the nature and process of technology.

5.4.8.A.1. Science and Technology: Compare and contrast science with technology, illustrating similarities and differences between these two human endeavors. 110
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.4.8.A.1.

5.4.8.B.1. Nature of Technology: Analyze a product or system to determine the problem it was designed to solve, the design constraints, trade-offs and risks involved in using the product or system, how the product or system might fail, and how the product or system might be improved. 71
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.4.8.B.1.

5.4.8.C.1. Technological Design: Recognize how feedback loops are used to control systems. 48
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.4.8.C.1.

NJ.5.5. Characteristics of Life: All students will gain an understanding of the structure, characteristics, and basic needs of organisms and will investigate the diversity of life.

5.5.8.A.1. Matter, Energy and Organization in Living Systems: Explain how the products respiration and photosynthesis are recycled. 236
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.5.8.A.1.

5.5.8.A.2. Matter, Energy and Organization in Living Systems: Recognize that complex multicellular organisms, including humans, are composed of and defined by interactions of the following: cells, tissues, organs, systems. 149
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.5.8.A.2.

5.5.8.B.1. Diversity and Biological Evolution: Compare and contrast kinds of organisms using their internal and external characteristics. 187
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.5.8.B.1.

5.5.8.B.2. Diversity and Biological Evolution: Discuss how changing environmental conditions can result in evolution or extinction of a species. 165
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.5.8.B.2.

5.5.8.B.3. Diversity and Biological Evolution: Recognize that individual organisms with certain traits are more likely to survive and have offspring. 168
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.5.8.B.3.

5.5.8.C.1. Reproduction and Heredity: Describe how the sorting and recombining of genetic material results in the potential for variation among offspring of humans and other species. 78
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.5.8.C.1.

NJ.5.6. Chemistry: All students will gain an understanding of the structure and behavior of matter.

5.6.8.A.1. Structure and Properties of Matter: Know that all matter is composed of atoms that may join together to form molecules. 150
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.6.8.A.1.

5.6.8.A.2. Structure and Properties of Matter: Recognize that the phase of matter is determined by the arrangement and motion of atoms and molecules and that the motion of these particles is related to the energy of the system. 150
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.6.8.A.2.

5.6.8.A.3. Structure and Properties of Matter: Know that there are groups of elements that have similar properties, including highly reactive metals, less reactive metals, highly reactive non-metals, and some almost completely non-reactive gases. 177
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.6.8.A.3.

5.6.8.A.4. Structure and Properties of Matter: Recognize that a mixture often can be separated into the original substances using one of more of their characteristic physical properties 129
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.6.8.A.4.

5.6.8.B.1. Chemical Reactions: Show how substances can chemically react with each other to form new substances having properties different from those of the original substances. 17
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.6.8.B.1.

5.6.8.B.2. Chemical Reactions: Show that in most chemical reactions energy is transferred into or out of a system. 17
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.6.8.B.2.

5.6.8.B.3. Chemical Reactions: Demonstrate that regardless how substances within a simple closed system interact, the total mass of the system remains the same. 17
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.6.8.B.3.

5.6.8.B.4. Chemical Reactions: Illustrate how atoms are rearranged when substances react, but that the total number of atoms and the total mass of the products remain the same as the original substances. 17
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.6.8.B.4.

NJ.5.7. Physics: All students will gain an understanding of natural laws as they apply to motion, forces, and energy transformations.

5.7.8.A.1. Motion and Forces: Use quantitative data to show that when more than one force acts on an object at the same time, the forces can reinforce or cancel each other producing a net (unbalanced) force that will change speed and/or direction of the object. 11
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.7.8.A.1.

5.7.8.A.2. Motion and Forces: Recognize that every object exerts a gravitational force on every other object, and that the force depends on how much mass the objects have and how far apart they are. 13
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.7.8.A.2.

5.7.8.B.1. Energy Transformations: Recognize that the sun is a major source of the Earth's energy and that solar energy includes visible, infrared and, ultraviolet radiation. 40
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.7.8.B.1.

5.7.8.B.2. Energy Transformations: Describe the nature of various forms of energy, including heat, light, sound, chemical, mechanical, and electrical and trace energy transformations from one form to another. 191
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.7.8.B.2.

5.7.8.B.3. Energy Transformations: Describe how heat can be conducted through materials or transferred across space by radiation and know that if the material is a fluid, convection currents may aid the transfer of heat. 127
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.7.8.B.3.

5.7.8.B.4. Energy Transformations: Show that light is reflected, refracted, or absorbed when it interacts with matter and that colors may appear as a result of this interaction. 418
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.7.8.B.4.

NJ.5.8. Earth Science: All students will gain an understanding of the structure, dynamics, and geophysical systems of the earth.

5.8.8.A.1. Earth's Properties and Materials: Observe that most rocks and soils are made of several substances or minerals. 5
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.8.8.A.1.

5.8.8.A.2. Earth's Properties and Materials: Observe that the properties of soil vary from place to place and will affect the soil's ability to support life. 48
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.8.8.A.2.

5.8.8.A.3. Earth's Properties and Materials: Recognize that fossils provide evidence about the plants and animals that lived long ago and the nature of the environment at that time. 2
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.8.8.A.3.

5.8.8.B.1. Atmosphere and Water: Describe conditions in the atmosphere that lead to weather systems and how these systems are represented on weather maps. 108
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.8.8.B.1.

5.8.8.C.1. Processes that Shape the Earth: Explain how Earth's landforms and materials are created through constructive and destructive processes. 43
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.8.8.C.1.

5.8.8.C.2. Processes that Shape the Earth: Show how successive layers of sedimentary rock and the fossils contained in them can be used to confirm the age, history, changing life forms, and geology of Earth. 53
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.8.8.C.2.

5.8.8.D.1. How We Study the Earth: Utilize data gathered from emerging technologies (i.e. geographic information systems (GIS) and global positioning systems (GPS)) to create representations and describe processes of change on the Earth's surface. 54
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.8.8.D.1.

5.8.8.D.2. How We Study the Earth: Explain how technology designed to investigate features of the Earth's surface impacts how scientists study the Earth. 119
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.8.8.D.2.

NJ.5.9. Astronomy and Space Science: All students will gain an understanding of the origin, evolution, and structure of the universe.

5.9.8.A.1. Earth, Moon, Sun System: Investigate the Earth, moon, and sun as a system and explain how the motion of these bodies results in the phases of the moon and eclipses. 1180
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.9.8.A.1.

5.9.8.A.2. Earth, Moon, Sun System: Explain how the regular and predictable motions of the Earth and moon produce tides. 127
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.9.8.A.2.

5.9.8.A.3. Earth, Moon, Sun System: Explain how the tilt, rotation, and orbital pattern of the Earth relative to the sun produce seasons and weather patterns. 1224
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.9.8.A.3.

5.9.8.B.1. Solar System: Describe the physical characteristics of the planets and other objects within the solar system and compare Earth to the rest of the planets. 15
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.9.8.B.1.

5.9.8.C.1. Stars: Understand that the sun is a star and that it shares characteristics with other stars. 147
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.9.8.C.1.

5.9.8.D.1. Galaxies and Universe: Know that the universe consists of many billions of galaxies, each including billions of stars. 71
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.9.8.D.1.

NJ.5.10. Environmental Studies: All students will develop an understanding of the environment as a system of interdependent components affected by human activity and natural phenomena.

5.10.8.A.1. Natural Systems and Interactions: Investigate the impact of catastrophic events such as forest fires, floods, and hurricanes on the environment of New Jersey. 41
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.10.8.A.1.

5.10.8.B.1. Human Interactions and Impact: Compare and contrast practices that affect the use and management of natural resources. 88
Suggested Titles for New Jersey Science State Standard 5.10.8.B.1.