South Carolina State Standards for Science: Grade 8

SC.8-1. Scientific Inquiry: The student will demonstrate an understanding of technological design and scientific inquiry, including process skills, mathematical thinking, controlled investigative design and analysis, and problem solving.

8-1.1. Design a controlled scientific investigation. 2
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 8-1.1.

8-1.2. Recognize the importance of a systematic process for safely and accurately conducting investigations. 2
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 8-1.2.

8-1.3. Construct explanations and conclusions from interpretations of data obtained during a controlled scientific investigation. 2
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 8-1.3.

8-1.4. Generate questions for further study on the basis of prior investigations. 2
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 8-1.4.

8-1.5. Explain the importance of and requirements for replication of scientific investigations. 2
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 8-1.5.

8-1.6. Use appropriate tools and instruments (including convex lenses, plane mirrors, color filters, prisms, and slinky springs) safely and accurately when conducting a controlled scientific investigation. 2
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 8-1.6.

8-1.7. Use appropriate safety procedures when conducting investigations. 2
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 8-1.7.

SC.8-2. Earth's Biological History: The student will demonstrate an understanding of Earth's biological diversity over time. (Life Science, Earth Science)

8-2.1. Explain how biological adaptations of populations enhance their survival in a particular environment. 3
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 8-2.1.

8-2.2. Summarize how scientists study Earth's past environment and diverse life-forms by examining different types of fossils (including molds, casts, petrified fossils, preserved and carbonized remains of plants and animals, and trace fossils). 2
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 8-2.2.

8-2.3. Explain how Earth's history has been influenced by catastrophes (including the impact of an asteroid or comet, climatic changes, and volcanic activity) that have affected the conditions on Earth and the diversity of its life-forms. 8
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 8-2.3.

8-2.4. Recognize the relationship among the units - era, epoch, and period - into which the geologic time scale is divided. 5
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 8-2.4.

8-2.5. Illustrate the vast diversity of life that has been present on Earth over time by using the geologic time scale. 10
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 8-2.5.

8-2.6. Infer the relative age of rocks and fossils from index fossils and the ordering of the rock layers. 3
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 8-2.6.

8-2.7. Summarize the factors, both natural and man-made, that can contribute to the extinction of a species. 2
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 8-2.7.

SC.8-3. Earth's Structure and Processes: The student will demonstrate an understanding of materials that determine the structure of Earth and the processes that have altered this structure. (Earth Science)

8-3.1. Summarize the three layers of Earth - crust, mantle, and core - on the basis of relative position, density, and composition. 2
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 8-3.1.

8-3.2. Explain how scientists use seismic waves - primary, secondary, and surface waves - and Earth's magnetic fields to determine the internal structure of Earth. 2
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 8-3.2.

8-3.3. Infer an earthquake's epicenter from seismographic data. 5
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 8-3.3.

8-3.4. Explain how igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks are interrelated in the rock cycle. 2
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 8-3.4.

8-3.5. Summarize the importance of minerals, ores, and fossil fuels as Earth resources on the basis of their physical and chemical properties. 15
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 8-3.5.

8-3.6. Explain how the theory of plate tectonics accounts for the motion of the lithospheric plates, the geologic activities at the plate boundaries, and the changes in landform areas over geologic time. 1
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 8-3.6.

8-3.7. Illustrate the creation and changing of landforms that have occurred through geologic processes (including volcanic eruptions and mountain-building forces). 1
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 8-3.7.

8-3.8. Explain how earthquakes result from forces inside Earth. 4
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 8-3.8.

8-3.9. Identify and illustrate geologic features of South Carolina and other regions of the world through the use of imagery (including aerial photography and satellite imagery) and topographic maps. 3
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 8-3.9.

SC.8-4. Astronomy: Earth and Space Systems: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the characteristics, structure, and predictable motions of celestial bodies. (Earth Science)

8-4.1. Summarize the characteristics and movements of objects in the solar system (including planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and meteors). 7
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 8-4.1.

8-4.2. Summarize the characteristics of the surface features of the Sun: photosphere, corona, sunspots, prominences, and solar flares. 7
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 8-4.2.

8-4.3. Explain how the surface features of the Sun may affect Earth. 46
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 8-4.3.

8-4.4. Explain the motions of Earth and the Moon and the effects of these motions as they orbit the Sun (including day, year, phases of the Moon, eclipses, and tides). 5
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 8-4.4.

8-4.5. Explain how the tilt of Earth's axis affects the length of the day and the amount of heating on Earth's surface, thus causing the seasons of the year. 5
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 8-4.5.

8-4.6. Explain how gravitational forces are influenced by mass and distance. 6
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 8-4.6.

8-4.7. Explain the effects of gravity on tides and planetary orbits. 4
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 8-4.7.

8-4.8. Explain the difference between mass and weight by using the concept of gravitational force. 6
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 8-4.8.

8-4.9. Recall the Sun's position in the universe, the shapes and composition of galaxies, and the distance measurement unit (light year) needed to identify star and galaxy locations. 14
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 8-4.9.

8-4.10. Compare the purposes of the tools and the technology that scientists use to study space (including various types of telescopes, satellites, space probes, and spectroscopes). 16
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 8-4.10.

SC.8-5. Forces and Motion: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the effects of forces on the motion of an object. (Physical Science)

8-5.1. Use measurement and time-distance graphs to represent the motion of an object in terms of its position, direction, or speed. 1
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 8-5.1.

8-5.2. Use the formula for average speed, v = d/t, to solve real-world problems. 3
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 8-5.2.

8-5.3. Analyze the effects of forces (including gravity and friction) on the speed and direction of an object. 9
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 8-5.3.

8-5.4. Predict how varying the amount of force or mass will affect the motion of an object. 9
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 8-5.4.

8-5.5. Analyze the resulting effect of balanced and unbalanced forces on an object's motion in terms of magnitude and direction. 9
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 8-5.5.

8-5.6. Summarize and illustrate the concept of inertia. 9
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 8-5.6.

SC.8-6. Waves: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the properties and behaviors of waves. (Physical Science)

8-6.1. Recall that waves transmit energy but not matter. 6
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 8-6.1.

8-6.2. Distinguish between mechanical and electromagnetic waves. 6
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 8-6.2.

8-6.3. Summarize factors that influence the basic properties of waves (including frequency, amplitude, wavelength, and speed). 6
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 8-6.3.

8-6.4. Summarize the behaviors of waves (including refraction, reflection, transmission, and absorption). 6
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 8-6.4.

8-6.5. Explain hearing in terms of the relationship between sound waves and the ear. 5
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 8-6.5.

8-6.6. Explain sight in terms of the relationship between the eye and the light waves emitted or reflected by an object. 4
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 8-6.6.

8-6.7. Explain how the absorption and reflection of light waves by various materials result in the human perception of color. 2
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 8-6.7.

8-6.8. Compare the wavelength and energy of waves in various parts of the electromagnetic spectrum (including visible light, infrared, and ultraviolet radiation). 6
Suggested Titles for South Carolina Science State Standard 8-6.8.