GEMS Correlations with the
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Science
Grade 8


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Science, Grade 8.

Knowledge and skills.

(1) Scientific processes. The student conducts field and laboratory investigations using safe, environmentally appropriate, and ethical practices. The student is expected to:

(A) demonstrate safe practices during field and laboratory investigations; and

Appropriate GEMS Teacher's Guides: Acid Rain, Animals in Action, Bubble-ology, Chemical Reactions, Color Analyzers, Convection, Crime Lab Chemistry, Discovering Density, Dry Ice Investigations, Earth, Moon, & Stars, Environmental Detectives, Experimenting With Model Rockets, Fingerprinting, Global Warming, Height-O-Meters, Hot Water and Warm Homes, Learning About Learning, Messages From Space, Microscopic Explorations, Moons of Jupiter, More Than Magnifiers, Mystery Festival, Ocean Currents, Only One Ocean, Oobleck, Paper Towel Testing, Plate Tectonics, The Real Reasons for Seasons, River Cutters, Stories in Stone

(B) make wise choices in the use and conservation of resources and the disposal or recycling of materials.

Appropriate GEMS Teacher's Guides: Acid Rain, Animals in Action, Dry Ice Investigations, Environmental Detectives, Global Warming, Hot Water and Warm Homes, Ocean Currents, Only One Ocean, Paper Towel Testing, River Cutters

(2) Scientific processes. The student uses scientific inquiry methods during field and laboratory investigations. The student is expected to:

(A) plan and implement investigative procedures including asking questions, formulating testable hypotheses, and selecting and using equipment and technology;

Appropriate GEMS Teacher's Guides: Acid Rain, Animals in Action, Bubble-ology, Chemical Reactions, Convection, Dry Ice Investigations, Experimenting With Model Rockets, Hot Water and Warm Homes, Learning About Learning, Paper Towel Testing, River Cutters

(B) collect data by observing and measuring;

Appropriate GEMS Teacher's Guides: Acid Rain, Animals in Action, Bubble-ology, Chemical Reactions, Color Analyzers, Convection, Crime Lab Chemistry, Discovering Density, Dry Ice Investigations, Earth, Moon, & Stars, Environmental Detectives, Experimenting With Model Rockets, Fingerprinting, Global Warming, Height-O-Meters, Hot Water and Warm Homes, Learning About Learning, Messages From Space, Microscopic Explorations, Moons of Jupiter, More Than Magnifiers, Mystery Festival, Ocean Currents, Only One Ocean, Oobleck, Paper Towel Testing, Plate Tectonics, The Real Reasons for Seasons, River Cutters, Stories in Stone

(C) organize, analyze, evaluate, make inferences, and predict trends from direct and indirect evidence;

Acid Rain, Animals in Action, Bubble-ology, Chemical Reactions, Color Analyzers, Convection, Crime Lab Chemistry, Discovering Density, Dry Ice Investigations, Earth, Moon, & Stars, Environmental Detectives, Experimenting With Model Rockets, Fingerprinting, Global Warming, Height-O-Meters, Hot Water and Warm Homes, Learning About Learning, Messages From Space, Microscopic Explorations, Moons of Jupiter, More Than Magnifiers, Mystery Festival, Ocean Currents, Only One Ocean, Oobleck, Paper Towel Testing, Plate Tectonics, The Real Reasons for Seasons, River Cutters, Stories in Stone

(D) communicate valid conclusions; and

Appropriate GEMS Teacher's Guides: Acid Rain, Animals in Action, Bubble-ology, Chemical Reactions, Color Analyzers, Convection, Crime Lab Chemistry, Discovering Density, Dry Ice Investigations, Earth, Moon, & Stars, Environmental Detectives, Experimenting With Model Rockets, Fingerprinting, Global Warming, Height-O-Meters, Hot Water and Warm Homes, Learning About Learning, Messages From Space, Microscopic Explorations, Moons of Jupiter, More Than Magnifiers, Mystery Festival, Ocean Currents, Only One Ocean, Oobleck, Paper Towel Testing, Plate Tectonics, The Real Reasons for Seasons, River Cutters, Stories in Stone

(E) construct graphs, tables, maps, and charts using tools including computers to organize, examine, and evaluate data.

Appropriate GEMS Teacher's Guides: Acid Rain, Animals in Action, Bubble-ology, Chemical Reactions, Color Analyzers, Convection, Discovering Density, Dry Ice Investigations, Earth, Moon, & Stars, Environmental Detectives, Experimenting With Model Rockets, Fingerprinting, Global Warming, Height-O-Meters, Hot Water and Warm Homes, Learning About Learning, Messages From Space, Microscopic Explorations, Moons of Jupiter, More Than Magnifiers, Mystery Festival, Ocean Currents, Only One Ocean, Paper Towel Testing, Plate Tectonics, The Real Reasons for Seasons, River Cutters, Stories in Stone

(3) Scientific processes. The student uses critical thinking and scientific problem solving to make informed decisions. The student is expected to:

(A) analyze, review, and critique scientific explanations, including hypotheses and theories, as to their strengths and weaknesses using scientific evidence and information;

Appropriate GEMS Teacher's Guides: Acid Rain, Animals in Action, Bubble-ology, Chemical Reactions, Convection, Dry Ice Investigations, Earth, Moon, & Stars, Environmental Detectives, Global Warming, Hot Water and Warm Homes, Learning About Learning, Messages From Space, Moons of Jupiter, Mystery Festival, Ocean Currents, Only One Ocean, Oobleck, Paper Towel Testing, Plate Tectonics, The Real Reasons for Seasons, River Cutters

(B) draw inferences based on data related to promotional materials for products and services;

Appropriate GEMS Teacher's Guides: Bubble-ology, Environmental Detectives, Hot Water and Warm Homes, Learning About Learning, Only One Ocean, Paper Towel Testing

(C) represent the natural world using models and identify their limitations;

Appropriate GEMS Teacher's Guides: Acid Rain, Animals in Action, Convection, Earth, Moon, & Stars, Environmental Detectives, Global Warming, Learning About Learning, Messages From Space, Moons of Jupiter, Ocean Currents, Only One Ocean, Plate Tectonics, The Real Reasons for Seasons, River Cutters, Stories in Stone

(D) evaluate the impact of research on scientific thought, society, and the environment; and

Appropriate GEMS Teacher's Guides: Acid Rain, Convection, Dry Ice Investigations, Earth, Moon, & Stars, Environmental Detectives, Global Warming, Hot Water and Warm Homes, Learning About Learning, Messages From Space, Moons of Jupiter, Mystery Festival, Ocean Currents, Only One Ocean, Oobleck, Paper Towel Testing, Plate Tectonics, The Real Reasons for Seasons, River Cutters

(E) connect Grade 8 science concepts with the history of science and contributions of scientists.

Appropriate GEMS Teacher's Guides: Bubble-ology, Dry Ice Investigations, Earth, Moon, & Stars, Environmental Detectives, Fingerprinting, Global Warming, Learning About Learning, Messages From Space, Moons of Jupiter, More Than Magnifiers, Mystery Festival, Ocean Currents, Only One Ocean, Oobleck, Plate Tectonics, The Real Reasons for Seasons, River Cutters

(4) Scientific processes. The student knows how to use a variety of tools and methods to conduct science inquiry. The student is expected to:

(A) collect, record, and analyze information using tools including beakers, petri dishes, meter sticks, graduated cylinders, weather instruments, hot plates, dissecting equipment, test tubes, safety goggles, spring scales, balances, microscopes, telescopes, thermometers, calculators, field equipment, computers, computer probes, water test kits, and timing devices; and

Appropriate GEMS Teacher's Guides: Acid Rain, Animals in Action, Bubble-ology, Chemical Reactions, Color Analyzers, Convection, Crime Lab Chemistry, Discovering Density, Dry Ice Investigations, Earth, Moon, & Stars, Environmental Detectives, Experimenting With Model Rockets, Fingerprinting, Global Warming, Height-O-Meters, Hot Water and Warm Homes, Learning About Learning, Messages From Space, Microscopic Explorations, Moons of Jupiter, More Than Magnifiers, Mystery Festival, Ocean Currents, Only One Ocean, Oobleck, Paper Towel Testing, Plate Tectonics, The Real Reasons for Seasons, River Cutters, Stories in Stone

(B) extrapolate from collected information to make predictions.

Appropriate GEMS Teacher's Guides: Acid Rain, Animals in Action, Bubble-ology, Chemical Reactions, Color Analyzers, Convection, Crime Lab Chemistry, Discovering Density, Dry Ice Investigations, Earth, Moon, & Stars, Environmental Detectives, Experimenting With Model Rockets, Fingerprinting, Global Warming, Hot Water and Warm Homes, Learning About Learning, Messages From Space, Moons of Jupiter, More Than Magnifiers, Mystery Festival, Ocean Currents, Only One Ocean, Oobleck, Paper Towel Testing, Plate Tectonics, The Real Reasons for Seasons, River Cutters, Stories in Stone

(5) Scientific processes. The student knows that relationships exist between science and technology. The student is expected to:

(A) identify a design problem and propose a solution;

Appropriate GEMS Teacher's Guides: Acid Rain, Bubble-ology, Convection, Discovering Density, Dry Ice Investigations, Environmental Detectives, Experimenting With Model Rockets, Global Warming, Hot Water and Warm Homes, Moons of Jupiter, More Than Magnifiers, Ocean Currents, Oobleck, River Cutters

(B) design and test a model to solve the problem; and

Appropriate GEMS Teacher's Guides: Bubble-ology, Convection, Discovering Density, Dry Ice Investigations, Experimenting With Model Rockets, Hot Water and Warm Homes, Moons of Jupiter, More Than Magnifiers, Ocean Currents, Oobleck, River Cutters

(C) evaluate the model and make recommendations for improving the model.

Appropriate GEMS Teacher's Guides: Acid Rain, Bubble-ology, Convection, Discovering Density, Dry Ice Investigations, Experimenting With Model Rockets, Hot Water and Warm Homes, Moons of Jupiter, More Than Magnifiers, Ocean Currents, Oobleck, River Cutters

(6) Science concepts. The student knows that interdependence occurs among living systems. The student is expected to:

(A) describe interactions among systems in the human organism;

Appropriate GEMS Teacher's Guides: Learning About Learning

(B) identify feedback mechanisms that maintain equilibrium of systems such as body temperature, turgor pressure, and chemical reactions; and

Appropriate GEMS Teacher's Guides: None at this time.

(C) describe interactions within ecosystems.

Appropriate GEMS Teacher's Guides: Acid Rain, Environmental Detectives, Global Warming, Only One Ocean

(7) Science concepts. The student knows that there is a relationship between force and motion. The student is expected to:

(A) demonstrate how unbalanced forces cause changes in the speed or direction of an object's motion; and

Appropriate GEMS Teacher's Guides: Experimenting With Model Rockets

(B) recognize that waves are generated and can travel through different media.

Appropriate GEMS Teacher's Guides: None at this time.

(8) Science concepts. The student knows that matter is composed of atoms. The student is expected to:

(A) describe the structure and parts of an atom; and

Appropriate GEMS Teacher's Guides: None at this time.

(B) identify the properties of an atom including mass and electrical charge.

Appropriate GEMS Teacher's Guides: None at this time.

(9) Science concepts. The student knows that substances have chemical and physical properties. The student is expected to:

(A) demonstrate that substances may react chemically to form new substances;

Appropriate GEMS Teacher's Guides: Acid Rain, Chemical Reactions, Environmental Detectives

(B) interpret information on the periodic table to understand that physical properties are used to group elements;

Appropriate GEMS Teacher's Guides: None at this time.

(C) recognize the importance of formulas and equations to express what happens in a chemical reaction; and

Appropriate GEMS Teacher's Guides: None at this time.

(D) identify that physical and chemical properties influence the development and application of everyday materials such as cooking surfaces, insulation, adhesives, and plastics.

Appropriate GEMS Teacher's Guides: None at this time.

(10) Science concepts. The student knows that complex interactions occur between matter and energy. The student is expected to:

(A) illustrate interactions between matter and energy including specific heat;

Appropriate GEMS Teacher's Guides: Dry Ice Investigations, Global Warming, Hot Water and Warm Homes

(B) describe interactions among solar, weather, and ocean systems; and

Appropriate GEMS Teacher's Guides: Ocean Currents, Only One Ocean

(C) identify and demonstrate that loss or gain of heat energy occurs during exothermic and endothermic chemical reactions.

Appropriate GEMS Teacher's Guides: Chemical Reactions

(11) Science concepts. The student knows that traits of species can change through generations and that the instructions for traits are contained in the genetic material of the organisms. The student is expected to:

(A) identify that change in environmental conditions can affect the survival of individuals and of species;

Appropriate GEMS Teacher's Guides: Acid Rain, Environmental Detectives, Global Warming, Mapping Animal Movements, Mapping Fish Habitats, Ocean Currents, Only One Ocean

(B) distinguish between inherited traits and other characteristics that result from interactions with the environment; and

Appropriate GEMS Teacher's Guides: Learning About Learning, Only One Ocean

(C) make predictions about possible outcomes of various genetic combinations of inherited characteristics.

Appropriate GEMS Teacher's Guides: None at this time.

(12) Science concepts. The student knows that cycles exist in Earth systems. The student is expected to:

(A) analyze and predict the sequence of events in the lunar and rock cycles;

Appropriate GEMS Teacher's Guides: Earth, Moon, & Stars; Stories in Stone

(B) relate the role of oceans to climatic changes; and

Appropriate GEMS Teacher's Guides: Global Warming, Ocean Currents

(C) predict the results of modifying the Earth's nitrogen, water, and carbon cycles.

Appropriate GEMS Teacher's Guides: Global Warming

(13) Science concepts. The student knows characteristics of the universe. The student is expected to:

(A) describe characteristics of the universe such as stars and galaxies;

Appropriate GEMS Teacher's Guides: Messages From Space

(B) explain the use of light years to describe distances in the universe; and

Appropriate GEMS Teacher's Guides: Messages From Space

(C) research and describe historical scientific theories of the origin of the universe.

Appropriate GEMS Teacher's Guides: None at this time.

(14) Science concepts. The student knows that natural events and human activities can alter Earth systems. The student is expected to:

(A) predict land features resulting from gradual changes such as mountain building, beach erosion, land subsidence, and continental drift;

Appropriate GEMS Teacher's Guides: Plate Tectonics, River Cutters, Stories in Stone

(B) analyze how natural or human events may have contributed to the extinction of some species; and

Appropriate GEMS Teacher's Guides: Environmental Detectives, Global Warming, Ocean Currents, Only One Ocean

(C) describe how human activities have modified soil, water, and air quality.

Appropriate GEMS Teacher's Guides: Acid Rain, Environmental Detectives, River Cutters

Lawrence Hall of Science    © 2016 UC Regents. All rights reserved.    Contact GEMS    Updated February 06, 2021