New Mexico State Standards for Science: Grade 8

NM.I. Scientific Thinking and Practice: Understand the processes of scientific investigations and use inquiry and scientific ways of observing, experimenting, predicting, and validating to think critically.

I-A. Use scientific methods to develop questions, design and conduct experiments using appropriate technologies, analyze and evaluate results, make predictions, and communicate findings.

I-A.1a. Evaluate the accuracy and reproducibility of data and observations. 3
Suggested Titles for New Mexico Science State Standard I-A.1a.

I-A.2a. Use a variety of technologies to gather, analyze and interpret scientific data. 19
Suggested Titles for New Mexico Science State Standard I-A.2a.

I-A.3a. Know how to recognize and explain anomalous data. 3
Suggested Titles for New Mexico Science State Standard I-A.3a.

I-B. Understand the processes of scientific investigation and how scientific inquiry results in scientific knowledge.

I-B.1a. Examine alternative explanations for observations. 3
Suggested Titles for New Mexico Science State Standard I-B.1a.

I-B.2a. Describe ways in which science differs from other ways of knowing and from other bodies of knowledge (e.g., experimentation, logical arguments, skepticism). 10
Suggested Titles for New Mexico Science State Standard I-B.2a.

I-B.3a. Know that scientific knowledge is built on questions posed as testable hypotheses, which are tested until the results are accepted by peers. 3
Suggested Titles for New Mexico Science State Standard I-B.3a.

I-C. Use mathematical ideas, tools, and techniques to understand scientific knowledge.

I-C.1a. Use mathematical expressions and techniques to explain data and observations and to communicate findings (e.g., formulas and equations, significant figures, graphing, sampling, estimation, mean). 3
Suggested Titles for New Mexico Science State Standard I-C.1a.

I-C.2a. Create models to describe phenomena. 3
Suggested Titles for New Mexico Science State Standard I-C.2a.

NM.II. Content of Science: Earth and Space Science: Understand the structure of Earth, the solar system, and the universe, the interconnections among them, and the processes and interactions of Earth's systems.

II-A. Describe how the concepts of energy, matter, and force can be used to explain the observed behavior of the solar system, the universe, and their structures.

II-A.1a. Understand how energy from the sun and other stars, in the form of light, travels long distances to reach Earth. 5
Suggested Titles for New Mexico Science State Standard II-A.1a.

II-A.2a. Explain how the properties of light (e.g., emission, reflection, refraction) emitted from the sun and stars are used to learn about the universe, including: distances in the solar system and the universe; temperatures of different stars. 4
Suggested Titles for New Mexico Science State Standard II-A.2a.

II-A.3a. Understand how gravitational force acts on objects in the solar system and the universe, including: similar action on masses on Earth and on other objects in the solar system; explanation of the orbits of the planets around the sun. 34
Suggested Titles for New Mexico Science State Standard II-A.3a.

II-A.4a. Structure of Matter: Identify the protons, neutrons, and electrons within an atom and describe their locations (i.e., in the nucleus or in motion outside the nucleus). 3
Suggested Titles for New Mexico Science State Standard II-A.4a.

II-A.5a. Structure of Matter: Explain that elements are organized in the periodic table according to their properties. 6
Suggested Titles for New Mexico Science State Standard II-A.5a.

II-A.6a. Structure of Matter: Know that compounds are made of two or more elements, but not all sets of elements can combine to form compounds. 6
Suggested Titles for New Mexico Science State Standard II-A.6a.

II-A.7a. Changes in Matter: Know that phase changes are physical changes that can be reversed (e.g., evaporation, condensation, melting). 2
Suggested Titles for New Mexico Science State Standard II-A.7a.

II-A.8a. Changes in Matter: Describe various familiar physical and chemical changes that occur naturally (e.g., snow melting, photosynthesis, rusting, burning). 11
Suggested Titles for New Mexico Science State Standard II-A.8a.

II-A.9a. Changes in Matter: Identify factors that influence the rate at which chemical reactions occur (e.g., temperature, concentration). 4
Suggested Titles for New Mexico Science State Standard II-A.9a.

II-A.10a. Changes in Matter: Know that chemical reactions can absorb energy (endothermic reactions) or release energy (exothermic reactions). 4
Suggested Titles for New Mexico Science State Standard II-A.10a.

II-B. Describe the structure of Earth and its atmosphere and explain how energy, matter, and forces shape Earth's systems.

II-B.1a. Describe the role of pressure (and heat) in the rock cycle. 15
Suggested Titles for New Mexico Science State Standard II-B.1a.

II-B.2a. Understand the unique role water plays on Earth, including: ability to remain liquid at most Earth temperatures; properties of water related to processes in the water cycle (evaporation, condensation, precipitation, surface run-off, percolation); dissolving of minerals and gases and transport to the oceans; fresh and salt water in oceans, rivers, lakes, and glaciers; reactant in photosynthesis. 10
Suggested Titles for New Mexico Science State Standard II-B.2a.

II-B.3a. Understand the geologic conditions that have resulted in energy resources (e.g., oil, coal, natural gas) available in New Mexico. 15
Suggested Titles for New Mexico Science State Standard II-B.3a.

II-B.4a. Energy Transformation: Know that electrical energy is the flow of electrons through electrical conductors that connect sources of electrical energy to points of use, including: electrical current paths through parallel and series circuits; production of electricity by fossil-fueled and nuclear power plants, wind generators, geothermal plants, and solar cells; and use of electricity by appliances and equipment (e.g., calculators, hair dryers, light bulbs, motors). 15
Suggested Titles for New Mexico Science State Standard II-B.4a.

II-B.5a. Waves: Understand how light and radio waves carry energy through vacuum or matter by: straight-line travel unless an object is encountered; reflection by a mirror, refraction by a lens, absorption by a dark object; separation of white light into different wavelengths by prisms; and visibility of objects due to light emission or scattering. 12
Suggested Titles for New Mexico Science State Standard II-B.5a.

II-B.6a. Waves: Understand that vibrations of matter (e.g., sound, earthquakes, water waves) carry wave energy, including: sound transmission through solids, liquids, and gases; relationship of pitch and loudness of sound to rate and distance (amplitude) of vibration; and ripples made by objects dropped in water. 2
Suggested Titles for New Mexico Science State Standard II-B.6a.

II-C. Understand the structure of organisms and the function of cells in living systems.

II-C.1a. Describe how cells use chemical energy obtained from food to conduct cellular functions (i.e., respiration). 8
Suggested Titles for New Mexico Science State Standard II-C.1a.

II-C.2a. Explain that photosynthesis in green plants captures the energy from the sun and stores it chemically. 9
Suggested Titles for New Mexico Science State Standard II-C.2a.

II-C.3a. Describe how chemical substances can influence cellular activity (e.g., pH). 9
Suggested Titles for New Mexico Science State Standard II-C.3a.

II-C.4a. Forces: Know that electric charge produces electrical fields and magnets produce magnetic fields. 4
Suggested Titles for New Mexico Science State Standard II-C.4a.

II-C.5a. Forces: Know how a moving magnetic field can produce an electric current (generator) and how an electric current can produce a magnetic field (electromagnet). 4
Suggested Titles for New Mexico Science State Standard II-C.5a.

II-C.6a. Forces: Know that Earth has a magnetic field. 2
Suggested Titles for New Mexico Science State Standard II-C.6a.

II-C.7a. Motion: Know that an object's motion is always described relative to some other object or point (i.e., frame of reference). 8
Suggested Titles for New Mexico Science State Standard II-C.7a.

II-C.8a. Motion: Understand and apply Newton's Laws of Motion: objects in motion will continue in motion and objects at rest will remain at rest unless acted upon by an unbalanced force (inertia); if a greater force is applied to an object a proportionally greater acceleration will occur; if an object has more mass the effect of an applied force is proportionally less. 6
Suggested Titles for New Mexico Science State Standard II-C.8a.

NM.II. Content of Science: Life Science: Understand the properties, structures, and processes of living things and the interdependence of living things and their environments.

II-A. Explain the diverse structures and functions of living things and the complex relationships between living things and their environments.

II-A.1a. Describe how matter moves through ecosystems (e.g., water cycle, carbon cycle). 4
Suggested Titles for New Mexico Science State Standard II-A.1a.

II-A.2a. Describe how energy flows through ecosystems (e.g., sunlight, green plants, food for animals). 19
Suggested Titles for New Mexico Science State Standard II-A.2a.

II-A.3a. Explain how a change in the flow of energy can impact an ecosystem (e.g., the amount of sunlight available for plant growth, global climate change). 14
Suggested Titles for New Mexico Science State Standard II-A.3a.

II-B. Understand how traits are passed from one generation to the next and how species evolve.

II-B.1a. Understand that living organisms are made mostly of molecules consisting of a limited number of elements (e.g., carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen). 4
Suggested Titles for New Mexico Science State Standard II-B.1a.

II-B.2a. Identify DNA as the chemical compound involved in heredity in living organisms. 22
Suggested Titles for New Mexico Science State Standard II-B.2a.

II-B.3a. Describe the widespread role of carbon in the chemistry of living systems. 2
Suggested Titles for New Mexico Science State Standard II-B.3a.

II-C. Understand the structure of organisms and the function of cells in living systems.

II-C.1a. Describe how cells use chemical energy obtained from food to conduct cellular functions (i.e., respiration). 8
Suggested Titles for New Mexico Science State Standard II-C.1a.

II-C.2a. Explain that photosynthesis in green plants captures the energy from the sun and stores it chemically. 5
Suggested Titles for New Mexico Science State Standard II-C.2a.

II-C.3a. Describe how chemical substances can influence cellular activity (e.g., pH). 18
Suggested Titles for New Mexico Science State Standard II-C.3a.

NM.II. Content of Science: Earth and Space Science: Understand the structure of Earth, the solar system, and the universe, the interconnections among them, and the processes and interactions of Earth's systems.

II-A. Describe how the concepts of energy, matter, and force can be used to explain the observed behavior of the solar system, the universe, and their structures.

II-A.1a. Understand how energy from the sun and other stars, in the form of light, travels long distances to reach Earth. 7
Suggested Titles for New Mexico Science State Standard II-A.1a.

II-A.2a. Explain how the properties of light (e.g., emission, reflection, refraction) emitted from the sun and stars are used to learn about the universe, including: distances in the solar system and the universe; temperatures of different stars. 7
Suggested Titles for New Mexico Science State Standard II-A.2a.

II-A.3a. Understand how gravitational force acts on objects in the solar system and the universe, including: similar action on masses on Earth and on other objects in the solar system; explanation of the orbits of the planets around the sun. 15
Suggested Titles for New Mexico Science State Standard II-A.3a.

II-B. Describe the structure of Earth and its atmosphere and explain how energy, matter, and forces shape Earth's systems.

II-B.1a. Describe the role of pressure (and heat) in the rock cycle.

II-B.2a. Understand the unique role water plays on Earth, including: ability to remain liquid at most Earth temperatures; properties of water related to processes in the water cycle (evaporation, condensation, precipitation, surface run-off, percolation); dissolving of minerals and gases and transport to the oceans; fresh and salt water in oceans, rivers, lakes, and glaciers; reactant in photosynthesis. 8
Suggested Titles for New Mexico Science State Standard II-B.2a.

II-B.3a. Understand the geologic conditions that have resulted in energy resources (e.g., oil, coal, natural gas) available in New Mexico. 14
Suggested Titles for New Mexico Science State Standard II-B.3a.

NM.III. Science and Society: Understand how scientific discoveries, inventions, practices, and knowledge influence, and are influenced by, individuals and societies.

III-A. Explain how scientific discoveries and inventions have changed individuals and societies.

III-A.1a. Analyze the interrelationship between science and technology (e.g., germ theory, vaccines). 66
Suggested Titles for New Mexico Science State Standard III-A.1a.

III-A.2a. Describe how scientific information can help to explain environmental phenomena (e.g., floods, earthquakes, volcanoes, fire, extreme weather). 7
Suggested Titles for New Mexico Science State Standard III-A.2a.

III-A.3a. Describe how technological revolutions have significantly influenced societies (e.g., energy production, warfare, space exploration). 25
Suggested Titles for New Mexico Science State Standard III-A.3a.

III-A.4a. Critically analyze risks and benefits associated with technologies related to energy production. 14
Suggested Titles for New Mexico Science State Standard III-A.4a.