Subject:

Physical Science 8th Grade

Learning Goal: Students will understand the skills scientists use to plan and carry out scientific investigations.
Standard: SC.8.N.1.1. Define a problem from the eighth grade curriculum using appropriate reference materials to support scientific understanding,
plan and carry out scientific investigations of various types, such as systematic observations or experiments, identify variables, collect and organize
data, interpret data in charts, tables, and graphics, analyze information, make predictions, and defend conclusions. [H] (Also assesses SC.8.N.2.2-
Discuss what characterizes science and its methods [M], S.C.8.N.2.1- Distinguish between scientific and pseudoscientific ideas [M], S.C.8.N.3.1- Select models
useful in relating the results of their own investigations [M], S.C.8.N.3.2- Explain why theories may be modified but are rarely discarded [M].
Topic (Keywords): Nature of Science
In addition to Score 3.0, in-depth inferences and applications that go beyond instruction to the standard
The student will:
Design a scientific investigation using proper steps and terminology (Science Fair Project)
Write a conclusion that analyses the claim, data, evidence and reasoning of the data in an experiment that they developed.
No major errors or omissions regarding the score 4.0 content

4.0

3.0

2.0

1.0

0.0

3.5 In addition to score 3.0 performance, in-depth inferences and applications with partial success
The student will:
Analyze Information
Understand and carry out the processes of scientific investigation
Make predictions
Differentiate between qualitative and quantitative observations
Defend conclusions
Identify variables and controls
Differentiate between mass and weight
Interpret data from charts, graph and tables
No major errors or omissions regarding the score 3.0 content (simple or complex)

2.5 No major errors or omissions regarding 2.0 content and partial knowledge of the 3.0 content
The student recognizes and describes specific terminology such as:
Hypothesis
Experiment


Control
Mass
Independent (test) Variable
Analyze
Empirical Evidence
Weight
Dependent (outcome)
Conclusion


Model

Volume
Variable
Predict


Observation
Density
Data
Infer/Inference
Theory
SI Unit
Scientific Investigation
Replication

Law
Objective Reasoning
The student will:

Subjective Reasoning
Identify skills scientists use to learn about the natural world.

Pseudoscience
List the steps of a scientific investigation.

Recall the SI units for various measurements.
Follow lab safety procedures.
No major errors or omissions regarding the simpler details and processes but major errors or omissions regarding the more complex
ideas and processes

1.5 Partial knowledge of the score 2.0 content, but major errors or omissions regarding score 3.0 content
With help, a partial understanding of some of the simpler details and processes and some of the more complex ideas and processes.

0.5 With help, a partial understanding of the score 2.0 content, but not the score 3.0 content
Even with help, no understanding or skill demonstrated