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Beaverton School District
Beaverton School District

Beaverton Schools

8th Grade Science Learning Targets

Science, 8 (Rubrics)

ALT 1 - Science Practices: Uses the practices of science inquiry to design, investigate, model, and explain phenomena using appropriate tools, techniques, and variables.

  • AST 1.1 - Asks Questions:  Asks testable questions that arise from observations of phenomena, models, or unexpected results.
  • AST 1.2 - Develops and Uses Models:  Develops, uses, evaluates, and revises models to describe, test, and predict phenomena.
  • AST 1.3 - Designs Investigations:  Plans and carries out investigations that identify and appropriately measure variables to provide data as evidence to support explanations or solutions.
  • AST 1.4 - Analyzes and Interprets Data:   Analyzes and interprets data, using graphical displays, to provide evidence for phenomena. Accurately labeled includes title, column titles, description of units, proper intervals.
  • AST 1.5 - Mathematical and Computational Thinking: Uses mathematical and computational thinking to identify patterns and trends in data sets in order to evaluate and support scientific conclusions.
  • AST 1.6 - Constructs Explanations: Constructs explanations based on valid and reliable evidence and applies scientific ideas and principles to explain the phenomena.
  • AST 1.7 - Engages in Argument from Evidence: Engages with evidence to construct or critique a convincing argument that supports or refutes a claim and uses argumentation to listen to, compare, and evaluate competing ideas supported by scientific reasoning.

 

ALT 2 - Engineering Design: Designs, constructs, tests and evaluates a solution to a defined problem using appropriate tools and materials.

  • AST 2.1 - Defines the Problem:  Defines the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions. (MS-ETS1-1)
  • AST 2.2 - Evaluates Competing Solutions:  Evaluates competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem. (MS-ETS1-2)
  • AST 2.3 - Analyzes Design Solutions:  Analyzes data from tests to determine similarities and differences among several design solutions to identify the best characteristics of each that can be combined into a new solution to better meet the criteria for success. (MS-ETS1-3)
  • AST 2.4 - Develops and Iterates Solutions:  Develops a model or prototype to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved. (MS-ETS1-4)

 

ALT 3 - Disciplinary Core Ideas: Uses the disciplinary core ideas of science to explain phenomena and design solutions.

  • AST 3.1 - Heredity: Inheritance & Variation of Traits:  Demonstrates knowledge that traits are variable and are the result of genes made of DNA that encodes proteins. (MS-LS3)
  • AST 3.2 - Biological Evolution: Unity & Diversity:  Demonstrates knowledge that organisms evolve via natural selection and that multiple lines of evidence support the theory of evolution. (MS-LS4)
  • AST 3.3 - Earth's Place in the Universe:  Demonstrates knowledge of systems at varying spatial scales (planet, solar system, galaxy, universe) to explain observable phenomena in space, the role of gravity, and Earth’s history. (MS-ESS1)
  • AST 3.4 - Earth and Human Activity:  Demonstrates knowledge of the impact increasing human populations have on Earth. (MS-ESS3)
  • AST 3.5 - Motion and Interaction: Forces & Stability:  Demonstrates knowledge of Newton’s laws, including how a variety of forces and the interactions between those forces impact objects. (MS-PS2)
  • AST 3.6 - Energy:  Demonstrates knowledge of the types of energy and explains the relationship between energy and forces. (MS-PS3)
  • AST 3.7 - Waves & Information Transfer: Demonstrates knowledge of mathematical representations and models that describe the energy of a wave, the way waves interact with materials, and how waves transmit information. (MS-PS4)

 

ALT 4 - Science & Society: Constructs an explanation of how science and engineering influence our understandings, decisions, and changes to societies over time.

  • AST 4.1 - Interdependence of Science and Technology:  Synthesizes how science and engineering have supported the development of scientific theories, technology, and changes to society.
  • AST 4.2 - Scientific Ethics:  Evaluates the short and long term effects of applying scientific understanding to address issues in the natural world and society.
  • AST 4.3 - Personal Impacts:  Articulates the impacts of personal, traditional, and community knowledge and practices on the natural world and society.

 

ALT 5 - Literacy in Science: Obtains, reads, evaluates, and communicates scientific information.

  • AST 5.1 - Obtains Information:  Obtains information from multiple credible sources.
  • AST 5.2 - Reads Informational Texts:  Reads information critically to determine the central ideas or conclusions, collect evidence, and/or obtain scientific information.
  • AST 5.3 - Evaluates Sources:  Evaluates the evidence, bias, and usefulness of multiple information sources (scientific, technical, text-based, and media / visual).
  • AST 5.4 - Communicates Ideas:  Communicates and synthesizes scientific and/or technical information or ideas in multiple formats effectively (including orally, graphically, textually, and mathematically).