t o p i c s |
NC s t a n d a r d s |
Hydrology
Chemistry Microbes Biotechnology |
Natural Resources
Evolution Energy Ecosystems |
d e t a i l s
Hydrology & the Hydrosphere
8.E.1. Understand the hydrosphere and the impact of humans on local systems and the effects of the hydrosphere on humans.
Essential Questions
Chemistry
8.P.1: Understand the properties of matter and changes that occur when matter interacts in an open and closed system
Essential Questions:
Diseases
8.L.1: Understand the hazards caused by agents of diseases that affect living organisms
Essential Questions:
Biotechnology
8.L.2: Understand how biotechnology is used to affect living organisms
Essential Questions:
8.P.2: Explain the environmental implications associated with the various methods of obtaining, managing, and using energy resources
Essential Questions:
Evolution
8.E.2: Understand the history of Earth and its life forms based on evidence of change recorded in fossil records and landforms
8.L.4: Understand the evolution of organisms and landforms based on evidence, theories, and processes that impact the Earth over time.
Essential Questions:
Energy
8.L.5: Understand the composition of various substances as it relates to the ability to serve as a source of energy and building materials for growth and repair of organism.
Essential Questions:
Ecosystems
8.L.3: Understand how organisms interact with and respond to the biotic and abiotic components of their environment.
Essential Questions:
8.E.1. Understand the hydrosphere and the impact of humans on local systems and the effects of the hydrosphere on humans.
Essential Questions
- How do factors interact to determine the distribution of water in the hydrosphere?
- How does the water cycle affect water distribution on Earth?
- How safe and drinkable is the water in different areas of North Carolina?
- How are physical and biological factors used to determine the quality of water?
- How do factors interact to determine the distribution of water in the hydrosphere?
- How does the water cycle affect water distribution on Earth?
- How do river basins affect water availability?
- What can we do to protect our water supply?
- How do we know what the oceans are made of?
- How do Earth’s oceans affect other ecosystems?
- What are different ways humans use water in their daily life?
- How do water reclamation and treatment plants make water safe for humans and other animals?
Chemistry
8.P.1: Understand the properties of matter and changes that occur when matter interacts in an open and closed system
Essential Questions:
- How does matter change phases?
- How do atoms change when energy is either added or removed?
- How does the arrangement of atoms determine the classification of matter?
- How are elements, mixtures and compounds distinguished from one another?
- How do heterogeneous and homogeneous mixtures compare to one another?
- What is the relationship between the arrangement of the elements on the Periodic Table and their reactivity?
- How do the physical characteristics of elements factor into their arrangement on the Periodic Table?
- How would you identify a physical or chemical change?
- How does the law of conservation of mass relate to atoms?
Diseases
8.L.1: Understand the hazards caused by agents of diseases that affect living organisms
Essential Questions:
- How do the basic characteristics of viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites influence the treatment and/or prevention of disease?
- In what ways do the basic characteristics of viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites affect the spread of disease?
- How do the basic characteristics of viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites influence the treatment and/or prevention of disease?
Biotechnology
8.L.2: Understand how biotechnology is used to affect living organisms
Essential Questions:
- Is it ethical to create/design living organisms?
- Should you know/have a say in which foods are genetically altered before eating them?
- How might advances in biotechnology affect society?
- How have we benefited from biotechnology?
- Do the benefits of genetically altered organisms outweigh the risks?
8.P.2: Explain the environmental implications associated with the various methods of obtaining, managing, and using energy resources
Essential Questions:
- How can the way we obtain, transform, and distribute energy affect the environment?
- What is the difference between renewable and nonrenewable?
- Why is the conservation of energy important?
- What are the consequences of mismanaging our resources?
Evolution
8.E.2: Understand the history of Earth and its life forms based on evidence of change recorded in fossil records and landforms
8.L.4: Understand the evolution of organisms and landforms based on evidence, theories, and processes that impact the Earth over time.
Essential Questions:
- How is the age of rocks, fossils, and Earth determined?
- How does evidence support that Earth itself and life on it has changed over time?
- How does genetic variation relate to an organism's survival in a changing environment?
- How has the structure of Earth changed over time?
- What is the difference between artificial selection and natural selection?
- How have living things changed over time?
- How does scientific evidence support the theory of evolution?
Energy
8.L.5: Understand the composition of various substances as it relates to the ability to serve as a source of energy and building materials for growth and repair of organism.
Essential Questions:
- How do organisms obtain energy from food?
- What can you do to improve the general health of your body?
- How can alcohol, tobacco, and environmental factors affect your health?
Ecosystems
8.L.3: Understand how organisms interact with and respond to the biotic and abiotic components of their environment.
Essential Questions:
- How do factors such as food, water, shelter, and space affect populations in an ecosystem?
- How do these factors interact to affect populations in an ecosystem?
- Explain what is meant by the "health of a population" What affect the health of a population?
- How and why do organisms interact with one another?
- How do food webs model the distribution of energy in an ecosystem?
- In what ways do matter and energy connect?