Grade 8: SCSS 2.2, 2.3, 3.4, 3.6, 3.7

Grade 8 Science
Earth's Biological History
Standard 8-2: The student will demonstrate an understanding of Earth's biological diversity over time. (Life Science, Earth Science)

Indicators:
2.2 Summarize how scientists study Earth's past environment and diverse life-forms by examining different types of fossils (including molds, casts, petrified fossils, preserved and carbonized remains of plants and animals, and trace fossils).
2.3 Explain how Earth's history has been influenced by catastrophes (including the impact of an asteroid or comet, climatic changes, and volcanic activity) that have affected the conditions on Earth and the diversity of its life-forms.

Earth's Structure and Processes
Standard 8-3: The student will demonstrate an understanding of materials that determine the structure of Earth and the processes that have altered this structure. (Earth Science)

Indicators:
3.4 Explain how igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks are interrelated in the rock cycle.
3.6 Explain how the theory of plate tectonics accounts for the motion of the lithospheric plates, the geologic activities at the plate boundaries, and the changes in landform areas over geologic time.
3.7 Illustrate the creation and changing of landforms that have occurred through geologic processes (including volcanic eruptions and mountain-building forcers).