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Skills available for Alberta grade 8 science curriculum

Objectives are in black and IXL science skills are in dark green. Hold your mouse over the name of a skill to view a sample question. Click on the name of a skill to practise that skill.

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Alberta Program of Studies: Cells and Systems Alberta Program of Studies: Cells and Systems
Alberta Program of Studies: Freshwater and Saltwater Systems Alberta Program of Studies: Freshwater and Saltwater Systems
Alberta Program of Studies: Light and Optical Systems Alberta Program of Studies: Light and Optical Systems
Alberta Program of Studies: Mechanical Systems Alberta Program of Studies: Mechanical Systems
Alberta Program of Studies: Mix and Flow of Matter Alberta Program of Studies: Mix and Flow of Matter

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E Freshwater and Saltwater Systems

E.STS-K Outcomes for Science, Technology and Society (STS) and Knowledge
- E.STS-K.1 Describe the distribution and characteristics of water in local and global environments, and identify the significance of water supply and quality to the needs of humans and other living things
  - E.STS-K.1.a describe, in general terms, the distribution of water in Alberta, Canada and the world; and interpret information about water characteristics (e.g., identify glaciers, snow, polar icecaps, ground water and oceans as components of Earth's water; interpret graphical information on the availability of potable water)
  - E.STS-K.1.b recognize that fresh water and salt water contain varying amounts of dissolved materials, particulates and biological components; and interpret information on these component materials
  - E.STS-K.1.c identify major factors used in determining if water is potable, and describe and demonstrate tests of water quality (e.g., investigate and describe the physical characteristics of a sample of water, such as clarity, salinity and hardness; investigate biological tests)
  - E.STS-K.1.d describe, in general terms, methods for generating fresh water from salt water, based on evaporation, distillation and reverse osmosis
- E.STS-K.2 Investigate and interpret linkages among landforms, water and climate
  - E.STS-K.2.a describe the processes of erosion and deposition resulting from wave action and water flow, by: identifying dissolved solids and sediment loads, and identifying sources and endpoints for these materials; and describing how waves and tides are generated and how they interact with shorelines
  - E.STS-K.2.b investigate and describe stream characteristics (e.g., describe the slope, flow rate and stream profile characteristics of a model stream on a stream table)
  - E.STS-K.2.c describe processes leading to the development of ocean basins and continental drainage systems (e.g., describe the formation of geological features on the ocean floor, such as continental shelves and trenches)
  - E.STS-K.2.d identify evidence of glacial action, and analyze factors affecting the growth and attrition of glaciers and polar icecaps (e.g., identify factors that affect the size of polar ice sheets and the Columbia Icefield)
  - E.STS-K.2.e describe the movement of ocean currents and its impact on regional climates (e.g., effects of the Gulf Stream, Labrador Current, El Niño, La Niña)
    - Factors affecting climate: distance from the ocean (8-S.4)
    - Factors affecting climate: surface ocean currents (8-S.5)
- E.STS-K.3 Analyze factors affecting productivity and species distribution in marine and freshwater environments
  - E.STS-K.3.a investigate life forms found in fresh water and salt water, and identify and interpret examples of adaptations to these environments (e.g., describe and interpret examples of fish and invertebrate species found in a local freshwater environment)
  - E.STS-K.3.b analyze factors that contribute to the development of adaptations in species found in saltwater and freshwater environments
  - E.STS-K.3.c investigate and interpret examples of seasonal, short-term and long-term change in populations of living things found in aquatic environments (e.g., algal blooms, changes in local freshwater fish populations, cod and salmon stock depletion)
  - E.STS-K.3.d analyze relationships between water quality and living things, and infer the quality of water based on the diversity of life supported by it
- E.STS-K.4 Analyze human impacts on aquatic systems; and identify the roles of science and technology in addressing related questions, problems and issues
  - E.STS-K.4.a analyze human water uses, and identify the nature and scope of impacts resulting from different uses (e.g., identify pollutants in ground water and surface water systems resulting from domestic and industrial use; analyze the effects of agriculture and forestry practices on stream flow and water quality)
  - E.STS-K.4.b identify current practices and technologies that affect water quality, evaluate environmental costs and benefits, and identify and evaluate alternatives (e.g., research and analyze alternatives for ensuring safe supplies of potable water; research, analyze and debate alternatives for a specific water quality issue, such as the location and design of a landfill, the protection of a natural waterway, the use of secondary and tertiary wastewater treatment, the salinization of soils due to irrigation, the eutrophication of ponds and streams due to excess use of phosphates in fertilizers and detergents, or a proposal to export water resources)
  - E.STS-K.4.c illustrate the role of scientific research in monitoring environments and supporting development of appropriate environmental technologies (e.g., describe a local example of aquatic monitoring, and describe how this research contributes to watershed management)
  - E.STS-K.4.d provide examples of problems that cannot be solved using scientific and technological knowledge alone (e.g., the need to prevent pollutants from entering aquatic environments, the need to avoid damage from ice sheets and icebergs)
E.S Skill Outcomes
- E.S.1 Initiating and Planning: Ask questions about the relationships between and among observable variables, and plan investigations to address those questions
  - E.S.1.a identify science-related issues and problems
  - E.S.1.b identify questions to investigate, arising from science-related issues
    - Identify the experimental question (8-B.3)
    - Identify questions that can be investigated with a set of materials (8-B.4)
  - E.S.1.c select appropriate methods and tools for collecting relevant data and information (e.g., plan and conduct a search, using a wide variety of electronic sources)
    - Identify laboratory tools (8-A.2)
    - Laboratory safety equipment (8-A.3)
  - E.S.1.d design an experiment, and identify the major variables (e.g., design an experiment to compare the characteristics of two water samples)
- E.S.2 Performing and Recording: Conduct investigations into the relationships between and among observations, and gather and record qualitative and quantitative data
  - E.S.2.a research information relevant to a given issue
  - E.S.2.b select and integrate information from various print and electronic sources or from several parts of the same source (e.g., summarize information on a river basin)
  - E.S.2.c identify strengths and weaknesses of different methods of collecting and displaying data (e.g., identify strengths and weaknesses of technologies used to monitor and map changes in stream flow)
- E.S.3 Analyzing and Interpreting: Analyze qualitative and quantitative data, and develop and assess possible explanations
  - E.S.3.a apply given criteria for evaluating evidence and sources of information (e.g., assess the authenticity and reliability of electronic sources)
    - Evaluate tests of engineering-design solutions (8-C.2)
    - Use data from tests to compare engineering-design solutions (8-C.3)
  - E.S.3.b predict the value of a variable, by interpolating or extrapolating from graphical data (e.g., predict future stocks of fish based on long-term data)
  - E.S.3.c interpret patterns and trends in data, and infer and explain relationships among the variables (e.g., relate climates to proximity to oceans and to the characteristics of ocean currents)
    - Evaluate tests of engineering-design solutions (8-C.2)
    - Use data from tests to compare engineering-design solutions (8-C.3)
  - E.S.3.d identify new questions and problems arising from what was learned (e.g., identify questions, such as: "Can ocean currents be modified?", "Is kelp a viable source of food?", "How would icecap melting change Canadian coastlines?")
- E.S.4 Communication and Teamwork: Work collaboratively on problems; and use appropriate language and formats to communicate ideas, procedures and results
  - E.S.4.a use appropriate vocabulary, including correct science and technology terminology, to communicate ideas, procedures and results (e.g., use such terms as salinity, currents and basins when describing oceans and their characteristics)
  - E.S.4.b communicate questions, ideas, intentions, plans and results, using lists, notes in point form, sentences, data tables, graphs, drawings, oral language and other means (e.g., create a concept map, linking the different stages of the water cycle; prepare a multimedia presentation on changing climatic conditions and the effects on glaciers, ice sheets and water levels, incorporating graphics, audio, visuals and text gathered from remote sources)
  - E.S.4.c evaluate individual and group processes used in planning, problem solving, decision making and completing a task (e.g., discuss advantages and disadvantages of different research methods and sources used to gather information on an ocean basin)
  - E.S.4.d defend a given position on an issue, based on their findings

Alberta

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E Freshwater and Saltwater Systems

E.STS-K Outcomes for Science, Technology and Society (STS) and Knowledge

E.STS-K.1 Describe the distribution and characteristics of water in local and global environments, and identify the significance of water supply and quality to the needs of humans and other living things

E.STS-K.1.b recognize that fresh water and salt water contain varying amounts of dissolved materials, particulates and biological components; and interpret information on these component materials

E.STS-K.1.c identify major factors used in determining if water is potable, and describe and demonstrate tests of water quality (e.g., investigate and describe the physical characteristics of a sample of water, such as clarity, salinity and hardness; investigate biological tests)

E.STS-K.1.d describe, in general terms, methods for generating fresh water from salt water, based on evaporation, distillation and reverse osmosis

E.STS-K.2 Investigate and interpret linkages among landforms, water and climate

E.STS-K.2.b investigate and describe stream characteristics (e.g., describe the slope, flow rate and stream profile characteristics of a model stream on a stream table)

E.STS-K.2.c describe processes leading to the development of ocean basins and continental drainage systems (e.g., describe the formation of geological features on the ocean floor, such as continental shelves and trenches)

E.STS-K.2.d identify evidence of glacial action, and analyze factors affecting the growth and attrition of glaciers and polar icecaps (e.g., identify factors that affect the size of polar ice sheets and the Columbia Icefield)

E.STS-K.2.e describe the movement of ocean currents and its impact on regional climates (e.g., effects of the Gulf Stream, Labrador Current, El Niño, La Niña)

E.STS-K.3 Analyze factors affecting productivity and species distribution in marine and freshwater environments

E.STS-K.3.a investigate life forms found in fresh water and salt water, and identify and interpret examples of adaptations to these environments (e.g., describe and interpret examples of fish and invertebrate species found in a local freshwater environment)

E.STS-K.3.b analyze factors that contribute to the development of adaptations in species found in saltwater and freshwater environments

E.STS-K.3.c investigate and interpret examples of seasonal, short-term and long-term change in populations of living things found in aquatic environments (e.g., algal blooms, changes in local freshwater fish populations, cod and salmon stock depletion)

E.STS-K.3.d analyze relationships between water quality and living things, and infer the quality of water based on the diversity of life supported by it

E.STS-K.4 Analyze human impacts on aquatic systems; and identify the roles of science and technology in addressing related questions, problems and issues

E.STS-K.4.c illustrate the role of scientific research in monitoring environments and supporting development of appropriate environmental technologies (e.g., describe a local example of aquatic monitoring, and describe how this research contributes to watershed management)

E.STS-K.4.d provide examples of problems that cannot be solved using scientific and technological knowledge alone (e.g., the need to prevent pollutants from entering aquatic environments, the need to avoid damage from ice sheets and icebergs)

E.S Skill Outcomes

E.S.1 Initiating and Planning: Ask questions about the relationships between and among observable variables, and plan investigations to address those questions

E.S.1.a identify science-related issues and problems

E.S.1.b identify questions to investigate, arising from science-related issues

E.S.1.c select appropriate methods and tools for collecting relevant data and information (e.g., plan and conduct a search, using a wide variety of electronic sources)

E.S.1.d design an experiment, and identify the major variables (e.g., design an experiment to compare the characteristics of two water samples)

E.S.2 Performing and Recording: Conduct investigations into the relationships between and among observations, and gather and record qualitative and quantitative data

E.S.2.a research information relevant to a given issue

E.S.2.b select and integrate information from various print and electronic sources or from several parts of the same source (e.g., summarize information on a river basin)

E.S.2.c identify strengths and weaknesses of different methods of collecting and displaying data (e.g., identify strengths and weaknesses of technologies used to monitor and map changes in stream flow)

E.S.3 Analyzing and Interpreting: Analyze qualitative and quantitative data, and develop and assess possible explanations

E.S.3.a apply given criteria for evaluating evidence and sources of information (e.g., assess the authenticity and reliability of electronic sources)

E.S.3.b predict the value of a variable, by interpolating or extrapolating from graphical data (e.g., predict future stocks of fish based on long-term data)

E.S.3.c interpret patterns and trends in data, and infer and explain relationships among the variables (e.g., relate climates to proximity to oceans and to the characteristics of ocean currents)

E.S.3.d identify new questions and problems arising from what was learned (e.g., identify questions, such as: "Can ocean currents be modified?", "Is kelp a viable source of food?", "How would icecap melting change Canadian coastlines?")

E.S.4 Communication and Teamwork: Work collaboratively on problems; and use appropriate language and formats to communicate ideas, procedures and results

E.S.4.a use appropriate vocabulary, including correct science and technology terminology, to communicate ideas, procedures and results (e.g., use such terms as salinity, currents and basins when describing oceans and their characteristics)

E.S.4.c evaluate individual and group processes used in planning, problem solving, decision making and completing a task (e.g., discuss advantages and disadvantages of different research methods and sources used to gather information on an ocean basin)

E.S.4.d defend a given position on an issue, based on their findings