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Scientific Processes
(Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills)
Internet Resources
(1) The student conducts field and laboratory investigations using safe, environmentally appropriate, and ethical practices.
(A) demonstrate safe practices during field and laboratory investigations
(B) make wise choices in the use and conservation of resources and the disposal or recycling of materials
(2) The student uses scientific inquiry methods during field and laboratory investigations.
(A) plan and implement investigative procedures including asking questions, formulating testable hypotheses, and selecting and using equipment and technology
Collecting and Analyzing Safety Data - a 75 minute lab with an excellent table on page 22 listing the five leading causes of death, broken down by age range
Forces in Action - change track gradient and truck load as you collect data and come to a conclusion
Formatting Hypotheses - information to help your students get a handle on this process skill
How We See Things - Think through the assignment given, using a variety of mirrors to complete the task.
Test Your Hypothesis - Read Jenna's Diary in this exceprt from the science fair toolkit to see an example of designing an experiment with a testable hypothesis.
Towel Testing - the purpose of this lab is to practice the skills used to design experiments
Changing Circuits - test a variety of materials to determine which best completes the circuit
Create a New Hawaiian Island - read the page then click on the link at the bottom of the page to experiment with these local effects on climate by creating a new Hawaiian island!
Leap Frog - [this link opens on a new page] Students design an experiment to answer a question, collect information, and interpret the results using charts. (Author - Michaél Dunnivant)
Reversable and Irreversable Changes - experiment with a variety of substances and conditions to determine which changes can or can not be reversed, and then take a quiz
(C) organize, analyze, evaluate, make inferences, and predict trends from direct and indirect evidence
Boil Water with Shockwave - Run an experiment, changing the water amount, the starting water temperature, and the heating power. Enter how long you think it will take to boil the water. The accuracy of your guess, as a percentage of the actual time, will be displayed.
(D) communicate valid conclusions
(E) construct graphs, tables, maps, and charts using tools including computers to organize, examine, and evaluate data
Bar Graph - Enter data to create a bar graph, then manipulate the graph's maximum and minimum values
Circle Graph - Enter data categories and the value of each category to create a circle graph (similar to "Pie Chart" but the user can define the data set)
Create-a-Graph - lessons and activities on a variety of graphs
Data Picking - students collect data, enter tally marks or numbers and then select which graph is appropriate
(3) The student uses critical thinking and scientific problem solving to make informed decisions.
(A) analyze, review, and critique scientific explanations, including hypotheses and theories, as to their strengths and weaknesses using scientific evidence and information
Collecting and Analyzing Safety Data - a 75 minute lab with an excellent table on page 22 listing the five leading causes of death, broken down by age range
Forces in Action - change track gradient and truck load as you collect data and come to a conclusion
Formatting Hypotheses - information to help your students get a handle on this process skill
How We See Things - Think through the assignment given, using a variety of mirrors to complete the task.
Test Your Hypothesis - Read Jenna's Diary in this exceprt from the science fair toolkit to see an example of designing an experiment with a testable hypothesis.
Towel Testing - the purpose of this lab is to practice the skills used to design experiments
(B) draw inferences based on data related to promotional materials for products and services
(C) represent the natural world using models and identify their limitations
(D) evaluate the impact of research on scientific thought, society, and the environment
(E) connect Grade 8 science concepts with the history of science and contributions of scientists
(4) The student knows how to use a variety of tools and methods to conduct science inquiry.
(A) collect, record, and analyze information using tools including beakers, petri dishes, meter sticks, graduated cylinders, weather instruments, hot plates, dissecting equipment, test tubes, safety goggles, spring scales, balances, microscopes, telescopes, thermometers, calculators, field equipment, computers, computer probes, water test kits, and timing devices
Bird Sleuth: Investigating Evidence - this module consists of five investigations which give students the chance to learn science by doing science
Teaching Measures - links to length, mass, or capacity activities and printables - good for using on asn interactive whiteboard for a whole class activity
Transparency Master - use this high quality picture of a block of metal on a triple beam balance as a review for your students
Using a Graduated Cylinder - [L and mL] a whole class activity for reading a scale, estimating and converting between units
Using a Graduated Cylinder - [mL only] a whole class activity for reading a scale, estimating and converting between units
Using a Platform Scale - practice using scales like the one in a doctor's office, five Gregs will drop on the scale, waiting to be weighed, see how quickly you can weigh them
Using a Ruler - [15 cm ruler] a whole class activity for reading a ruler, estimating and converting between units
Using a Ruler - [30 cm ruler] a whole class activity for reading a ruler, estimating and converting between units
(B) extrapolate from collected information to make predictions
(5) The student knows that relationships exist between science and technology.
(A) identify a design problem and propose a solution
(B) design and test a model to solve the problem
(C) evaluate the model and make recommendations for improving the model
(B) identify feedback mechanisms that maintain equilibrium of systems such as body temperature, turgor pressure, and chemical reactions
(C) describe interactions within ecosystems
Animal Adaptations - lesson plan designed to expand students’ knowledge of animal features and behaviors that can help or hinder their survival in a particular habitat
(7) The student knows that there is a relationship between force and motion.
(A) demonstrate how unbalanced forces cause changes in the speed or direction of an object's motion
The Galileo Games - In this PBS feature, you'll get a sampling of Galileo's thought experiments and conduct virtual versions of his experiments, including those using an inclined plane and a pendulum.
Mass, Force and Acceleration - Watch as you fill out the chart to see how mass, force, and acceleration are related. When you are done, see if you can write a rule.
Newton's Second Law Experiment - During movement a red point in the t-s-diagram (time - displacement) indicates the present time and the covered distance. This Java applet allows students to collect data for graphing.
Recognizing Forces - The purpose of this activity is to practice an understanding of the various types of forces
(B) recognize that waves are generated and can travel through different media
The Anatomy of a Wave - from the chapter on Properties of Waves at the Physics Classroom
Electromagnetic Spectrum - In this applet, you can click on the wavelength/frequency scale and change the wavelength and frequency by dragging the mouse or by using the arrow keys on the keyboard. Holding the shift key down while pressing the left or right arrow keys changes the wavelength by a factor of 10.
Parts of a Wave - the wave and its parts are discussed here, including a nice java applet which allows your students to change wave frequency
Basic Electromagnetic Wave Properties - this java applet lets students change wavelength, frequency or amplitude of electromagnetic waves, thus changing the color of the radiation.
Wave Addition - Experiment with how different wavelengths combine to produce a resultant wave.
(8) The student knows that matter is composed of atoms.
(A) describe the structure and parts of an atom
Fun Facts About Atoms - four slides from Jefferson Labs showing size and scale of atoms
It's Elemental - Element Math Game - answer the question that the computer asks about the number of protons, neutrons, electrons or nucleons (particles in the nucleus) that an atom of that element contains. Press the 'Check my answer' button after you have entered your answer.
Protons, Electrons and Neutrons - This page is an exercise in relating the number of protons, electrons and neutrons for an atom or monoatomic ion
(B) identify the properties of an atom including mass and electrical charge
(9) The student knows that substances have chemical and physical properties.
(A) demonstrate that substances may react chemically to form new substances
(B) interpret information on the periodic table to understand that physical properties are used to group elements
1001 Periodic Table Quiz Questions - Over 1300 free science and chemistry questions per age and topic for school, college and university students
The Catalyst has an extensive list of periodic table links
ChemicalElements.com has a nice table with Internet links to sites about the elements.
Dmitri Ivanovich Mendeleev - We will never be able to attribute to a single individual the development of the basic building blocks of writing. Yet we do know the name of the man who devised the method of classifying the basic building blocks of matter. Dmitri Ivanovich Mendeleev!
Periodic Table - This common chemistry tool is presented as a PowerPoint show with web links to pages about each element. Invisible buttons are used on slide 2. (There are 109 invisible buttons on one slide.) Download the show and take a look!
Chembalancer is a little online game to teach balancing equations. You type numbers in front of each molecule until there are the same number of atoms on both sides of the equation, then click the 'Balanced' button.
A Chemical Equation Balancing Mystery - (originally designed for grades 10 - 12) A monkey has been killed and you must use your chemical equation balancing skills to solve the mystery.
(D) identify that physical and chemical properties influence the development and application of everyday materials such as cooking surfaces, insulation, adhesives, and plastics
Cloud Matching Game - Drag the photos of clouds on left to the correct name for that cloud on the right. Wrong matches will snap back! Right matches will stick!
Clouds and Precipitation - The purpose of this module is to introduce a number of cloud classifications, different types of precipitation, and the mechanisms responsible for producing them
Cloud Types – this page provides information about each cloud group and any cloud classes associated with them
Radar Loop of the last 2 hours covering the contiguous United States. This Doppler radar site indicates clouds, rain and snow with different colors, and refreshes 4 times per hour.
Weather Associated with Cloud Types - Caution! The background of this page is horrible. The easiest way to make the page easier to read is to select all text. Hold down the Ctrl key (or the Apple key) and tap the A key one time.
Wetter or Better? - this twelve-slide show presents cloud types and asks students to make a forecast
(C) identify and demonstrate that loss or gain of heat energy occurs during exothermic and endothermic chemical reactions
Solids, Liquids & Gases - Cartoon animations are used to introduce each topic and may be used to revise previous topics before progressing to a new aspect of the subject. Practical activities to support pupil learning are presented as downloadable worksheets, with notes for teachers or as ideas for experiments and investigations.
States of Matter - from Chem4Kids - links on the left relate to each of the physical states
(11) The student knows that traits of species can change through generations and that the instructions for traits are contained in the genetic material of the organisms.
(A) identify that change in environmental conditions can affect the survival of individuals and of species
Conservation Genetics - The science of Conservation Biology studies individuals and populations that have been affected by habitat loss, exploitation, and/or environmental change.
(B) distinguish between inherited traits and other characteristics that result from interactions with the environment
(C) make predictions about possible outcomes of various genetic combinations of inherited characteristics
Click and Clone - your mission is to create a genetically identical clone of Mimi, a brown mouse
The Gene School - This is the place to study the science of genetics. Learn about the foundation of genetics starting with Robert Hooks' discovery of cells in 1655.
Is it Cloning? Or Not? - Although cloning is one type of technology used in reproduction, not all reproductive technologies involve cloning. To play the game, decide for yourself whether the scenario described involves cloning.
Welcome to the Extraterrestrial Gene Therapy Lab - As Space Doctor, you’ll use your gene therapy knowledge to treat three ailing aliens who come into your clinic. Before starting, you might want to review Tools of the Trade and the Gene Therapy Case Studies found in other sections of this module.
(12) The student knows that cycles exist in Earth systems.
(A) analyze and predict the sequence of events in the lunar and rock cycles
The King of Tides - a WebQuest which asks students to collect data and support a conclusion regarding the moon's role in creating tides.
A lesson on tides with a good diagram of spring tides and neap tides from the Department of Physics & Astronomy at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville
Moon Phases Java Applet - Select "both" for the point of view and run the simulation to see the cause of moon phases. Stop the animation and use their chart to see the name of the moon phase.
Our Restless Tides: a brief explanation of the astronomical factors which produce tides from NOAA's Oceanographic Products and Services Division
Phases of the Moon - a very good diagram and a listing of the phases in order.
Moon Phase Calendar - shows the moon phases for each day of the current month.
Moon Phases - Excel workbook to use with interactive whiteboard or projection - let students drag phases to the correct position
Worksheet to use with Moon Phases - One sheet gives students places to draw and name the phase, the other worksheet asks students to identify positions of the moon and earth in relation to the sun for each of the eight phases
Interactive Rock Cycle Animation - a cutaway view of Earth showing where some common rock-forming processes occur. Embedded animations will illustrate the path of a rock moving through the rock cycle.
Endangered Species - Click on a state for lists of endangered species in that state
The Extinction Files - mass extinction events have occurred in the Earth's history
Global 200 - some of the richest, rarest, and most endangered terrestrial, marine and freshwater natural areas of the world (a National Geographic site)
(C) describe how human activities have modified soil, water, and air quality
Virtual Field Trips - In this investigation, you'll take virtual field trips to several protected places. Explore the Web site of each place to discover the unique features that make it worth protecting.
a site for teachers | 
a PowerPoint show | 
Adobe Acrobat document | 
a Word document
sound | 
video format | 
interactive lesson | 
a quiz | 
to print
