NY Middle School 6-8 Science Learning Standards
The first administration of the new NYS middle school grade 8 science exam, which assesses students on the performance expectations below, is planned for this June 2024 (per the NYSED science implementation roadmap).
MS. Structure and Properties of Matter
MS-PS1-1 | Atomic Composition of Simple Molecules
Develop models to describe the atomic composition of simple molecules and extended structures.
Clarification statement: Emphasis is on developing models of molecules that vary in complexity. Examples of simple molecules could include ammonia and methanol. Examples of extended structures could include sodium chloride or diamonds. Examples of particulate-level models could include drawings, 3D ball and stick structures, or computer representations showing different substances with different types of atoms.
Assessment boundary: Assessment does not include valence electrons and bonding energy, discussing the individual ions composing complex structures, or a complete depiction of all individual atoms in a complex molecule or extended structure.
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MS-PS1-3 | Natural Resources
Gather and make sense of information to describe that synthetic materials come from natural
resources and impact society.
Clarification statement: Emphasis is on natural resources that undergo a chemical process to form the synthetic material. Examples of new materials could include new medicine, foods, and alternative fuels.
Assessment boundary: Assessment is limited to the qualitative interpretation of evidence provided.
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MS-PS1-4 | Thermal energy and phase changes
Develop a model that predicts and describes changes in particle motion, temperature, and phase (state)
of a substance when thermal energy is added or removed.
Clarification statement: Emphasis is on qualitative particulate- level models of solids, liquids, and gases to show that adding or removing thermal energy increases or decreases kinetic energy of the particles until a change of phase occurs. Examples of models could include drawings and diagrams. Examples of particles could include ions, molecules, or atoms. Examples of substances could include sodium chloride, water, carbon dioxide, and helium.
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MS-PS1-7 | Density
Use evidence to illustrate that density is a property that can be used to identify samples of matter.
Clarification statement: Emphasis should be on students measuring the masses and volumes of regular and irregular shaped objects, calculating their densities, and identifying the samples of matter.
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MS-PS1-8 | Natural Resources
Plan and conduct an investigation to demonstrate that mixtures are combinations of substances.
Clarification statement: Emphasis should be on analyzing the physical changes that occur as mixtures are formed and/or separated. Examples of common mixtures could include salt water, oil and vinegar, and air.
Assessment boundary: Assessment is limited to separation by evaporation, filtration and magnetism.
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