6th-8thGradeMTAS

2009 MN Science Strands, Sub-Strands & Standards

STRAND / SUBSTRAND / STANDARD
6.1
The Nature of Science & Engineering / 6.1.2
The Practice of Engineering / 6.1.2.1
Engineers create, develop & manufacture machines, structures, processes & systems that impact society & may make humans more productive.
6.2/8.2
Physical Science / 6.2.1/8.2.1
Matter / 6.2.1.2
Substances can undergo physical changes which do not change the composition or the total mass of the substance in a closed system.
8.2.1.2
Substances can undergo physical &/or chemical changes which may change the properties of the substance but do not change the total mass in a closed system.
6.2.2
Motion / 6.2.2.2
Forces have magnitude & direction & govern the motion of objects.
8.3
Earth & Space Science / 8.3.1
Earth Structure & Processes / 8.3.1.2
Landforms are the result of the combination of constructive & destructive processes.
7.4
Life Science / 7.4.1
Structure & Function in Living Systems / 7.4.1.1
Tissues, organs & organ systems are composed of cells & function to serve the needs of all cells for food, air & waste removal.
7.4.4
Human Interactions with Living Systems / 7.4.4.2
Human beings are constantly interacting with other organisms that cause disease.

6th-8thGrade—The Nature of Science & Engineering Strand

2009 MN Science Sub-Strand & Standard to Extended Benchmarks with MTAS Test Specs

(1-2 tasks)

SUBSTRAND / STANDARD / BENCHMARK
6.1.2
The Practice of Engineering
(1-2 tasks—6thgrade) / 6.1.2.1
Engineers create, develop & manufacture machines, structures, processes & systems that impact society & may make humans more productive.
(1-2 tasks—6thgrade) / 6.1.2.1.1
Identify common engineered systems & evaluate their impact on the daily life of humans.
  • Tasks are limited to engineered machines, structures, processes, & systems that are equally accessible to middle school students in all socioeconomic groups.
  • Tasks are limited to engineered machines, structures, processes, & systems that are highly familiar in the daily life of students eligible for the MTAS.

6th-8thGrade—Physical Science Strand

2009 MN Science Sub-Strand & Standard to Extended Benchmarks with MTAS Test Specs

(2-4 tasks)

SUBSTRAND / STANDARD / BENCHMARK
6.2.1/8.2.1
Matter
(1-2 tasks—6th8th grade) / 6.2.1.2
Substances can undergo physical changes which do not change the composition or the total mass of the substance in a closed system.
8.2.1.2
Substances can undergo physical &/or chemical changes which may change the properties of the substance but do not change the total mass in a closed system.
(1-2 tasks—6th & 8th grade) / 8.2.1.2.2
Identify chemical or physical changes in matter.
  • Evidence for chemical reactions will be limited to changes commonly seen in daily life: a gas produced, heat released, a color change & formation of a solid.
  • Evidence for physical changes will be limited to changes in state (phase), shape, & dissolving (e.g., salt & water).
  • Items will NOT include chemical formulas or equations.
  • Items may not use the term chemical changes.

6.2.2
Motion
(1-2 tasks—6th grade) / 6.2.2.2
Forces have magnitude & direction & govern the motion of objects.
(1-2 tasks—6th grade) / 6.2.2.2.1
Recognize the effects of balanced or unbalanced forces on an object.
  • Forces are described as pushes or pulls.
  • Items are limited to unbalanced forces acting on an object, such as a bat hitting a ball or pushing a swing.
  • Items will address the concepts qualitatively. Items will NOT include the calculation of acceleration or net forces.
  • Examples are limited to common situations/objects (for example: games & objects with wheels).

6th-8thGrade—Earth & Space Science Strand

2009 MN Science Sub-Strand & Standard to Extended Benchmarks with MTAS Test Specs

(1-2 tasks)

SUBSTRAND / STANDARD / BENCHMARK
8.3.1
Earth Structure & Processes
(1-2 tasks—8thgrade) / 8.3.1.2
Landforms are the result of the combination of constructive & destructive processes.
(1-2 tasks—8thgrade) / 8.3.1.2.1
Identify the effects of weathering, erosion & deposition of sediment on landforms.
  • Tasks may address physical weathering.
  • Tasks will address only one process at a time.

6th-8thGrade—Life Science Strand

2009 MN Science Sub-Strand & Standard to Extended Benchmarks with MTAS Test Specs

(2-4 tasks)

SUBSTRAND / STANDARD / BENCHMARK
7.4.1
Structure & Function in Living Systems
(1-2 tasks—7thgrade) / 7.4.1.1
Tissues, organs & organ systems are composed of cells & function to serve the needs of all cells for food, air & waste removal.
(1-2 tasks—7thgrade) / 7.4.1.1.2
Identify how organs in the respiratory, circulatory & digestive systems function in the human body.
  • Tasks will NOT require students to identify the structure & function of systems.

7.4.4
Human Interactions with Living Systems
(1-2 tasks—7thgrade) / 7.4.4.2
Human beings are constantly interacting with other organisms that cause disease.
(1-2 tasks—7thgrade) / 7.4.4.2.1
Recognize that disease of the human body can be caused by other organisms.
  • Items that refer to a biological agent will provide relevant background information.
  • Items will not address uncommon or specific diseases by name.
  • Examples may include exposure to organisms through unsanitary objects.

Christy Hemp, SW/WC Service Cooperative, Marshall—November 2010