SEEd - Grade 8
Educational Links

Strand 8.4: INTERACTIONS WITH NATURAL SYSTEMS AND RESOURCES

Interactions of matter and energy through geologic processes have led to the uneven distribution of natural resources. Many of these resources are nonrenewable, and per-capita use can cause positive or negative consequences. Global temperatures change due to various factors, and can cause a change in regional climates. As energy flows through the physical world, natural disasters can occur that affect human life. Humans can study patterns in natural systems to anticipate and forecast some future disasters and work to mitigate the outcomes.

• 8th Grade Science OER Textbook for Utah SEEd Standards
  The Utah Science Open Educational Resources (OER) textbook project was started to bring Utah teachers together to create a resource that aligns to Utah core science standards. The Utah Science OER textbooks are not intended to be curriculum as they do not include labs, assessments, or a teacher guide with answers. They are intended as a reference material for students with content to support teachers classroom instruction and help make sense of science concepts found in standards. This OER textbook is also available in other languages at https://www.uen.org/oer/index.shtml.
• Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network
  From the U.S. Department of Energy, you'll find good explanations of renewable energy sources, technologies that are contributing to energy efficiency, and much more.
• SEEd Storyline 8.4.1
  Storyline Big Ideas: Geological processes affect the uneven distribution of resources. Why are coal resources plentiful in central Utah but scarce in northern Utah?
• SEEd Storyline 8.4.2
  Storyline Big Ideas: Per capita consumption affects the availability of natural resources. How much water do I use (drinking, cooking, showering, irrigation) and is my usage responsible considering the availability of water in Utah?
• SEEd Storyline 8.4.2 - Breathe Utah
  Storyline Big Ideas: Per capita consumption affects the availability of natural resources. How much water do I use (drinking, cooking, showering, irrigation) and is my usage responsible considering the availability of water in Utah?
• SEEd Storyline 8.4.3
  Storyline Big Ideas: There are consequences for using natural resources. What natural resources do I use and what can I do to reduce the amount I use?
• SEEd Storyline 8.4.4
  Storyline Big Ideas: There are factors that affect regional climates and global temperatures. How have global temperatures changed in the last century and what might be responsible for those changes?
• SEEd Storyline 8.4.5
  Storyline Big Ideas: There are patterns in the occurrences of natural hazards and these patterns can be used to predict future catastrophic events. Why does Oklahoma get many strong tornadoes each year while Utah only gets a few small ones?
• Straw Bridges
  Working as engineering teams, students design and create model beam bridges using plastic drinking straws and tape as their construction materials. Their goal is to build the strongest bridge with a truss pattern of their own design, while meeting the design criteria and constraints.
• Weather: Utah Climate Center
  Site is maintained by Utah State University. It includes access to Utah Climate data and hourly weather data.

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http://www.uen.org - in partnership with Utah State Board of Education (USBE) and Utah System of Higher Education (USHE).  Send questions or comments to USBE Specialist - Milo  Maughan and see the Science - Secondary website. For general questions about Utah's Core Standards contact the Director - Jennifer  Throndsen.

These materials have been produced by and for the teachers of the State of Utah. Copies of these materials may be freely reproduced for teacher and classroom use. When distributing these materials, credit should be given to Utah State Board of Education. These materials may not be published, in whole or part, or in any other format, without the written permission of the Utah State Board of Education, 250 East 500 South, PO Box 144200, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-4200.