Texas TEKS 8.2

8.2 is a TEKS knowledge and skills statement. These are the student expectations under it.

• 8.2.A

  identify advantages and limitations of models such as their size, scale, properties, and materials

• 8.2.B

  analyze data by identifying any significant descriptive statistical features, patterns, sources of error, or limitations

• 8.2.C

  use mathematical calculations to assess quantitative relationships in data

• 8.2.D

  evaluate experimental and engineering designs

01

What Students Need to Do

Students inspect models and explain what each represents well and what its size, scale, properties, or materials distort. They analyze tables and graphs for center, spread, outliers, trends, correlations, error sources, and limits, then use calculations to support a claim. They compare experiments or engineering designs and judge whether the evidence supports the method or solution.

02

What Mastery Looks Like

Given a data set, students calculate values such as mean, range, rate, and percent change, then identify meaningful patterns or outliers. They distinguish correlation from proof of cause and name likely measurement or sampling errors. They use specific evidence to defend which model, experiment, or design works better and explain its limits.

03

Common Misconceptions

Students may treat a model as an exact copy or assume a larger, more detailed model is always better. They may ignore outliers, confuse variation with mistakes, or claim that correlation proves cause. They may also choose a design from one successful trial without checking repeated data, controls, or tradeoffs.

04

How to Assess It

Exit ticket: Filter A removed 72%, 75%, and 74% of sediment; Filter B removed 90%, 42%, and 88%. Calculate each mean and range, choose the better design, and name one likely error or limitation.

1. 01

   Build two watershed models from foil and clay, then compare how material and scale limit what each model can show.

2. 02

   Show a graph of ice cream sales and sunburn cases, then ask students to explain why correlation does not prove causation.

3. 03

   Run a Data Detective card sort where teams match small data sets to trend, outlier, measurement error, or no relationship.

4. 04

   Test two lunchbox insulation designs with thermometers, then use temperature change and material cost to recommend one for the cafeteria.

• 1.2

  Scientific and engineering practices. The student analyzes and interprets data to derive meaning, identify features and patterns, and discover relationships or ...

• 2.2

  Scientific and engineering practices. The student analyzes and interprets data to derive meaning, identify features and patterns, and discover relationships or ...

• 4.2

  Scientific and engineering practices. The student analyzes and interprets data to derive meaning, identify features and patterns, and discover relationships or ...

• 5.2

  Scientific and engineering practices. The student analyzes and interprets data to derive meaning, identify features and patterns, and discover relationships or ...