Standard #: SC.8.E.5.11


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Identify and compare characteristics of the electromagnetic spectrum such as wavelength, frequency, use, and hazards and recognize its application to an understanding of planetary images and satellite photographs.


General Information

Subject Area: Science
Grade: 8
Body of Knowledge: Earth and Space Science
Big Idea: Earth in Space and Time - The origin and eventual fate of the Universe still remains one of the greatest questions in science. Gravity and energy influence the formation of galaxies, including our own Milky Way Galaxy, stars, the planetary systems, and Earth. Humankind’s need to explore continues to lead to the development of knowledge and understanding of the nature of the Universe.
Date Adopted or Revised: 02/08
Content Complexity Rating: Level 3: Strategic Thinking & Complex Reasoning - More Information
Date of Last Rating: 05/08
Status: State Board Approved
Assessed: Yes

Related Courses

Course Number1111 Course Title222
2002100: M/J Comprehensive Science 3 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
2002110: M/J Comprehensive Science 3, Advanced (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
2001010: M/J Earth/Space Science (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
2001020: M/J Earth/Space Science, Advanced (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
7820017: Access M/J Comprehensive Science 3 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
2002085: M/J Comprehensive Science 2 Accelerated Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))
2001025: M/J STEM Astronomy and Space Science (Specifically in versions: 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2024, 2024 and beyond (current))


Related Access Points

Access Point Number Access Point Title
SC.8.E.5.Su.8 Recognize that scientists use special tools to examine objects in space.
SC.8.E.5.Pa.4 Recognize a technology tool created for space exploration and adapted for personal use, such as computers, telescopes, or satellites.
SC.8.E.5.In.12 Recognize that technology allows special cameras and satellites to take pictures of objects in space.


Related Resources

Lesson Plans

Name Description
It's Not All Visible

The student will investigate and construct explanations regarding the uses and applications of the electromagnetic spectrum. Students will investigate the various types of electromagnetic radiation with the use of a graphic organizer and create a foldable to represent the EM spectrum, including the types, uses, and applications.

Electromagnetic Spectrum Poster Project

In this lesson, students conduct a brief review on frequency and wavelengh.  Students are then assigned a specific region of the Eectromagnetic Spectrum to research in small groups.  Posters representing their assigned region are created following specific guidelines.  Posters will include frequency, wavelength, energy level and appplications of their assigned radiation.  Students will then display their posters during a class gallery walk with guiding questions.  This allows students to compare the research they conducted with that of fellow classmates. 

Spectra and Stars

This lesson expands students’ understanding of how electromagnetic waves are used to reveal information from imagery taken in space by using c-spectra or spectroscopes, light sources, and colored gel filters.

Space Telescope: Optics and the EM Spectrum

In this MEA, students will:

  • identify and compare characteristics of the electromagnetic spectrum such as wavelength, frequency, and energy.
  • understand the benefits of studying astronomy using the electromagnetic spectrum and appreciate the amount of knowledge available through data and observations such as planetary images and satellite photographs.
  • assess the value of technology in science for such purposes as access to outer space and other remote locations, sample collection, measurement, data collection and storage, computation, and communication of information.
  • be able to describe the vast distances between objects in space using an understanding of light and how it travels.
  • be able to analyze scientific texts and support their findings with textual evidence.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.

Original Student Tutorial

Name Description
Characteristics of the Electromagnetic Spectrum

Examine the electromagnetic spectrum and characteristics associated with different portions of the spectrum in this interactive tutorial.

Professional Development

Name Description
Bright Lights: Integrating Visual & Textual Information

This tutorial is designed to help secondary science teachers learn how to incorporate literacy skills into their science curriculum. This tutorial will demonstrate a number of strategies teachers can impart to students to help them learn how to integrate visual information with textual information. The focus on literacy across content areas is intended to help foster students' reading, writing, and thinking skills in multiple disciplines.

Click "View Site" to open a full-screen version.

Text Resources

Name Description
Sun Sibling Spotted

This informational text resource is intended to support reading in the content area. Scientists may have found a star created from the same nebula that produced our sun. The spectrograph composition data, the motion of the star through the Milky Way, and its age all suggest that it is a "sibling" to our Sun.

Light and Telescopes

This informational text resource is intended to support reading in the content area. This article explains the types of light on the electromagnetic spectrum that our eyes cannot detect; to make them visible, scientists use telescopes to take amazing photographs. Computers turn the data into color that the human eye can see, so the colors are actually "false colors." The article includes additional links, including the Hubble Space Telescope website gallery of photographs.

NASA Electromagnetic Spectrum

This is a very interesting web site about the electromagnetic spectrum. It gives great background information and examples on the different types of waves.

Student Resources

Original Student Tutorial

Name Description
Characteristics of the Electromagnetic Spectrum:

Examine the electromagnetic spectrum and characteristics associated with different portions of the spectrum in this interactive tutorial.



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