Biology II Ecology · Scientific and Engineering Practices
Virginia SOL EC.1
Virginia SOL EC.1 is part of the Scientific and Engineering Practices strand in Biology II Ecology (Science). Under this Standards of Learning objective, students demonstrate understanding of scientific and engineering practices through investigation, data analysis, modeling, and communication. Below is what EC.1 covers in plain language, the specific skills it is assessed on, the key concepts to review, and how to practice EC.1 for the Virginia SOL test.
What SOL EC.1 means
Demonstrate understanding of scientific and engineering practices through investigation, data analysis, modeling, and communication.
Skills you’ll practice for EC.1
- Ask questions that arise from careful observation of phenomena, organisms, models, theories, or unexpected results to seek additional information.
- Determine which questions can be investigated within the scope of a school laboratory or field study.
- Formulate hypotheses specifying the effect of manipulating an independent variable on a dependent variable.
- Generate hypotheses based on research and scientific principles.
- Plan and conduct observational and experimental investigations, identifying variables, constants, and controls.
- Plan and conduct investigations in a safe and ethical manner, considering environmental, social, and personal effects.
- Determine appropriate sample size and techniques for investigations.
- Select and use appropriate tools and technology to collect and record data.
- Construct and interpret data tables showing independent and dependent variables, repeated trials, and means.
- Construct, analyze, and interpret graphical displays of data, considering limitations of data analysis.
- Use data to build and revise models, support explanations for phenomena, or test solutions to problems.
- Apply mathematical concepts and processes in scientific investigations.
- Analyze data using tools, technologies, and/or models to make valid and reliable scientific claims.
- Construct and revise explanations based on valid and reliable evidence from models, theories, simulations, peer review, or investigations.
- Make quantitative and/or qualitative claims based on data.
- Apply scientific ideas, principles, and/or evidence to provide explanations of phenomena.
- Compare and evaluate competing arguments in light of currently accepted explanations and new scientific evidence.
- Make and support a claim using empirical evidence and scientific reasoning.
- Evaluate a claim by applying scientific reasoning, theory, and/or models to link evidence to assess the extent to which the reasoning and data support the explanation or conclusion.
- Evaluate the merits and limitations of models.
- Develop, revise, and/or use models based on evidence to illustrate or predict relationships, support explanations, predict phenomena, analyze systems, or solve problems.
- Apply mathematical and statistical concepts and processes in building and revising models, and supporting explanations of phenomena.
- Compare, integrate, and evaluate sources of information presented in different media or formats to address a scientific question or solve a problem.
- Gather, read, and evaluate scientific and/or technical information from multiple authoritative sources, assessing the evidence and credibility of each source.
- Communicate scientific and/or technical information about phenomena in multiple formats.
Key concepts covered by EC.1
- question formulation
- observation-based inquiry
- phenomena analysis
- model evaluation
- investigable questions
- laboratory scope
- field study feasibility
- hypothesis formation
- independent variable
- dependent variable
- cause-effect prediction
- hypothesis generation
- scientific principles
- research-based reasoning
- investigation design
- variable identification
- control setup
- experimental planning
- safe investigation
- ethical considerations
- environmental impact
- social responsibility
- sample size determination
- sampling techniques
- data collection methodology
- data collection tools
- technology integration
- measurement instruments
- data recording
- data table construction
- variable representation
- repeated trials
- mean calculation
- graphical data representation
- data interpretation
- data limitations
- trend analysis
- model construction
- data-driven modeling
- phenomena explanation
- problem-solving
- mathematical application
- quantitative analysis
- statistical methods
- data modeling
- data analysis
- scientific claims
- validity assessment
- reliability evaluation
- explanation construction
- evidence-based reasoning
- peer review
- theory application
- quantitative claims
- qualitative analysis
- evidence-based conclusions
- scientific explanation
- principle application
- evidence integration
- argument evaluation
- competing explanations
- scientific evidence
- theory comparison
- claim formulation
- empirical evidence
- scientific reasoning
- argument support
- claim evaluation
- evidence linkage
- model limitations
- model validity
- predictive accuracy
- model development
- evidence-based modeling
- system analysis
- phenomena prediction
- mathematical modeling
- statistical analysis
- model revision
- source evaluation
- information integration
- media literacy
- scientific problem-solving
- source credibility
- scientific literature review
- evidence assessment
- authoritative sources
- scientific communication
- technical reporting
- multi-format presentation
How to study and practice SOL EC.1
Start with a quick diagnostic to see whether EC.1 is already solid, then work each skill above with guided notes, flashcards, and SOL-style practice questions. For official released items, see our Virginia SOL practice tests guide and how to study for the SOL test.
Frequently asked questions about SOL EC.1
What is Virginia SOL EC.1?
SOL EC.1 is a Biology II Ecology Standard of Learning in the Scientific and Engineering Practices strand. It expects students to demonstrate understanding of scientific and engineering practices through investigation, data analysis, modeling, and communication.
What skills does SOL EC.1 cover?
SOL EC.1 is assessed on 25 skills: ask questions that arise from careful observation of phenomena, organisms, models, theories, or unexpected results to seek additional information; determine which questions can be investigated within the scope of a school laboratory or field study; formulate hypotheses specifying the effect of manipulating an independent variable on a dependent variable; generate hypotheses based on research and scientific principles; plan and conduct observational and experimental investigations, identifying variables, constants, and controls; plan and conduct investigations in a safe and ethical manner, considering environmental, social, and personal effects; determine appropriate sample size and techniques for investigations; select and use appropriate tools and technology to collect and record data; construct and interpret data tables showing independent and dependent variables, repeated trials, and means; construct, analyze, and interpret graphical displays of data, considering limitations of data analysis; use data to build and revise models, support explanations for phenomena, or test solutions to problems; apply mathematical concepts and processes in scientific investigations; analyze data using tools, technologies, and/or models to make valid and reliable scientific claims; construct and revise explanations based on valid and reliable evidence from models, theories, simulations, peer review, or investigations; make quantitative and/or qualitative claims based on data; apply scientific ideas, principles, and/or evidence to provide explanations of phenomena; compare and evaluate competing arguments in light of currently accepted explanations and new scientific evidence; make and support a claim using empirical evidence and scientific reasoning; evaluate a claim by applying scientific reasoning, theory, and/or models to link evidence to assess the extent to which the reasoning and data support the explanation or conclusion; evaluate the merits and limitations of models; develop, revise, and/or use models based on evidence to illustrate or predict relationships, support explanations, predict phenomena, analyze systems, or solve problems; apply mathematical and statistical concepts and processes in building and revising models, and supporting explanations of phenomena; compare, integrate, and evaluate sources of information presented in different media or formats to address a scientific question or solve a problem; gather, read, and evaluate scientific and/or technical information from multiple authoritative sources, assessing the evidence and credibility of each source; communicate scientific and/or technical information about phenomena in multiple formats.
What strand of Biology II Ecology is SOL EC.1 in?
SOL EC.1 belongs to the Scientific and Engineering Practices reporting strand of the Biology II Ecology Virginia Standards of Learning.
How do I study and practice for SOL EC.1?
Start with a diagnostic to see whether EC.1 is already solid, then work the 25 skills above with guided notes, flashcards, and SOL-style practice questions. For official released items, see the Virginia SOL practice tests guide.