Biology II Genetics · Scientific and Engineering Practices
Virginia SOL GEN.1
Virginia SOL GEN.1 is part of the Scientific and Engineering Practices strand in Biology II Genetics (Science). Under this Standards of Learning objective, students demonstrate understanding of scientific and engineering practices through investigation and analysis. Below is what GEN.1 covers in plain language, the specific skills it is assessed on, the key concepts to review, and how to practice GEN.1 for the Virginia SOL test.
What SOL GEN.1 means
Demonstrate understanding of scientific and engineering practices through investigation and analysis.
Skills you’ll practice for GEN.1
- Ask questions that arise from careful observation of phenomena, models, theories, or to seek additional information.
- Determine which questions can be investigated within the scope of a school laboratory or field setting.
- Make 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; identify 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; consider 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, including statistics and probability, to scientific data.
- 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 an explanation 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 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 GEN.1
- question formulation
- observation
- phenomena
- models
- theories
- investigable questions
- laboratory scope
- field investigation
- hypothesis formation
- independent variable
- dependent variable
- manipulation
- hypothesis generation
- research
- scientific principles
- investigation planning
- variables
- constants
- controls
- observational study
- experimental study
- safety protocols
- ethical considerations
- environmental impact
- social impact
- personal safety
- sample size
- sampling techniques
- data collection
- data collection tools
- technology
- recording data
- measurement tools
- data tables
- repeated trials
- means
- graphical displays
- data analysis
- limitations
- trends
- patterns
- data modeling
- model revision
- phenomena explanation
- problem-solving
- mathematical concepts
- statistics
- probability
- scientific claims
- validity
- reliability
- tools
- explanation construction
- evidence-based reasoning
- peer review
- quantitative claims
- qualitative claims
- data interpretation
- scientific explanation
- principles
- evidence
- argument evaluation
- competing explanations
- scientific evidence
- claim formulation
- empirical evidence
- scientific reasoning
- support
- claim evaluation
- theory
- evidence linkage
- model evaluation
- merits
- scientific models
- model development
- evidence-based modeling
- phenomena prediction
- system analysis
- mathematical modeling
- statistical concepts
- source evaluation
- information integration
- media literacy
- scientific problem-solving
- source gathering
- scientific literature
- credibility assessment
- scientific communication
- technical communication
- multiple formats
How to study and practice SOL GEN.1
Start with a quick diagnostic to see whether GEN.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 GEN.1
What is Virginia SOL GEN.1?
SOL GEN.1 is a Biology II Genetics Standard of Learning in the Scientific and Engineering Practices strand. It expects students to demonstrate understanding of scientific and engineering practices through investigation and analysis.
What skills does SOL GEN.1 cover?
SOL GEN.1 is assessed on 25 skills: ask questions that arise from careful observation of phenomena, models, theories, or to seek additional information; determine which questions can be investigated within the scope of a school laboratory or field setting; make 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; identify 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; consider 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, including statistics and probability, to scientific data; 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 an explanation 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 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 Genetics is SOL GEN.1 in?
SOL GEN.1 belongs to the Scientific and Engineering Practices reporting strand of the Biology II Genetics Virginia Standards of Learning.
How do I study and practice for SOL GEN.1?
Start with a diagnostic to see whether GEN.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.