Earth Science I · Scientific and Engineering Practices
Virginia SOL ES.1
Virginia SOL ES.1 is part of the Scientific and Engineering Practices strand in Earth Science I (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 ES.1 covers in plain language, the specific skills it is assessed on, the key concepts to review, and how to practice ES.1 for the Virginia SOL test.
What SOL ES.1 means
Demonstrate understanding of scientific and engineering practices through investigation, data analysis, modeling, and communication.
Practice Earth Science I SOL questions
Free Earth Science I questions from official Virginia Department of Education released SOL tests — good practice while you work on ES.1 and the rest of the course. Pick an answer to check it instantly, or open “Show answer” to review.
1. Which of these can determine the size of grains in igneous rocks?
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Answer: D — Cooling rate of molten rock
2. Which of these can be used to measure atmospheric pressure?
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Answer: B — A barometer
3. Which element in Earth’s atmosphere is essential for human life and is extremely rare or nonexistent in the atmospheres of other planets in our solar system?
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Answer: D — Oxygen
4. When Earth is at its greatest distance from the Sun, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun. What season takes place in the Southern Hemisphere at this time?
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Answer: D — Winter
Skills you’ll practice for ES.1
- Ask questions that arise from careful observation of phenomena, examination of a model or theory, or unexpected results.
- Determine which questions can be investigated within the scope of the school laboratory or field experience.
- Generate hypotheses based on research and scientific principles.
- Specify what happens to a dependent variable when an independent variable is manipulated in a hypothesis.
- Define design problems that involve the development of a process or system with multiple components and criteria.
- Individually and collaboratively plan and conduct observational and experimental investigations.
- Plan and conduct investigations to test design solutions in a safe and ethical manner, considering environmental, social, and personal effects.
- Select and use appropriate tools and technology to collect, record, analyze, and evaluate 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.
- Apply mathematical concepts and processes to scientific questions.
- Use data in building and revising models, supporting explanations of phenomena, or testing solutions to problems.
- Analyze data using tools, technologies, and/or models to make valid and reliable scientific claims or determine an optimal design solution.
- Make quantitative and/or qualitative claims based on data.
- Construct and revise explanations based on valid and reliable evidence from investigations, models, theories, simulations, and peer review.
- Apply scientific ideas, principles, and/or evidence to provide an explanation of phenomena or design solutions.
- Construct arguments or counterarguments based on data and evidence.
- Differentiate between a scientific hypothesis, theory, and law.
- Evaluate the merits and limitations of models.
- Develop, revise, and/or use models based on evidence to illustrate or predict relationships.
- Construct and interpret scales, diagrams, classification charts, graphs, tables, imagery, models, including geologic cross sections and topographic profiles.
- Read and interpret topographic and basic geologic maps and globes, including location by latitude and longitude.
- 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 sources, assessing the evidence and credibility of each source.
- Communicate scientific and/or technical information about phenomena and/or a design process in multiple formats.
Key concepts covered by ES.1
- observation
- phenomena
- model
- theory
- scientific questions
- investigable questions
- laboratory constraints
- field experience
- hypothesis generation
- scientific principles
- research-based hypotheses
- hypothesis formulation
- independent variable
- dependent variable
- cause-effect relationship
- design problems
- system design
- multiple criteria
- engineering design
- investigation planning
- collaborative research
- observational study
- experimental design
- ethical investigation
- safety protocols
- environmental impact
- design testing
- data collection
- scientific tools
- technology integration
- data analysis
- data tables
- repeated trials
- mean calculation
- graphical displays
- data interpretation
- data limitations
- trend analysis
- mathematical modeling
- scientific calculations
- quantitative analysis
- model building
- data-driven models
- phenomena explanation
- problem-solving
- scientific claims
- design optimization
- reliability assessment
- quantitative claims
- qualitative claims
- explanation construction
- evidence-based reasoning
- peer review
- scientific theories
- scientific application
- design solutions
- principle application
- scientific argumentation
- data-driven reasoning
- counterarguments
- scientific hypothesis
- scientific theory
- scientific law
- conceptual distinctions
- model evaluation
- model limitations
- scientific models
- model development
- evidence-based models
- relationship prediction
- scale interpretation
- geologic cross sections
- topographic profiles
- data visualization
- topographic maps
- geologic maps
- latitude-longitude
- map interpretation
- source evaluation
- information integration
- media literacy
- scientific inquiry
- source credibility
- scientific literature
- technical information
- evidence assessment
- scientific communication
- technical reporting
- multimedia presentation
How to study and practice SOL ES.1
Start with a quick diagnostic to see whether ES.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 ES.1
What is Virginia SOL ES.1?
SOL ES.1 is a Earth Science I 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 ES.1 cover?
SOL ES.1 is assessed on 25 skills: ask questions that arise from careful observation of phenomena, examination of a model or theory, or unexpected results; determine which questions can be investigated within the scope of the school laboratory or field experience; generate hypotheses based on research and scientific principles; specify what happens to a dependent variable when an independent variable is manipulated in a hypothesis; define design problems that involve the development of a process or system with multiple components and criteria; individually and collaboratively plan and conduct observational and experimental investigations; plan and conduct investigations to test design solutions in a safe and ethical manner, considering environmental, social, and personal effects; select and use appropriate tools and technology to collect, record, analyze, and evaluate 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; apply mathematical concepts and processes to scientific questions; use data in building and revising models, supporting explanations of phenomena, or testing solutions to problems; analyze data using tools, technologies, and/or models to make valid and reliable scientific claims or determine an optimal design solution; make quantitative and/or qualitative claims based on data; construct and revise explanations based on valid and reliable evidence from investigations, models, theories, simulations, and peer review; apply scientific ideas, principles, and/or evidence to provide an explanation of phenomena or design solutions; construct arguments or counterarguments based on data and evidence; differentiate between a scientific hypothesis, theory, and law; evaluate the merits and limitations of models; develop, revise, and/or use models based on evidence to illustrate or predict relationships; construct and interpret scales, diagrams, classification charts, graphs, tables, imagery, models, including geologic cross sections and topographic profiles; read and interpret topographic and basic geologic maps and globes, including location by latitude and longitude; 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 sources, assessing the evidence and credibility of each source; communicate scientific and/or technical information about phenomena and/or a design process in multiple formats.
What strand of Earth Science I is SOL ES.1 in?
SOL ES.1 belongs to the Scientific and Engineering Practices reporting strand of the Earth Science I Virginia Standards of Learning.
How do I study and practice for SOL ES.1?
Start with a diagnostic to see whether ES.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.