Earth Science II Advanced Survey · Scientific and Engineering Practices
Virginia SOL ESII.1
Virginia SOL ESII.1 is part of the Scientific and Engineering Practices strand in Earth Science II Advanced Survey (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 ESII.1 covers in plain language, the specific skills it is assessed on, the key concepts to review, and how to practice ESII.1 for the Virginia SOL test.
What SOL ESII.1 means
Demonstrate understanding of scientific and engineering practices through investigation, data analysis, modeling, and communication.
Skills you’ll practice for ESII.1
- Ask questions that arise from careful observation of phenomena, examination of a model or theory, or unexpected results to seek additional information.
- Determine which questions can be investigated within the scope of the school laboratory or field.
- Make hypotheses that specify what happens to a dependent variable when an independent variable is manipulated.
- Generate hypotheses based on research and scientific principles.
- Select and use appropriate tools and technology, including cartographic tools, GIS, and instruments 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 and 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 in scientific contexts.
- Analyze data using tools, technologies, and/or models to make valid and reliable scientific claims.
- Construct and/or interpret map scales, satellite imagery, diagrams, classification charts, graphs, tables, models, geologic cross-sections, and topographic profiles.
- Read and interpret topographic and basic geologic maps and globes using a variety of geospatial coordinate systems.
- Construct and revise explanations based on valid and reliable evidence from models, theories, simulations, peer review, and 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 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, and/or solve problems.
- Read and interpret sun path diagrams, day/night world maps, and other models scientists use to communicate information.
- 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 ESII.1
- phenomena observation
- model examination
- unexpected results
- scientific questioning
- investigable questions
- laboratory scope
- field investigation
- hypothesis formulation
- dependent variable
- independent variable
- variable manipulation
- hypothesis generation
- scientific principles
- research-based hypotheses
- data collection tools
- cartographic tools
- GIS
- instrumentation
- data tables
- independent variables
- dependent variables
- repeated trials
- means
- graphical data analysis
- data interpretation
- data limitations
- data modeling
- model revision
- phenomena explanation
- problem-solving
- mathematical application
- scientific data analysis
- quantitative reasoning
- data analysis
- scientific claims
- validity
- reliability
- map scales
- satellite imagery
- geologic cross-sections
- topographic profiles
- topographic maps
- geologic maps
- geospatial coordinates
- map interpretation
- explanation construction
- evidence-based reasoning
- peer review
- scientific models
- quantitative claims
- qualitative claims
- data-based reasoning
- scientific explanation
- phenomena interpretation
- evidence application
- argument comparison
- scientific evidence
- explanation evaluation
- claim formulation
- empirical evidence
- scientific reasoning
- claim evaluation
- theory application
- model linking
- model evaluation
- model merits
- model limitations
- model development
- evidence-based modeling
- system analysis
- sun path diagrams
- day/night maps
- data communication
- mathematical modeling
- statistical analysis
- source comparison
- information integration
- scientific media
- source evaluation
- scientific literature
- credibility assessment
- evidence gathering
- scientific communication
- technical reporting
- multi-format presentation
How to study and practice SOL ESII.1
Start with a quick diagnostic to see whether ESII.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 ESII.1
What is Virginia SOL ESII.1?
SOL ESII.1 is a Earth Science II Advanced Survey 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 ESII.1 cover?
SOL ESII.1 is assessed on 25 skills: ask questions that arise from careful observation of phenomena, examination of a model or theory, or unexpected results to seek additional information; determine which questions can be investigated within the scope of the school laboratory or field; make hypotheses that specify what happens to a dependent variable when an independent variable is manipulated; generate hypotheses based on research and scientific principles; select and use appropriate tools and technology, including cartographic tools, GIS, and instruments 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 and 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 in scientific contexts; analyze data using tools, technologies, and/or models to make valid and reliable scientific claims; construct and/or interpret map scales, satellite imagery, diagrams, classification charts, graphs, tables, models, geologic cross-sections, and topographic profiles; read and interpret topographic and basic geologic maps and globes using a variety of geospatial coordinate systems; construct and revise explanations based on valid and reliable evidence from models, theories, simulations, peer review, and 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 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, and/or solve problems; read and interpret sun path diagrams, day/night world maps, and other models scientists use to communicate information; 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 Earth Science II Advanced Survey is SOL ESII.1 in?
SOL ESII.1 belongs to the Scientific and Engineering Practices reporting strand of the Earth Science II Advanced Survey Virginia Standards of Learning.
How do I study and practice for SOL ESII.1?
Start with a diagnostic to see whether ESII.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.