Earth Science II Astronomy · Scientific and Engineering Practices
Virginia SOL AS.1
Virginia SOL AS.1 is part of the Scientific and Engineering Practices strand in Earth Science II Astronomy (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 AS.1 covers in plain language, the specific skills it is assessed on, the key concepts to review, and how to practice AS.1 for the Virginia SOL test.
What SOL AS.1 means
Demonstrate understanding of scientific and engineering practices through investigation, data analysis, modeling, and communication.
Skills you’ll practice for AS.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.
- 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 to collect and record data.
- Construct and interpret data tables.
- Construct, analyze, and interpret graphical displays of data and consider limitations of data analysis.
- Use data to build and revise models, to support an explanation for phenomena, or test a solution to problems.
- Apply mathematical concepts and processes.
- 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 obtained from a variety of sources including models, theories, simulations, peer review, and students' own 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, to support explanations, predict phenomena, analyze systems, and/or solve problems.
- Read and interpret star charts, Sun path diagrams, day/night world maps, and other ways astronomers communicate information.
- Apply mathematical and statistical concepts and processes in building and revising models, and supporting explanations of phenomena.
- Derive mathematical models (equations) from experimental data.
- 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 AS.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
- research-based hypotheses
- scientific principles
- data collection tools
- technology selection
- data recording
- data tables
- data construction
- data interpretation
- graphical displays
- data analysis
- data limitations
- data modeling
- model revision
- phenomena explanation
- problem testing
- mathematical application
- mathematical processes
- scientific claims
- validity
- reliability
- explanation construction
- evidence-based reasoning
- peer review
- model-based evidence
- quantitative claims
- qualitative claims
- data-based claims
- scientific 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
- phenomena prediction
- star charts
- Sun path diagrams
- world maps
- astronomical communication
- mathematical modeling
- statistical application
- mathematical derivation
- experimental data
- model equations
- source comparison
- information integration
- media evaluation
- scientific problem-solving
- information gathering
- source evaluation
- evidence assessment
- credibility assessment
- scientific communication
- technical communication
- multi-format presentation
How to study and practice SOL AS.1
Start with a quick diagnostic to see whether AS.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 AS.1
What is Virginia SOL AS.1?
SOL AS.1 is a Earth Science II Astronomy 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 AS.1 cover?
SOL AS.1 is assessed on 24 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; 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 to collect and record data; construct and interpret data tables; construct, analyze, and interpret graphical displays of data and consider limitations of data analysis; use data to build and revise models, to support an explanation for phenomena, or test a solution to problems; apply mathematical concepts and processes; 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 obtained from a variety of sources including models, theories, simulations, peer review, and students' own 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, to support explanations, predict phenomena, analyze systems, and/or solve problems; read and interpret star charts, Sun path diagrams, day/night world maps, and other ways astronomers communicate information; apply mathematical and statistical concepts and processes in building and revising models, and supporting explanations of phenomena; derive mathematical models (equations) from experimental data; 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 Astronomy is SOL AS.1 in?
SOL AS.1 belongs to the Scientific and Engineering Practices reporting strand of the Earth Science II Astronomy Virginia Standards of Learning.
How do I study and practice for SOL AS.1?
Start with a diagnostic to see whether AS.1 is already solid, then work the 24 skills above with guided notes, flashcards, and SOL-style practice questions. For official released items, see the Virginia SOL practice tests guide.