Earth Science II Oceanography · Scientific and Engineering Practices
Virginia SOL OC.1
Virginia SOL OC.1 is part of the Scientific and Engineering Practices strand in Earth Science II Oceanography (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 OC.1 covers in plain language, the specific skills it is assessed on, the key concepts to review, and how to practice OC.1 for the Virginia SOL test.
What SOL OC.1 means
Demonstrate understanding of scientific and engineering practices through investigation, data analysis, modeling, and communication.
Skills you’ll practice for OC.1
- Ask questions that arise from careful observation of phenomena, models, theories, or additional information.
- Determine which questions can be investigated within the scope of a school laboratory or field study.
- Make hypotheses specifying the effect of manipulating an independent variable on a dependent variable.
- Generate hypotheses based on research and scientific principles.
- Define design problems involving processes or systems with interacting components, criteria, and constraints.
- Plan and conduct observational and experimental investigations; identify variables, constants, and controls.
- Plan and conduct investigations or test design solutions safely and ethically, 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 in scientific contexts.
- Analyze data using tools, technologies, and/or models to make valid and reliable scientific claims or determine optimal design solutions.
- Analyze data to optimize a design.
- 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 and design solutions.
- Compare and evaluate competing arguments or design solutions in light of accepted explanations and new 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 conclusions.
- Evaluate the merits and limitations of models.
- Develop, revise, and/or use models based on evidence to illustrate or predict relationships, support explanations, or solve problems.
- Apply mathematical and statistical concepts and processes in building and revising models, supporting explanations, or testing solutions.
- Compare, integrate, and evaluate sources of information presented in different media or formats to address scientific questions.
- Gather, read, and evaluate scientific and/or technical information from multiple authoritative sources, assessing evidence and credibility.
- Communicate scientific and/or technical information about phenomena or design processes in multiple formats.
Key concepts covered by OC.1
- question formulation
- observation
- phenomena
- models
- theories
- investigable questions
- laboratory scope
- field study
- hypothesis formation
- independent variable
- dependent variable
- manipulation
- hypothesis generation
- research
- scientific principles
- design problems
- systems
- criteria
- constraints
- investigation planning
- variables
- constants
- controls
- safe investigation
- ethical considerations
- environmental impact
- social impact
- sample size
- sampling techniques
- data collection
- data collection tools
- technology
- measurement
- data tables
- repeated trials
- means
- graphical displays
- data analysis
- limitations
- data modeling
- model revision
- phenomena explanation
- problem-solving
- mathematical application
- quantitative analysis
- data interpretation
- scientific claims
- design optimization
- data optimization
- design refinement
- explanation construction
- evidence-based reasoning
- peer review
- quantitative claims
- qualitative claims
- scientific application
- design solutions
- argument comparison
- design evaluation
- claim formulation
- empirical evidence
- scientific reasoning
- claim evaluation
- theory application
- model evaluation
- model limitations
- scientific models
- model development
- evidence-based modeling
- mathematical modeling
- statistical analysis
- model testing
- source evaluation
- information integration
- media literacy
- information gathering
- source credibility
- scientific literature
- scientific communication
- technical writing
- data presentation
How to study and practice SOL OC.1
Start with a quick diagnostic to see whether OC.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 OC.1
What is Virginia SOL OC.1?
SOL OC.1 is a Earth Science II Oceanography 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 OC.1 cover?
SOL OC.1 is assessed on 27 skills: ask questions that arise from careful observation of phenomena, models, theories, or additional information; determine which questions can be investigated within the scope of a school laboratory or field study; make hypotheses specifying the effect of manipulating an independent variable on a dependent variable; generate hypotheses based on research and scientific principles; define design problems involving processes or systems with interacting components, criteria, and constraints; plan and conduct observational and experimental investigations; identify variables, constants, and controls; plan and conduct investigations or test design solutions safely and ethically, 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 in scientific contexts; analyze data using tools, technologies, and/or models to make valid and reliable scientific claims or determine optimal design solutions; analyze data to optimize a design; 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 and design solutions; compare and evaluate competing arguments or design solutions in light of accepted explanations and new 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 conclusions; evaluate the merits and limitations of models; develop, revise, and/or use models based on evidence to illustrate or predict relationships, support explanations, or solve problems; apply mathematical and statistical concepts and processes in building and revising models, supporting explanations, or testing solutions; compare, integrate, and evaluate sources of information presented in different media or formats to address scientific questions; gather, read, and evaluate scientific and/or technical information from multiple authoritative sources, assessing evidence and credibility; communicate scientific and/or technical information about phenomena or design processes in multiple formats.
What strand of Earth Science II Oceanography is SOL OC.1 in?
SOL OC.1 belongs to the Scientific and Engineering Practices reporting strand of the Earth Science II Oceanography Virginia Standards of Learning.
How do I study and practice for SOL OC.1?
Start with a diagnostic to see whether OC.1 is already solid, then work the 27 skills above with guided notes, flashcards, and SOL-style practice questions. For official released items, see the Virginia SOL practice tests guide.