Virginia SOL ENV.1

What students need to be able to do

• Ask questions that arise from careful observation of phenomena, organisms, models, or theories to seek additional information.
• Determine which questions can be investigated within the scope of a school laboratory or field study.
• Formulate hypotheses specifying the relationship between independent and dependent variables.
• Generate hypotheses based on research and scientific principles.
• Define design problems involving the development of processes or systems with multiple components and criteria.
• Plan and conduct observational and experimental investigations; identify variables, constants, and controls.
• Plan and conduct investigations or test design solutions in a safe and ethical manner, considering environmental, social, and personal effects.
• Select and use appropriate tools and technology to collect and record data.
• Determine appropriate sample size and techniques for investigations.
• 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 to analyze data.
• Analyze data using tools, technologies, and/or models to make valid and reliable scientific claims or determine optimal design solutions.
• 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 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.
• Differentiate among 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, support explanations, predict phenomena, analyze systems, or solve problems.
• 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 and/or a design process in multiple formats.