Environmental Science · Scientific and Engineering Practices
Virginia SOL ENV.1
Virginia SOL ENV.1 is part of the Scientific and Engineering Practices strand in Environmental Science (Science). Under this Standards of Learning objective, students demonstrate understanding of scientific and engineering practices through investigation, analysis, and communication. Below is what ENV.1 covers in plain language, the specific skills it is assessed on, the key concepts to review, and how to practice ENV.1 for the Virginia SOL test.
What SOL ENV.1 means
Demonstrate understanding of scientific and engineering practices through investigation, analysis, and communication.
Skills you’ll practice for ENV.1
- Ask questions arising from observation of phenomena, models, theories, or 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 processes or systems with multiple components and criteria.
- Plan and conduct observational and experimental investigations; identify variables, constants, and controls.
- Conduct investigations or test design solutions safely and ethically, 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 explain phenomena or design solutions.
- Compare and evaluate competing arguments or design solutions using accepted explanations and new scientific evidence.
- Make and support claims using empirical evidence and scientific reasoning.
- Evaluate claims by applying scientific reasoning, theory, and/or models to link evidence to explanations or conclusions.
- Differentiate among 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 scientific questions or solve problems.
- 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 ENV.1
- question formulation
- phenomena observation
- model analysis
- theory-based inquiry
- investigable questions
- laboratory scope
- field study feasibility
- hypothesis formation
- independent variable
- dependent variable
- cause-effect prediction
- research-based hypothesis
- scientific principles
- evidence-based prediction
- design problem
- system components
- criteria specification
- engineering constraints
- investigation planning
- variable identification
- control setup
- experimental design
- safe investigation
- ethical considerations
- environmental impact
- social responsibility
- data collection tools
- technology selection
- measurement instruments
- data recording
- sample size
- sampling techniques
- data representativeness
- statistical validity
- data tables
- repeated trials
- mean calculation
- graphical data display
- data interpretation
- data limitations
- trend analysis
- data modeling
- model revision
- phenomena explanation
- solution testing
- mathematical application
- data analysis
- quantitative reasoning
- statistical methods
- scientific claims
- design optimization
- tool application
- explanation construction
- evidence-based reasoning
- peer review
- model validation
- quantitative claims
- qualitative claims
- evidence-based conclusions
- scientific application
- design solution
- evidence integration
- argument comparison
- design solution evaluation
- scientific evidence
- claim formulation
- empirical evidence
- scientific reasoning
- argument support
- claim evaluation
- theory application
- hypothesis
- scientific theory
- scientific law
- conceptual differentiation
- model evaluation
- model limitations
- model validity
- system representation
- model development
- system analysis
- phenomena prediction
- problem solving
- source comparison
- information integration
- media literacy
- scientific inquiry
- source evaluation
- credibility assessment
- scientific literature
- technical reading
- scientific communication
- technical writing
- data presentation
- multimedia formats
How to study and practice SOL ENV.1
Start with a quick diagnostic to see whether ENV.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 ENV.1
What is Virginia SOL ENV.1?
SOL ENV.1 is a Environmental Science Standard of Learning in the Scientific and Engineering Practices strand. It expects students to demonstrate understanding of scientific and engineering practices through investigation, analysis, and communication.
What skills does SOL ENV.1 cover?
SOL ENV.1 is assessed on 26 skills: ask questions arising from observation of phenomena, models, theories, or 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 processes or systems with multiple components and criteria; plan and conduct observational and experimental investigations; identify variables, constants, and controls; conduct investigations or test design solutions safely and ethically, 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 explain phenomena or design solutions; compare and evaluate competing arguments or design solutions using accepted explanations and new scientific evidence; make and support claims using empirical evidence and scientific reasoning; evaluate claims by applying scientific reasoning, theory, and/or models to link evidence to explanations or conclusions; differentiate among 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 scientific questions or solve problems; 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 Environmental Science is SOL ENV.1 in?
SOL ENV.1 belongs to the Scientific and Engineering Practices reporting strand of the Environmental Science Virginia Standards of Learning.
How do I study and practice for SOL ENV.1?
Start with a diagnostic to see whether ENV.1 is already solid, then work the 26 skills above with guided notes, flashcards, and SOL-style practice questions. For official released items, see the Virginia SOL practice tests guide.