Virginia SOL LS.1

What students need to be able to do

• Ask questions and develop hypotheses to determine relationships between independent and dependent variables.
• Offer simple solutions to design problems.
• Independently and collaboratively plan and conduct observational and experimental investigations; identify variables, constants, and controls where appropriate.
• Include the safe use of chemicals and equipment in investigations.
• Evaluate the accuracy of various methods for collecting data.
• Take metric measurements using appropriate tools and technologies including microscopes.
• Identify, interpret, and evaluate patterns in data.
• Construct, analyze, and interpret graphical displays of data.
• Compare and contrast data collected by different groups and discuss similarities and differences in findings.
• Consider limitations of data analysis and/or seek to improve precision and accuracy of data.
• Use data to evaluate and refine design solutions.
• Construct explanations that include qualitative or quantitative relationships between variables.
• Construct scientific explanations based on valid and reliable evidence obtained from sources.
• Differentiate between a scientific hypothesis and theory.
• Construct and use models and simulations to illustrate, predict, and/or explain phenomena, life processes, or mechanisms.
• Evaluate limitations of models.
• Read scientific texts to obtain scientific and/or technical information.
• Gather, read, and synthesize information from multiple sources and assess credibility, accuracy, and bias.
• Construct, use, and/or present an argument supported by empirical evidence and scientific reasoning.