Life Science · Scientific and Engineering Practices
Virginia SOL LS.1
Virginia SOL LS.1 is part of the Scientific and Engineering Practices strand in Life Science (Science). Under this Standards of Learning objective, students demonstrate understanding of scientific and engineering practices through investigation, analysis, and communication. Below is what LS.1 covers in plain language, the specific skills it is assessed on, the key concepts to review, and how to practice LS.1 for the Virginia SOL test.
What SOL LS.1 means
Demonstrate understanding of scientific and engineering practices through investigation, analysis, and communication.
Skills you’ll practice for LS.1
- 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.
Key concepts covered by LS.1
- hypothesis
- independent variable
- dependent variable
- relationship
- design solutions
- engineering design
- problem-solving
- investigations
- variables
- constants
- controls
- experimental design
- safety
- chemicals
- equipment
- laboratory safety
- data collection
- accuracy
- methods
- evaluation
- metric measurements
- tools
- microscopes
- technology
- data patterns
- interpretation
- trends
- graphical displays
- data analysis
- graphs
- data comparison
- group analysis
- findings
- collaboration
- data limitations
- precision
- improvement
- data evaluation
- design refinement
- solutions
- engineering
- explanations
- qualitative relationships
- quantitative relationships
- scientific explanations
- evidence
- validity
- reliability
- theory
- scientific method
- differentiation
- models
- simulations
- phenomena
- prediction
- explanation
- model limitations
- simplification
- scientific texts
- information retrieval
- technical reading
- information synthesis
- credibility
- bias assessment
- argument construction
- empirical evidence
- scientific reasoning
- presentation
How to study and practice SOL LS.1
Start with a quick diagnostic to see whether LS.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 LS.1
What is Virginia SOL LS.1?
SOL LS.1 is a Life 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 LS.1 cover?
SOL LS.1 is assessed on 19 skills: 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.
What strand of Life Science is SOL LS.1 in?
SOL LS.1 belongs to the Scientific and Engineering Practices reporting strand of the Life Science Virginia Standards of Learning.
How do I study and practice for SOL LS.1?
Start with a diagnostic to see whether LS.1 is already solid, then work the 19 skills above with guided notes, flashcards, and SOL-style practice questions. For official released items, see the Virginia SOL practice tests guide.