Virginia SOL 3.1.a

3.1.a is a Standards of Learning science standard. These are the key ideas and practices under it.

• 3.1.a.i

  ask questions that can be investigated and predict reasonable outcomes

• 3.1.a.ii

  ask questions about what would happen if a variable is changed

• 3.1.a.iii

  define a simple design problem that can be solved through the development of an object, tool, process, or system

01

What Students Need to Do

Students turn observations into questions they can answer with a fair classroom test. They name one factor to change and predict the likely result. They also describe a need and what a successful solution must do.

02

What Mastery Looks Like

A student writes a testable question with a clear changed factor and measured result. The prediction is reasonable and linked to prior knowledge. The student defines a design need without jumping straight to one solution.

03

Common Misconceptions

Students may ask questions that are too broad to test with available materials. They may change several factors at once or make a prediction without a reason. They may describe a preferred invention instead of the problem it should solve.

04

How to Assess It

Give students this prompt: “A paper bridge holds five cubes, and you may change the number of paper layers.” Ask them to write a testable question, a prediction, and a design problem for a bridge that holds ten cubes.

1. 01

   Using a toy car and books, students change ramp height, write a testable question, and predict how far the car will travel.

2. 02

   Show a photo of a spilling pet bowl, then ask students to write the user's need and what a successful design must do.

3. 03

   Teams sort question cards into classroom-testable or not testable, then revise two cards to name one changed factor.

4. 04

   Inspect the classroom pencil area, then define a problem for a holder that keeps pencils sorted and fits a 20-centimeter shelf.

• 4.1.a

  The 4th Grade version of this standard.

• 2.1.a

  The 2nd Grade version of this standard.

• 6.1.a

  The 6th Grade version of this standard.

• 1.1.a

  The 1st Grade version of this standard.