Systems Thinking Guides
K-12 Overview
Why use Systems
Thinking?
Systems is 20% of the MSP
Which Systems?
Big Idea:
Physical Systems
Systems thinking makes it
possible to analyze and
understand complex
phenomena.
Earth/Space Systems
Living Systems
Systems-Speak K-3
Systems-Speak 4-5
Parts & Wholes
Subsystems & System
Function of the Part
Systems
Predict
Inputs & Outputs
Functions & Predictions
Systems-Speak 6-8
Systems-Speak 9-12
Inputs & Outputs
Positive Feedback
Boundaries & Flow
Negative Feedback
Open and Closed Systems
Equilibrium
A System is a group of interrelated parts through which matter , energy or information flow.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mark Watrin ESD112 Science Coordinator
mark.watrin@esd112.org
Systems K-1; 2-3
Part
Name all the parts
Predict: What if a part is
missing?
Whole System
Function of the whole
system
Function of the Part
Part
Function of the part
Part
Other systems with a
part like this
Function of the Part
What form of energy makes this system work?------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mark Watrin ESD112 Science Coordinator
mark.watrin@esd112.org
Systems 4-5
Subsystem
What the whole system
can do.
Inputs
function
Subsystem
System
Changes in input
function
Predict the effect of a
broken subsystem (part)
Outputs
Describe how the output will change if we change an input?--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mark Watrin ESD112 Science Coordinator
mark.watrin@esd112.org
Systems 6-8
Subsystem
Subsystem
Energy output
Receiving System
Energy input
System
Boundaries of the System
Matter Input
Predict changes
Matter Output
Receiving system
-Give an example of how a change in the subsystems influence the entire system
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Is this system Open or Closed for matter? Explain------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mark Watrin ESD112 Science Coordinator
mark.watrin@esd112.org
Systems 9-12
Subsystems in this system
Self Regulating (negative
feedback)
Inputs that regulate the
system
Matter
Self Reinforcing
(positive feedback)
Systems it is
connected to:
System
Energy
Type of Equilibrium
Static
Dynamic
Predict the outcome of
changes in the system
Outputs of the system
Matter
Energy
-How are models of this system used to make predictions?----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------What are the limitations of the model in accurately making predictions?------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mark Watrin ESD112 Science Coordinator
mark.watrin@esd112.org
System
Mark Watrin ESD112 Science Coordinator
mark.watrin@esd112.org