Comparative Trip Rate Analysis of Petrol Filling Stations

Introduction to Systems Thinking A system is a group of individual elements that all work together to achieve a goal Slides adapted with approval from: Gilbert, Lisa, Deborah Gross, and Karl Kreutz. Unit 1: Introduction to Systems Thinking What Is a System? InTeGrate. https://serc.carleton.edu/163001.

Introduction to Systems Thinking Goals: Define Systems Thinking Vocabulary Read and interpret simple systems diagrams. Apply systems thinking vocabulary to real world examples

Go to the Describe a Sink Google Slide in our class folder

Here is my simple sink: faucet Water in sink drain Let s define some systems vocabulary. Type the sink system examples for each vocabulary term in the example text boxes in Section A on the handout.

Here is my simple sink: faucet The faucet, sink, and drain are all parts or elements of the sink system Water in sink drain

Here is my simple sink: This sink is a System: faucet A group of individual elements that all work together to achieve a goal Water in sink drain

The water in the sink is a reservoir faucet Reservoir A place where things that move through a system are stored Water in sink drain Things = people, ideas, objects, feelings, electricity, etcetera

The water in the sink is a reservoir faucet Reservoir Water in sink We measure the Quantity, or amount, of things in a reservoir drain For example: - The volume of water in a sink

The faucet represents a flow faucet Flow The rate (how fast) things move between reservoirs Water in sink drain

The faucet represents a flow faucet Flow Water in sink Flow Rate = Quantity Time drain For example: The rate water flows into the sink = Volume of water Time

The drain also represents a flow faucet We can measure the rate at which water drains out of the sink Water in sink drain Flow Volume of water Time

What reservoirs is this water coming from and going to? faucet Water in sink drain

What reservoirs is this water coming from and going to? Water in hot water heater faucet This is called a closed system, because the diagram begins and ends with reservoirs Water in sink drain Pipes to sewer

Event Water in hot water heater Causes the flows in a system to change faucet turn on/off the faucet (+) Water in sink When we turn on or off the faucet, we change the rate water flows into the sink drain Pipes to sewer

Event Water in hot water heater causes the system to change faucet turn on/off the faucet (+) When we turn on or off the faucet, we change the rate water flows into the sink Water in sink drain + = Same Relationship Increase flow rate Increase water in reservoir Pipes to sewer Decrease flow rate Decrease water in reservoir

Event Water in hot water heater causes the system to change faucet turn on/off the faucet (+) Water in sink When we turn on or off the faucet, we change the rate water flows into the sink drain Pipes to sewer What other event could change the system?

Event Water in hot water heater causes the system to change faucet turn on/off the faucet (+) Water in sink When we turn on or off the faucet, we change the rate water flows into the sink drain Plug/unplug the drain (-) Pipes to sewer

Event - = Opposite Relationship Water in hot water heater Decrease flow rate causes the system to change Increase water in sink reservoir faucet turn on/off the faucet ( ) Increase flow rate Decrease water in sink reservoir Water in sink When we turn on or off the faucet, we drain Plug/unplug the drain (-) Pipes to sewer

Systems Thinking for Complex Problems Psst Not all systems are this simple! But, by breaking complex systems down into manageable elements (flows, reservoirs, events), we can better understand and visualize complex systems

What are other examples of systems? Let s Brainstorm Comment your ideas in our zoom chat or raise your hand to offer an idea!

Based on our brainstorming Flow of ideas! Add examples of different systems, reservoirs, flows, and events in the example text boxes in Section A