2014 Systems Thinking Dynamic Modeling Conference
Babson Executive Conference Center, Wellesley, MA | June 28 - June 30, 2014
INTEGRATING LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS
The Systems Thinking and Dynamic Modeling Conference for K-12 education will provide resources and opportunity for educators and interested citizens to explore what is current and possible in K-12 systems education.
Conference Handouts and Materials.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Summer is upon us! Take a look at these upcoming courses and events. Hope to see you there!
WPI -
Worcester, MA
Date: July 7-11, 2014
Age Range: Grades 8-10
Learn more...
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July 14-18, 2014
Camp Snowball
Portland, OR
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VISUAL TOOLS FOR STUDENT PROJECTS:
Communicating
Critical Thinking
From the first chapter:
Creating the question or the topic for student projects can be the most agonizing part of the whole process. Having students brainstorm ideas, either singly or in groups, is productive. These are a few questions and guidelines that may help. Encourage students to stay within the general subject area of the project assignment. Read more...
Built as a collaboration between The Creative Learning Exchange and The Gelfand Family Charitable Trust. This booklet is designed to help teachers and students create and
complete all kinds of projects (in science and other curricula) which clearly show and explain the critical thinking incorporated within the project.
After exploring how to create a question, the booklet continues in other key areas such as: communicating thinking with visual tools, how to use the visual tools of systems thinking, and assessing Visual Tools for
Communicating Critical Thinking.
Download the booklet and explore!
Thinking About Drinking
What are the effects of drinking alcohol? A new simulation from the Creative Learning Exchange explores just that concern. Use the simulation and lesson to see what happens over time to one’s Blood Alcohol Concentration (or BAC) following the consumption of alcohol.
Try the simulation!
Dollars and Sense II: Our Interest in Interest, Managing Savings, and Debt
by Jeff Potash and the CLE
Dollars and Sense II challenges students to understand how compound interest affects their personal financial lives, through savings, credit cards, installment loans and mortgages.
Simulations contained in 8 lessons emphasize practical hands-on learning (experimenting, making mistakes) in using systems thinking and mathematical tools to manage their financial futures. The materials include Instructor Guides and Student Worksheets.
Learn more....
The Water Bottle Project
Participants at Camp Snowball 2011 use a water bottle activity to learn the concepts of stocks and flows.
More videos....
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Learning to Connect the Dots:
Developing Children’s Systems Literacy
by Linda Booth Sweeney
Reprinted with permission from Solutions, Vol 5, No. 3. pp. 55-62
The road construction project around the local rotary had been going on for over a year. As a result, the whole town was cranky. One afternoon, my son and I drove the rotary just before 5:00 p.m., along with throngs of irritable commuters, anxious to get home. Tempers were short and the sound of car horns pierced the air. Pointing to the tangle of traffic in front of us, my then four-year-old asked: "Mommy, what happens when everyone says me first!?"
I was used to his asking questions. Typically, Jack asked about categories ("Animals aren't people, are they?"), or how things work ("Why do bees kiss the flowers?") or facts ("How hot is the center of the earth?"). This question was different; this one had to do with causes and consequences. I considered talking to him about the cost of maximizing individual gain, but held back and asked instead, "What do you think would happen if everyone said me first!?"
Read more in The Exchange...
More articles at the CLE by Linda Booth Sweeney
My Experience
with System Dynamics
as a High School Teacher
by Ian Parker
My name is Ian Parker, from Australia. I have sporadically
followed the fortunes of System Dynamics, especially in the
education sector, for more than 20 years now. At one time,
when the System Dynamics conference was held in New Zealand, I was
almost able to attend. Now, I am about to retire from teaching—Science
(specialising in Pre-College Physics) and Computing Studies.
Read more in The Exchange...
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Systems Thinking and Dynamic Modeling Conference
Babson College, Wellesley, MA
June 28 – June 30, 2014
PRE-CONFERENCE INTRODUCTORY TRAINING IN SYSTEMS THINKING
FRIDAY JUNE 27th
A new workshop will be held at Babson Executive Conference Center on June 27th, the day before the conference. This training workshop will include 8 hours on Friday (9 AM — 5 PM), breaks and lunch on Friday, a 3-hour workshop session on Saturday afternoon, and mentorship time scheduled during the conference, tailor-made to increase your knowledge and help you integrate the offerings of the conference. Work with systems mentors with decades of experience in 11 hours of introductory content and utilize their guidance in integrating the stimulating material and discussion presented throughout. The workshop is offered for an additional fee of $110.00. This does not include lodging on Friday night.
Register here
SYSTEMS THINKING AND DYNAMIC MODELING CONFERENCE PROGRAM
SPECIAL: Throughout the conference, Jeff Potash and Jennifer Andersen, two experienced modelers with extensive K-12 experience, will meet with you by appointment to discuss your model or how to incorporate modeling into your curriculum.
SATURDAY JUNE 28th
10:00-12:00 Keynote: What skills do kids need to complement and enhance SD to make meaning and gain knowledge? – Linda Booth Sweeney, Systems educator and author, with Brad Morrison, Brandeis University, and others.
Read more in The Exchange...
Register for the conference
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Download The Exchange vol 23.2 |
