2010 Systems Thinking and Dynamic
Modeling Conference for K-12 Education
June 26 - June 28, 2010
The Babson Executive Conference Center
Wellesley, MA

Join some of the finest systems education and system dynamics practitioners in a learning bonanza designed to foster systemic change and community building in K-12 education.

• Hear system dynamicist and educator Jim Hines share insights from many years of teaching students and helping businesses improve.
• Examine the use of system dynamics in our ever-shrinking world
  with Andrew Jones.
• Join Ken Kay of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills to explore how sytems thinking fits into today's education.
• Investigate the use of simulations for education with expert Dennis Meadows.
• Interact with experienced systems educators Tracy Benson, Alan Ticotsky, Rob Quaden, Diana Fisher, George Richardson, and many more.
• Talk with Jay Forrester, founder of the field of system dynamics.
• Delve into systems stories, games, and fables with Linda Booth Sweeney.
• Address the uses of technology to communicate as a community.
• Explore new technology for bringing learner-centered learning to system dynamics in K-12 education.

The Systems Thinking and Dynamic Modeling Conference will provide resources and opportunity for educators and interested citizens to explore what is current and possible in K-12 systems education.

This year’s conference has been designed to maximize your learning, provide take-away practical knowledge, and bolster opportunities to meet and network with others. It will center around:

• Workshops with hands-on learning
• Informative plenary presentations
• Discussion roundtables
• Ample opportunities for less formal networking

Please mark your calendars, and recruit colleagues across grades, disciplines, and organizational roles to make an effective team. There is a $25.00 discount for each member of a team of 3 or more.

The offerings will range from Introductory to “Master Class” and will focus on curricula, classroom management, and organizational themes to meet participants’ needs for addressing specific grade levels, systems tools, and disciplines.

Presenters include:

• Teachers and administrators actively involved in systems education across the country and internationally
• Internationally known speakers and professors in the field of systems thinking and system dynamics

Our presenters and attendees will address multiple interests:

• Use of systems tools to facilitate communication in both classrooms and organizations
• Use of systems tools to facilitate critical thinking
• Learner-centered learning and dynamic modeling as part of the curriculum
• Current action research initiatives
• Improving the quality of education within local schools
• Lifelong learning and creativity in students and teachers

Our goal is to help students/future employees be self-motivated and have the critical thinking skills necessary to look at dynamic systems in an increasingly complex technological society.

How to become a presenter

• Tools for understanding and communicating in the classroom and in school administration
• Training, both how to do it and training sessions for all levels from neophyte to experienced
• Successive improvement—how have we done it? What are the markers of our failures and triumphs?
• Case studies approach–where has SD made a difference both in education and in the world?
• Many people enter systems education through various doors. How do we create paths from those doors? What paths have worked or have not worked?
• System Dynamics as a vehicle for collaboration and questioning.
• The future of SD/learner-centered learning in K-12. How can we contribute toward it?

• Feb. 25, 2010–Submit an abstract to Lees Stuntz via e-mail (stuntzln@clexchange.org) that includes the context and history of the session topic and the experience level of expected participants.
• Mar. 15, 2010–All authors will be notified of the status of their submission via e-mail.
• June 1, 2010 –A final outline/presentation or paper due via e-mail for incorporation into the conference CD.

The registration fee includes the conference, 6 meals—lunch and dinner on Saturday; breakfast, lunch and dinner on Sunday; breakfast on Monday—and a continuous break buffet. It does not include lodging. Please read below for more information about lodging arrangements.

There are three ways to register for the conference:

1. Register on-line and pay by credit card on-line.
2. Download the registration form and fax completed form, along with a purchase order, to the Creative Learning Exchange at 978-635-3737
3. Download the registration form and mail the completed form, with payment, to the Creative Learning Exchange.

There are scholarships available to help defray the cost of this conference. See here for more information.

Mail all correspondence to:
The Creative Learning Exchange
27 Central St.
Acton, MA 01720
Fax: (978) 635-3737

You will receive written confirmation by mail. Full refund is available through May 15. Cancellation Fee: $50.00 cancellation fee May 16 to June 1.
No Refund after June 1. Late Registration Fee: $50.00 late registration fee after May 15.

The Babson Executive Conference Center
Wellesley, MA

The conference will be held at Babson Executive Conference Center, located on Babson College’s campus in Wellesley, MA, 20 minutes from Boston and Logan International Airport. With rolling hills and landscaped grounds, the seclusion and serenity of the setting will ensure the focus of the conference is on learning, engaging, and sharing. Visit their website for more information about the amenities available.

Rooms at the Babson Conference Center cost $116.41/single occupancy or $120.33/double occupancy, per night, during the conference dates of June 26 and 27. Rooms at the Conference Center before or after those dates cost $141.29/single or double occupancy, per night, including breakfast. All room rates are subject to 9.7% Massachusetts room tax. Reserve early to be assured of room availability.

To book a hotel room for the ST/DM Conference, please call Rachael Cavanagh at the Babson Conference Center, 781-239-5816 (rachael.cavanagh@babson.edu). Hotel rooms at Babson are currently full, but the Babson Conference Center will provide rooms for all ST/DM conference participants who need one. Rachael will put your name on a waiting list. If rooms do not become available at Babson, you will be given a room at a nearby boutique hotel with free shuttle to and from the Babson Conference Center.

Wellesley Carriage provides limousine service from Logan Airport in Boston to the Babson Conference Center. The cost, including gratuities, is $99.50 for 3 people. A van, accommodating 1–9 people, costs $180.00 all inclusive. It is suggested to make transportation arrangements in advance of arrival. Mention account # 04468 to receive a 10% discount. Wellesley Carriage: +1-800-836-0006, wellesleycarriage.com

The approximate cost of a taxi accommodating up to four passengers from Logan International Airport to Babson is $68.00, plus gratuity. Veterans Taxi: +1-800-442-7554, veteranstaxi.com

Andi Miller, Creative Learning Exchange
978-635-9797
milleras@clexchange.org