1+-+Systems+&+Models

Topic 1: Systems & Models
Holiday homework - create students pages, upload work to student pages & discuss

Go to: SharePoint -> Year 11 Student Resources -> Diploma Programme -> Group 4 -> ESS -> - Teaching Point PowerPoints Look at the second one listed there, 1.1.1.& Discuss as a group (The password, for all of the PowerPoints is: CHLOROPHYLL)

Try the activity with the sticks! (take a photo of your creations :-) After viewing the PowerPoint, complete this worksheet (you may print it, or you could simply create a table in Word to complete it on your laptop)

Look at the first powerpoint listed in SharePoint, 1.1.1-1.1.3 & discuss Consider, define & note down some examples of other types of systems; economic, social & value systems

Here are the syllabus dot points that are key to the information presented there:

Biosphere 2: []

The Gaia Hypthesis

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Lesson 3



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The water cycle; a) identify the processes, b) then identify aspects as being transfers, transformations, storages

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"Inputs and outputs from systems are called flows and are represented by arrows in system diagrams. The stock held within a system is called the storage and is represented by boxes." (Pearson, p10)

Inputs, outputs, processes and storage - an ICT example: http://www.teach-ict.com/as_a2/topics/input%20processing%20output/input_process_output/index.htm

Systems thinking in management: []

Lesson 4



1.1.5 & 1.1.6 Equilibrium & Feedback
For the chemists: The concept of equilibrium media type="custom" key="8212852"

Equilibrium quick experiment - chromate ions http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/practical-chemistry/equilibrium-involving-chromatevi-and-dichromatevi-ions

For the biologists: Homeostasis media type="custom" key="8212862" - The Development of Predation Theory (1st paragraph of this section) []

A classic predator-prey example to be familiar with: The Canadian Lynx and the Snowshoe Hare Case Study (in both texts), further information: []



What is a feedback loop? media type="custom" key="8212876"

Animation of a negative feedback loop - http://health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/systems/endocrine/adam-200092.htm

**Equilibrium** **Is maintained by negative feedback loops**

Steady-state equilibrium eg. the body (homeostasis) Dynamic equilibrium eg. predator-prey relationships


 * Equilibrium**
 * Is lost if positive feedback loops occur**

Eg. oxytocin during labour, an atomic bomb reaction, unregulated population growth - the introductory quote from - http://dieoff.org/page26.htm - Systems and Feedback section from - http://www.subgenius.com/bigfist/hallscience/X0048_WhyWorldEnd.html

Do the Rabbit population gizmo in class, and the homeostasis one at home The class code for our ESS Gizmo's can be accessed from SharePoint -> ESS
 * Gizmo`s - Homeostasis and Rabbit Population **

[|www.explorelearning.com]

Time for a hot chocolate! And let`s produce a systems diagrams for it :-)





Odum`s systems diagrams

Evaluation of models

For a more explanations, examples and practice questions:

Pavan Sukdev presents a situation and narrative that is much like the kind of analysis, research and commentary we`ll engage in and develop during our study of ESS.
 * Pavan Sukhdev: The Environment, Value & Profit**

//"Pavan Sukhdev is Special Advisor and Head of UNEP's Green Economy Initiative, a major project suite to demonstrate that the greening of economies is not a burden on growth but rather a new engine for growth, employment and the reduction of persistent poverty". // //Source: http://www.teebweb.org/AboutTEEB/Personnel/BiographyofStudyLeader/tabid/1080/language/en-US/Default.aspx//

(UNEP = United Nations Environment Programme. http://www.unep.org )

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Confronting, inspiring. Deeper meanings behind ESS?
 * Jonathan Klein: Photos that changed the world**

//"Jonathan Klein co-founded Getty Images, Inc. in March 1995. At the core of Getty Images is a fundamental belief that imagery is a powerful force for change. This approach has achieved recognition from many sources, including the Business Excellence for Innovation award from the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS. In May 2005, Jonathan received top honors on ////American Photo// //’s list of the “100 Most Important People in Photography,” he is a recipient of the Entrepreneur of the Year Award in Washington and was named in the March 2006// //Fast Company// //issue as one of “The Fast 50 – The people who will change the way we work and live over the next ten years.”// //Source: http://www.gettyimages.com///

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2. Collaboration Task in Student Pages: Syllabus reference 1.1.1 - think of, discuss and research economic, social and value systems.

===**7.1.1 Environmental Value Systems** ===

Hexagon review activity



Homework: Complete the review questions from the textbooks Update your glossary Could you create one concept map for this topic?

Our focus is 1.1.1-1.1.4, as this provides us with an understanding of **systems**. Our first examples focus on **ecosystems**. We will extend this to define and give examples of **value systems**. Then furthering our research to begin to gain an understanding of the broad spectrum of **environmental value systems** (7.1.1).



Taken from: ESS Guide, p22-23