At QMAK our philosophy emphasizes the importance of understanding the interconnectedness of all things. Systems thinking is a powerful discipline that focuses on this interconnectedness and the emergent properties that arise from interactions. By adopting a systems perspective, learners can develop critical thinking skills and make informed decisions in various aspects of life.
Our Systems Thinking module introduces foundational concepts such as equilibrium, feedback loops, and the law of diminishing returns. These principles help learners recognize patterns, identify constraints, and understand growth dynamics within complex systems. By integrating systems thinking into our curriculum, we empower learners to navigate complexities and apply knowledge effectively, aligning with our commitment to fostering curiosity and practical application.
Start with the basics of balance and how complexity grows from simpler structures, forming the essential principles that govern systems.
Equilibrium is a situation where all the forces acting on something are equal and opposite, resulting in a state of balance or non-movement.
Gall’s Law states that all complex systems that work evolved from simpler systems that worked.
Explore the role of feedback and cycles, seeing systems as dynamic, interconnected processes rather than static structures.
A feedback loop is a sequence of events where the output or result of one event becomes the input or starting point for the next event.
Energy cycles are rhythmic patterns of activity and rest, input and output, or increase and decrease that occur naturally in systems.
The stress-recovery cycle is a fundamental pattern where systems experience pressure or demands (stress) followed by periods of restoration and repair (recovery).
Learn how limitations within systems shape outcomes, emphasizing the importance of resource management as a foundation for growth.
A bottleneck is a part of a system that limits the overall output or flow of that system.
Performance load refers to the total demands placed on a system and how those demands affect the system’s ability to function effectively.
The Law of Diminishing Returns is a principle that says that after a certain point, putting in more effort or resources into something doesn’t always lead to better results.
Discover how systems grow and self-enhance, building on knowledge of limits and learning how small changes can lead to significant impacts.
Scale refers to the size, proportion, or magnitude of something.
Compounding is all about how little things can grow into much bigger things over time, especially when you keep adding to them consistently.
Autocatalysis happens when a system creates its own fuel for growth as a natural part of how it works.
Gain insight into managing and allocating resources effectively, setting the stage for optimizing system performance.
Stock is any collection of resources that builds up over time within a system.
A margin of safety is like a buffer or a cushion that we build into things to help protect them from unexpected events or challenges.
Sufficiency means having just the right amount – not too much and not too little.
Segmentation is the process of dividing a large system or group into smaller parts or segments based on shared characteristics.
Understand how systems handle wear, adapt to new conditions, and sustain themselves, preparing you for more complex system behaviors.
Reorganization happens when a system needs to find a new way to work because the old way isn’t matching up with what it needs anymore.
Churn refers to the constant wear and tear that happens to the components of a system.
Irreducibility means that within any system, object, or idea, there’s a set of key elements that are so fundamental, you can’t remove them without changing the entire thing in a big way.
Delve into the inherent uncertainty within systems, exploring complex interactions and the unpredictable outcomes they can create.
Emergence refers to the phenomenon where many individual parts come together to create something bigger and more complex.
Chaos dynamics is all about how certain systems, despite following specific rules or patterns, can behave in totally unpredictable ways due to their extreme sensitivity to those initial starting conditions.
Regression to the mean is all about how things tend to balance out and return to their typical levels after an extreme high or low.
Equivalence is all about recognizing that while things may seem different on the surface, they can actually be similar or equal in important ways.
Learn to make optimal choices and navigate systems strategically, applying what you know about system behavior to find the best paths forward.
Global and local maxima are like the highest points on a landscape. The global maximum is the absolute highest point, like the tallest mountain peak. Local maxima are smaller peaks that aren’t the tallest but still rise above the nearby areas.
Multiplying by Zero is all about recognizing the things that can completely undermine or cancel out our efforts, kind of like how multiplying by zero cancels out any number.
Convergence is when things become more similar or move closer together over time. Divergence is the opposite.
Recognize the impact of external factors and dependencies on systems, broadening your understanding of interconnected environments.
Environment is everything that surrounds and influences a system.
Counterparty risk happens whenever we depend on others to keep their promises or do their part in a system.
Interdependence means that different parts of a system need each other to work.
Build knowledge of how systems maintain resilience under pressure, preparing you to handle risks and unpredictable challenges.
Critical mass is the point where a system has built up enough material, energy, or some other input that even the smallest extra bit causes a major change in its state or behavior.
A fail safe is like a safety net or backup plan that helps protect a system when something goes wrong.
Stress testing means purposely pushing a system to its limits to see how it handles pressure and discover where it might fail.
Discover how automation and standardization can streamline system operations, adding efficiency while maintaining consistency.
An algorithm is like a recipe or a set of directions that takes some initial information (called inputs) and uses a series of simple steps to produce a desired result (the output).
Automation means setting up a system to work by itself, following preset instructions without needing someone to control it every step of the way.
A standard operating procedure is like a detailed recipe or instruction manual that explains the best way to do something.
Finish with the importance of accurate, reliable data, connecting back to core principles of feedback and input quality to ensure system integrity.
Garbage In, Garbage Out means that if you feed a system with poor quality inputs (the “garbage in”), you’ll get poor quality outputs (the “garbage out”).
Sampling means looking at a small part of something to understand what the whole thing is like.
Externalization means taking thoughts, ideas, or information out of our heads and putting them into a form we can interact with in the real world.
Mastering the art of systems thinking is crucial for cultivating curious, critical, and proactive learners who are not merely consumers of information but active seekers of knowledge and understanding. By grasping the interconnectedness of systems and the power of questioning and action-oriented learning, our students develop the skills and mindset to tackle complex challenges and create meaningful change.
Explore our comprehensive resources and immersive learning experiences to embark on a transformative journey of questioning, discovery, and application. Unlock the full potential of systems thinking and empower your child to thrive in an ever-changing world.
Remember, at QMAK, we don’t just teach; we empower. We don’t just inform; we inspire. We don’t just question; we act. Become a Gold Member, and let’s unlock your child’s full potential, one question at a time.