Chapter 1_ Teacher Notes.pdf

Chapter 1: Introducing Systems Pages 10 - 12 1.1 Types of Systems - A system is a group of parts that function together to perform a specific task, for example: a can opener Physical Systems - Rely on a group of...

Chapter 1: Introducing Systems Pages 10 - 12 1.1 Types of Systems - A system is a group of parts that function together to perform a specific task, for example: a can opener Physical Systems - Rely on a group of physical parts to perform function - May be natural or human made( tools, appliances, devices, gadgets, or utensils) - Examples of natural systems: the solar system, digestive system - Examples of human made systems: mechanical systems, optical systems, electrical systems - The names of systems come from the type of energy they use Social Systems - A group of organisms working together to perform a task - Can be natural or human made - Examples of natural: bee colonies, wolf pack - Examples of human made: health care, education, rock band Aboriginal Clan Systems - Social systems - Ojibiwe believe the clan system was determined by the creator and named in honour of the animal totem - There are at least 20 different clans - Used as a form of government Page 13-16 1.2 System Components - Systems can be large and complex, or small and simple Breaking Down Systems into Subsystems - A system within a system is a subsystem - Subsystems help the system perform the task - For example: a handheld can opener has two subsystems, the holding a cutting subsystem, and the turning subsystem  - A GPS is a large complex system, it has three major subsystems: the space, control and user subsystems Breaking Down Subsystems into Mechanisms - Subsystems contain mechanisms, which change one type of force into another, a type of energy to another, a type of motion to another, or a type of action to another - In physical systems, forces make things move - In the can opener, the handles and cutting wheel are mechanisms that make up the holding and cutting subsystems - Squeezing the handles, causes the other end to grip the can and pushes the cutting wheel into the can - The digestive system also contains subsystems called organs, such as the mouth, stomach and intestines. In the mouth, the teeth acts as the mechanism to cutting and grinding food into smaller pieces - Building Up Systems into IndustriesComplex combinations of systems - Produce goods and services people need and desire - Combinations of physical and social systems - For example, the communications industry includes all systems that produce books, newspapers, internet, telephone etc. System Inputs and Outputs - All systems have inputs and outputs - Inputs may include forces, energy and raw material eg the input on the can opener is the force your hand puts on the handle - The output of the can opener is the turning and cutting of the lid Side Effects and Systems Thinking - Undesired outputs - For example: desired output of a car is motion, but some side effects are pollution, congestion and traffic - Systems thinking involves thinking about how systems work, along with the side effects. - This can help us make better decisions Page 20-21 1.4 Systems Evolve Waste Management Systems - About 67% of our garbage is buried in landfill - As the population grows and the concern for the environment rises, we recognize the need for better waste management systems - Landfill is only part of waste management, other parts include recycling programs, hazardous waste drop off depots, composting, incineration and public education Telephone Systems - Early telephones relied on many physical mechanisms such as a spring loaded hook and a rotary device - Todays phones are smaller and mobile, with different uses and few moving parts Education Systems - There now exists self directed learning schools - Influenced by social factors