What is a System?

1. This Power Point presentation was presented at the NSTA regional conference in Seattle, December 9, 2011 • Images without permission for distribution have been removed, with italicized notes of what was shown. Feel free to add in your own creative systems!

2. What is a System? Created by: Ken Brager (Amistad Elementary, formerly of Highlands Middle School, Kennewick, WA) Martha Mather (Highlands Middle School, Kennewick, WA) Vicky Smoot (Horse Heaven Hills Middle School, Kennewick, WA)

3. Today’s Purpose Our purpose today is to answer the questions: • What is a system? • Can students identify systems around them?

4. Alarm System Welfare System What is a system? Fuel System Organ System School System Control System Sprinkler System Ecosystem Weather System Political System

5. This is a system

6. This is a system

7. This is a system

8. This is a system

9. So, what makes a system a system?

10. What is our definition of a system? • Two or more individual parts that work together to perform a single function (job) and combine to form a whole.

11. What was that again? • Two or more individual parts that work together to perform a single function And combine to form a whole.

12. Let us look at a sprinkler system A sprinkler system has many parts. Working sprinklers on grass Some parts are above ground.

13. Underground view of sprinkler system Some parts are below ground.

14. Sprinkler control valves and control box Some parts control what happens.

15. Two photos of malfunctioning sprinklers—showing bubbling/spraying high Sometimes parts do not always work right.

16. Soda bottle drip system. Labeled diagram of sprinkler Some sprinkler systems are simple (have few parts).

17. Full diagram of sprinkler system in a field—complex set up Some are much more complex.

18. But all sprinkler systems have the same purpose… Up close picture of grass … to water plants.

19. Remember our definition of a system? • Two or more individual parts that work together to perform a single function and combine to form a whole.

20. Let’s look at the parts, the whole, and the purpose

21. Is this a system?

22. Yes! The skateboard has separate parts that combine to form a whole to perform a single function

23. Yes! Has two or more parts that work together to perform a single function.

24. System?

25. Yes! It has ____________ that work together to ____________ And combine to ____________

26. Why is knowing about systems important? • Human beings live in a universe made up of systems. • Your body is made up of systems • Your lives are affected by systems • You buy systems • You sleep on systems • You eat systems • Everything you do involves systems.

27. Are there systems in this room? With your team list at least four systems that are in this room. • Classroom Management System • Computer System • Heating and Cooling System • The Pencil Sharpener • The Clock • The plumbing system • And lots more.

28. Inputs and Outputs • Every system has an INPUT and OUTPUT. Its OUTPUT is the function (job) that it does or the result of its job. What is its INPUT?

29. Inputs can be…. • ENERGY—in some form. • MATTER—some kind of “stuff” so it can do its job • INFORMATION

30. Practice with these systems: Find the Parts, the Input, and the Output

31. Practice • Find the PARTS, the INPUT, and THE OUTPUT

32. Practice • Find the PARTS, the INPUT, and THE OUTPUT

33. Systems Continued Inputs, Outputs, Boundaries and Subsystems

34. What we know: • A system is two or more individual parts working together for a common function (purpose) that combine to form a whole.

35. Inputs and Outputs • Systems have inputs - things that get put in to make the system function. • Systems have outputs – what they do, and sometimes other things.

36. Inputs • In order to carry out their purpose, systems need an input of some kind of energy. Sometimes they need other inputs of matter (stuff) or information too. • OUR DEFINITIION: An input is something that enters the system. It can be matter (stuff), information, or energy

37. Forms of Energy Input • There are lots of kinds of energy. Some common kinds are: • Electrical • Thermal (heat) • Mechanical (movement) • Nuclear • Chemical (food is one example; a battery is another) • Sound • Light

38. What kind of energy input is needed by these systems?

39. Output • Outputs from a system can include what they do, energy, information, and any other matter (stuff) that comes out. • OUR DEFINITION: An output is something that leaves the system. It can be matter (stuff), information, or energy

40. What kind of energy output is produced by these systems?

41. Outputs can become inputs. • Sometimes the output from one system can become the input for another system.

42. Practice • Name the inputs and outputs for a dairy cow.

43. Practice • Name the inputs and outputs for broccoli.

44. Practice • Name the inputs and outputs for a toaster.

45. Boundary • The boundary is the outside border of the system. Depending on where we draw the boundary, we can look at a system or a subsystem as a system.

46. Sometimes systems are too large to study so they are broken down into smaller subsystems.

47. A subsystem is a system within a system

48. Subsystems Cooling system of an engine.

49. Why? • Because we look at things systematicallyto understand them. Sometimes we look at the larger system, and sometimes we look at the smaller system that is a subsystem of the larger system.

50. Systems can be Open or Closed • Open systems allow matter, energy and information to enter and leave. • Closed systems don’t allow matter to enter and leave, but energy and information can still enter and leave. Example: The water cycle of the earth will not gain more water (matter) however, it will gain sunlight (energy).