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!

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)

Today’s Purpose 1. What is a system? 2.Can students identify systems around them? Our purpose today is to answer the questions:

What is a system?

This is a system

So, what makes a system a system?

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.

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

Got it?

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

Some parts are below ground. Underground view of sprinkler system

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

Sometimes parts do not always work right.

Some sprinkler systems are simple (have few parts).

Some are much more complex.

… to water plants. But all sprinkler systems have the same purpose …

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.

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

Is this a system?

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

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

System?

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

System?

Yes! Our bodies have many separate parts making up a whole with a single job—to help us survive!

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 systemsEverything you do involves systems.

Are there systems in this room? Classroom Management System Computer System Heating and Cooling System The Pencil Sharpener The Stereo System Wireless Microscope System And lots more With your team list at least four systems that are in this room.

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?

ENERGY—in some form. MATTER—some kind of “stuff” so it can do its job INFORMATION

Practice with these systems: Find the parts, the INPUT, and THE OUTPUT