Oren Zuckerman
Mitchel Resnick
ABSTRACT
We present the latest prototype of System Blocks, a new interactive learning environment that facilitates hands-on modeling and simulation of systems concepts. System Blocks, by making processes visible and manipulable, can help students learn about the core concepts of systems at a younger age. K-12 schools rarely introduce students to core concepts of systems such as interconnectedness, positive and negative feedback, stocks and flows, or time delay. These concepts are considered "too hard" for pre-college students. Using System Blocks, 5th grade students with no prior instruction in systems were able to model and simulate systems, to interact with concepts such as net-flow dynamics and positive feedback, and to successfully connect the simulations to real-life examples.
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