Ages 12–14

System Mapper: Mapping boundaries, delays and behaviour

Map boundaries, delays, perspectives and system behaviour.

Core capabilities

What children learn

  • Causal-loop diagrams
  • Reinforcing and balancing loops
  • Delays
  • Boundaries
  • Assumptions
  • Fairness
  • Simple system viability
How they learn

Typical formats

Causal-loop mappingStakeholder mapsDebatesScenario analysisStructured researchPresentations
Example activity

Should schools ban mobile phones?

Students map who is affected, the reinforcing and balancing loops involved, the delays between action and result, and the boundaries they chose to include or exclude.