Introduction:
A microwave oven is a technology system made up of components and subsystems. At the same time, a microwave oven is only one component in a larger food preparation system that is your kitchen, and the kitchen in turn, is a component in a larger home system. In this lesson you will investigate systems and examine how "systems thinking" allow humans to identify conflicting considerations before an entire system is fully developed.

Outcomes: Develop an understanding of systems. (ITEA 2)

• Systems thinking applies logic and creativity with appropriate compromises in complex real-life problems. (2-W)
• Systems, which are the building blocks of technology, are embedded within larger technological, social and environmental systems. (2-X)
• The stability of a technological system is influenced by all of the components in the system, especially those in the feedback loop. (2-Y)
• Requirements involve the identification of the criteria and constraints of a product or system and the determination of how they affect the final design and development. (2-AA)
• Optimization is an ongoing process or methodology of designing or making a product and is dependent on criteria and constraints. (2-BB)
• Complex systems have many layers of controls and feedback loops to provide information. (2-FF)