Lesson Overview
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.
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Learning Outcomes:
Develop an understanding of systems (ITEA 2) and core technologies (MD)
- Core technologies are the building blocks of all technologies (MD technology standards)
- 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)
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Getting Started
To begin this lesson, view this video that demonstrates a complex system or "Rube Goldberg"
machine. As you watch the system in action, consider the following.
- What is the purpose of the system?
- Where do you see the greatest opportunity for failure or malfunction?
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