Systems Thinking Club (STim Club)

My Students

Most of my students came with very different backgrounds, resulting in various thinking and learning styles. System Thinking Club aims to introduce thinking tools to the students to understand "details in the world around us, and to show why our social and physical systems behave the way they do.

Our school remains the most diverse high school in the country.

Most of our students are from low-income families due to their refugee and immigrant status. They are facing learning difficulties in the US schools. What is more, these teenagers need to acquire skills of thinking, in this complex world. Thinking tools play a crucial role in helping them better understand what is happening around them, and in make better decisions in their daily lives. Apart from thinking skills, it is very important to help my students with some organizing skills.

My Project

The club is expected to use Systems Thinking skills to address issues that are compelling to the club, to sub-groups in the club, or to individual members. Examples could be issues that are important to their community, whether government, business, for an apartment complex, or for another organization. Club members are expected to constantly record their thoughts, and to make connections about things happening around them. Club members will draw causal-look diagrams, to map out their thinking. Therefore, notebooks and sketch books are crucial. Then, they are expected to share with the club. Hence, posters, pushpins and notebooks are needed. Club members will assess each other’s weekly work, whether on exercises, or projects. Document organizers are needed to track their work. Since most of my students didn't have formal education before they came to the US. It is very helpful if they can have a globe and maps of US and the world.

With the experiences of the Club, my students will acquire skills of thinking, sharing and organizing.

These skills are very valuable in K12 education. I hope my students in the Club will be better prepared and equipped as world citizens for the 21st Century. They will further influence and help their peers better understand the world.