1.

2 Systems & Models, ESS Notes

1./ What is a system?

2./ What types of systems are there?

3./ Explain what the system’s approach is?

4./ Why uses systems type approach for tackling problems / issues?

5./ Explain what an “open system” is, include 3 examples.

6./ Draw / copy a systems diagram and explain what it is / what it does.

7./ Compare and contrast transformations and transfers?

8./ State what a “closed” system is.

9./ State what an “isolated” system is.

10./ Compare & contrast closed, open, & isolated systems. Use a table, 3 columns, 4 rows.
11./ State what a “model” is.

12./ Why do we use models? What kinds are there?

13./ List two strengths and weaknesses of models.

BIOSPHERE 2 (Page 22)

14./ BEFORE reading, why do you think it was called “Biosphere 2”?

15./ What was the intention of Biosphere 2?

16./ What two things went wrong with Biosphere 2?

17./ What was the end result of the experiment?

TED Talk
18./ BRIEFLY summarize Jane’s experience, in 2-3 sentences.

To Do (Page 24)
19./ Answer the question, “Evaluate these models. (Consider their strengths and
weaknesses.)”. Maybe? Skip??
To Think About (Page 25)
20./ Describe the Gaia Hypothesis and what it is based on.

21./ What are “negative” and “positive” feedback loops? (you’ll have to look in the next
section for this one!)

22./ Go to http://gingerbooth.com/flash/daisyball/ and give it a try. What do you think?