Systems Thinking Workshop

Engineers Without BordersCanada

Engineers Without BordersCanada

37 Chapters30 000 MembersCanada-wide

Engineers Without BordersCanada

Our Vision

A world without massive inequality in dignity and opportunity

Our Approach

We support a model of engagement that addresses causes not symptoms

We bring new ideas and energy to old problems

We foster a new generation of social change leaders through out work

EWB’s Four Outcome Areas

Working Draft Aug 2009

EWB McMaster School Outreach

Over 65 high school presentations per year Weekly Engagement Nights

Every Tuesday night from 6-7pm in JHE 144. Everyone is welcome!

Junior Fellow Programme Overseas volunteering in Malawi, Zambia, Ghana, & Burkina

Faso for 4 months during the summer Global Engineering/Curriculum Enhancement

1200 university students reached per year Fair Trade

On our way to becoming 2nd Fair Trade Campus in Canada!

1) Our past2) Our present3) Our future

Solving Problems that Matter

What does it mean to be an engineer?

Joseph Bazalgette – Chief Engineer

Solving Problems that Matter

Solving Problems that Matter

Solving Problems that Matter

Solving Problems that Matter

Solving Problems that Matter

•An effect of poverty is something that will go away if the underlying problems were addressed.

•A cause of poverty is the underlying reason why some experience the effects.

Effect vs. Cause

Real Life Example

One Laptop Per ChildMissionHardware: http://youtu.be/PM33EEAszHA Why?

Is the laptop a good idea?

What do YOU think?

Is the laptop is a good idea? What kind of impact will the laptop have? Who or what will be impacted by the

laptop? Will the children benefit? Will the laptop be used for its intended

purpose? Is the laptop sustainable?

Debate

Remembering the questions:Is the laptop is a good idea?What kind of impact will the laptop have?Who or what will be impacted by the

laptop?Will the children benefit?Will the laptop be used for its intended

purpose?Is the laptop sustainable?

What do you think now?

SYSTEMS THINKING – gaining an understanding of the complexity of interrelated factors that influence people’s lives, especially those in underdeveloped countries.

Learn to identify root causes behind a design problem.

How can this approach be used in everyday engineering application?

Questions?

About EWB About our

initiatives About the

workshop About our roles JF Program…

• Spend 3-4 months working with Engineers Without Borders in either Ghana, Malawi, Burkina Faso or Zambia

Applications are OPEN!

Go to mcmaster.ewb.ca, or check out the Facebook event!

DUE OCTOBER 23rd at 11:59pm