The World of Systems• Human Systems:

These are systems that are created by people to fill individual and collective needs and wants. This includes: economic, energy, transportation, communication and infrastructure systems.

Human Systems

Are interconnected in a complicated network of relationships

Display synergy (when 2 or more parts work together to produce an effect greater than the sum of its parts)

Operate on shorter timelines than natural systems

May recycle wastes but usually end up with some (often a lot) harmful waste

Depend on natural systems

Are not well understood by humans

Can be affected by outside events and influences

Humans use technology to harvest natural resources and create lifestyles based on significantly altered environments.

We clear forests to build on, create chemicals to control pests, build roads and bridges to connect places, build dams to create hydroelectric power and many other things to shape and transform the Earth’s surface.

Curriculum Outcome 1.0

– Students are expected to explain how natural systems and human systems interact.

1.1 identify and describe natural systems

1.2 identify and describe human systems

1.3 explain how systems thinking may be used to understand interactions between natural systems and human systems

Transportation Systems are interconnecting networks, such as roads and rail lines, and the bus,

cycling, airline etc. routes that move and link people and goods.

Gas stations, roads, ferries etc. all support this system.

Page 374 of your book has a clear copy of this map

Moving people and goods across the nation is an important part of the economy. Canada’s diverse geography means products that are available in one region may not be in another. Our transportation system has played an important role in the development of our country.

The Trans-Canada highway is the world’s largest national highway with 7821 kms of paved highway.

*Read pages 374-79.

Economic systems are integrated activities such as manufacturing and transportation that produce and deliver all the goods and services we use everyday.

Infrastructure Systems are the networks of basic services needed for the functioning of a community or economy. Canada has an extensive infrastructure system including electricity, water, sewer systems, telephone service, heat, roads, garbage removal . . .

Infrastructure systems supply us with electricity, water, sewage removal and many other vital services.

Communication SystemsAdvances in technology have greatly altered how and how quickly we communicate.

Read through pages 370-373

Take some time to jot down the ‘events’ of your day so far. Five minutes of:

- got up when the alarm clock went off- took a shower- ate breakfast Dad cooked- loaded the dishwasher

And so on

transportation communication economic infrastructure energy

Create a chart like the one below. (I have this as a handout) For each column list three clear examples from your (typical) day that fit each column. If stuck, use examples from family, friends or teachers.EXAMPLE “I texted my friend to see if he was taking the car and could pick me up” would fit under communication.

I texted my friend to see if he was taking the car and could pick me up

transportation communication economic infrastructure energy

I texted my friend to see if he was taking the car and could pick me up

When filled, go back and make at least one connection for every example. Explain.EXAMPLE: The above example is also economic because the phone had to be purchased and bills must be paid.

the phone has to be paid for and had to be purchased.

the phone had to be charged

OR it could connect to energy because the phone had to be charged