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Waters Center for System Dynamics
In Transition

Please see also the July 2001 Update

The Waters Center for System Dynamics was established to improve and expand the use of system dynamics in educational settings: kindergarten through post-graduate education. The Center has extensive experience providing instruction in systems thinking, the construction of dynamic computer models, supporting the training of professional educators in developing and implementing of system dynamics curricula, and facilitating organizational learning for educational administrators and policymakers.

With the demise of Trinity College, the Waters Center for System Dynamics is in transition as we seek to re-define ourselves and, ideally, affiliate ourselves with another college or university that will support our activities. While this transition period in proceeding, our web-presence will be limited and the information and materials that we have been accustomed to providing here will not be available. We do value communication with our colleagues (and our colleagues-to-be) and we still hope to provide a variety of products and services. At the bottom of this page, you should find links that will allow you to communicate with us. Please use those links to express your interest in any of the following services or products:

· Training: We have provided a series of training opportunities ranging from half-day workshops to a Certificate program of 5 3-credit courses for educators. These have ranged from basic introductions to Systems Thinking and Systems Tools to detailed explorations of simulation modeling and the use of such systems tools in developing curricular units. While Trinity College will no longer be available as a Burlington, VT site for such programs, we welcome the opportunity to work with groups to help them meet their training goals.

· Consultation:

· We have provided diverse groups with assistance in meeting specific problems and exploring the dynamics of a wide variety of systems. Domestic violence, impact of statewide educational testing, experimental probations programs, dynamics of a small failing college, maintaining and enhancing educational quality in a union high school - technical center system have all been explored by us in collaboration with other groups. We welcome the opportunity to facilitate such explorations and to stretch our own skills and insights.

In addition we have explored innovative interdisciplinary curricula (e.g. Plagues and People, Population Growth and the Human condition, Structures of Revolution, and Sustainable Development). We would welcome the opportunity to converse with anyone else interested in exploring such pathways to student learning.

· Products:

We have developed a number of software products, many of which we will be happy to share only for the cost (if any) of distribution. These include:

· Demo Dozen: A collection of 12 relatively simple models illustrating the power and breadth of simulation modeling in stimulating thoughtful consideration of the dynamics of these systems. Models are diverse and cover topics in economics, biology, history, demographics, and public affairs. Available for STELLA 6 for either Mac or Win platforms.

· Modeling Systems Self-Taught (MSST): A package consisting of 17 self-paced computer-tutorial lessons to guide the novice computer modeler to develop the skills and insights needed to build simple but powerful models. Also included are an Introduction and 5 evaluation exercises. MSST was designed as the instructional base for our 3-credit course on model building and continues to serve that proprietary role. We are happy to share the Introduction and the first 3 Lessons; these are available for STELLA 6 for either Mac or Win platforms.

We truly look forward to staying in contact with our friends and colleagues in the field and to making more of both.

Please contact either John Heinbokel or Jeff Potash at the following e-mail addresses, respectively:

heinbokel@vtcommonsschool.org

jeffpotash@vtcommonsschool.org

Update -- 26 July 2001:

The Waters Center for System Dynamics is now converting itself into two separately focused organizations:

The Center for System Dynamics at the Vermont Commons School: This will be the foundation on which we continue to build our K-16 educational products and services.

            The Center for System Dynamics
            The Vermont Commons School
            75 Green Mountain Dr.
            South Burlington, VT 05403
            http://www.vtcommonsschool.org
            (802) 865-8084

heinbokel@vtcommonsschool.org or jeffpotash@vtcommonsschool.org

The Center for Interdisciplinary Excellence in System Dynamics. LLP (CIESD): This will be the umbrella for our consulting activities to government agencies, educational organizations, and other non-profit and for-profit corporate partners. For the moment, the contact information is the same as that for the Center for System Dynamics, above. Address any inquiries to either Dr. John F. Heinbokel or P. Jeffrey Potash, partners in the CIESD.