SYSTEMS THINKING + WATER
ThinkWater is a national campaign supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help people of all backgrounds and ages think and care deeply about water. It does so by applying systems thinking to existing water education and research efforts and by actively engaging people in a new way around water issues. Our Mission-Vision is to Engage, Educate and Empower a world of Systems Thinkers to solve wicked water problems.
EXPERIENCE WHAT WE'RE ALL ABOUT:
We Are ThinkWater
WHAT WE DO
ADDRESSING ONE OF THE GREATEST CHALLENGES OF OUR TIME
Few issues are as important to the well-being of our nation and planet as water. We increasingly face short- and longer-term crises due to a host of complex factors involving climate, ecology, and human use patterns.
ThinkWater uses systems thinking to magnify the impact of existing water lessons and research. We teach systems thinking to youth, adults, water educators, and scientists to improve their ongoing education and research in the field to produce positive, measurable outcomes. READ MORE
DSRP
Four simple rules of systems thinking
We utilize the groundbreaking research of Dr. Derek Cabrera, which isolates four underlying rules of systems thinking: recognizing Distinctions, Systems, Relationships, and Perspectives (DSRP). READ MORE
A Little Film About a Big Idea
NEWS & EVENTS
THINKWATER FELLOWS
Rethinking Water USDA Thinkwater
STATE IMPLEMENTATION
ThinkWater is implementing systems thinking-based water education, research, and Extension programming to better address our complex water problems. Through this implementation, ThinkWater is researching the effectiveness of this strategy (Does ST improve education, research, and Extension programming?) and compiling resources and documentation to enable implementation by others.
Wisconsin
As the flagship state for ThinkWater implementation, Wisconsin is innovating, piloting, and researching new strategies and compiling resources and research to share with other states, regions, Tribal Nations, and territories in the United States. Primary components of ThinkWater implementation thus far include the Wisconsin ThinkWater School and the Wisconsin Water Thinkers Network, along with multiple overlapping outreach and professional development efforts engaging small and large groups and institutions throughout the state. READ MORE
RESOURCES
INFOGRAPHICS, POSTERS, CASE STUDIES, PLECTICA MAPS, etc.
ThinkWater has created a wide variety of free resources designed to increase deeper understanding of the concepts that underlie systems thinking.
SYSTEMS THINKING CARD SET Download card set here
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PLECTICA MAPS
Click on the PLECTICA MAPS below to see the live maps at plectica.com. SEE MORE PLECTICA MAPS
MORE THINGS YOU CAN DO
READ OUR LATEST BOOK
Systems Thinking Made Simple is for anyone interested in learning the foundational ideas of systems thinking.
USE THE APP
Learn the newest Systems Thinking and modeling software available today.
What is Plectica software? An elevator speech intro
Get smart. Sign up for Plectica
JOIN THE DISCUSSION
Get everyday examples of DSRP. Lurk, post, and learn in this online DSRP discussion group.
GET TRAINED
Learn systems thinking online from world renowned researchers in the field.
STMS 101: Systems Thinking Made Simple 101
Learn the principles of Systems Thinking online through practical videos and interactive modeling.
TT 101: Teaching Thinking 101 is currently in development. ETA: Mid 2019
ORGANIZATIONAL IMPACT
ThinkWater's collective impact is achieved through mutually reinforcing activities with many private and public organizations.
INDIVIDUAL IMPACT
Water Researchers, Extension Agents, and Educators transform their work.
