This project and resources are based upon work supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under Agreement Nos. 2011-51130-31148 & 2015-68007-23213

Jennifer Kushner, Project DirectorUniversity of Wisconsin

jennifer.kushner@ces.uwex.eduthinkwater.us

RESEARCH & Patent(unifying theory)

“STATE OF THE FIELD” FRESHMARKETING

SCALABLE MOOC

OPPORTUNITIES FOR CONTINUEDEMPOWERMENT ONLINE POWERFUL MODELING TOOLS

ENGAGE EDUCATE

EMPOWER

SYSTEMS THINKING ORGANIZATION

AND IN PERSON

SECRET SAUCE

SYSTEMS THINKING EVALUATION AND

RESEARCHEXECUTION & EVOLUTION

Evaluation StudiesPhase 1: Proof of Concept 3 educators; NM and OH; non-formal;

1 hour training; 4 lessons over 6 days Taught 2 original lessons; 2

“thinkified” lessons (best of the best)

Youth (n=~ 51 ) Statistically significant gain in

content understanding with just structuring (DSRP)

e.g.clean water vs. wetlands help filter water and stop erosion

Phase 2: “Flip-ability” Pilot 3 educators; AZ; 9 hours

online training in ST concepts, tools; how to teach

80 educators receive 3 days of training by 3 who use ST101 course in their training- “flipping”; on-line learning builds skills

Youth (n=~2500) learn water content “thinkified” by their own teacher

Student data: 2015 (pre) & May 2016 (post).

Water Systems Thinking ThinkWater

Unexpected resultswater and beyond…

“Common language”

food security

nationalsecurity

climate

agriculture

environment

energy

reclamation

publichealth

science &tech

water

oceanicatmospheric

land use

This project and resources are based upon work supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under Agreement Nos. 2011-51130-31148 & 2015-68007-23213

THANK YOU to USDA-NIFA…and for your attention!

thinkwater.us