In this activity, students will watch a PBS ScienceNOW video about complex adaptive systems called "Emergence" and reflect on whether or not various systems are complex adaptive systems.  (Note: Complex adaptive systems are systems that have "emergent complexity" as described in the video.)

• Watch the video on Emergence
• Review characteristics of complex adaptive systems
• Play "Complex or Complicated"
• Reflect on whether or not "Turn & Walk" is a complex adaptive system
  

Video on Emergence:

Review the Characteristics of a complex adaptive system.

Play "Complex or Complicated"
After reviewing the concepts in the video, we assess students' understanding by playing the game "Complex or Complicated." Here's a presentation file for running the Complex or Complicated activity.  To play, simply ask which image represents a complicated system vs. a complex adaptive system and engage the students in discussion. 

For each of the following examples, choose whether the example is a complex system or just a complicated system. 





Reflection:
Is "Turn and Walk" an example of a complex adaptive system? Why or why not? Post your reflection in your portfolio in the section "Reflections->Complex Adaptive Systems" under the heading "Is Turn and Walk a Complex Adaptive System?"