Stay tuned for 2021 updates!
July 20-23, 2021 – Online Sessions
REGISTRATION February 1 – July 5, 2021
Tuition:Â Regular $450Â Full-Time Students $250
registration is not complete until paid in full
Space is limited.
8th System Dynamics Summer School
Held prior to the conference, the System Dynamics Summer School provides a unique opportunity to learn (or review) the basics of System Dynamics and get exposed to real-world applications of the method. We will record all preparation sessions for viewing. The first week will be on your own to get exposure to software and systems thinking and to start watching the topic lectures. We will use the second week of Summer School week for live discussion of topics and assignments. We will have a dedicated website for materials, homework, and Q&A. This year’s Summer School will focus on introductory and intermediate topics.
The lectures and software training will be recorded and posted online. They can be watched starting July 13. Starting July 20 there will be several live discussion sections in Zoom that will cover most time zones. We will use a groups.io website for discussions, homework submissions, texts, slides, etc. Access to the site is given after registration.
All assignments require individual work. Attendees will be able to interact with those in their track via our dedicated website.
The Introductory Track is software neutral. The purpose is to teach the system dynamics methodology and not specific software syntax. There will be models available in Vensim, Studio, and Stella. Free versions of system dynamics modeling software that are limited in capability or limited in duration of use will be made available.
Instructors
David Ford, Texas A&M University (former SD Society president)
Rod MacDonald, James Madison University
Peter Hovmand, Washington University/Case Western
Birgit Kopainsky, University of Bergen (current SD Society president)
Tentative Schedule
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Introduction to Summer School |
Reflections and Review of Day |
Reflections and Review of Day |
Reflections and Review of Day |
Modeling Steps & Problem Definition |
Formal Modeling of Stocks and Flows |
Nonlinear Relationships |
Model Analysis |
Modeling Feedback Mechanisms |
Information Delays |
Modeling Policies |
Model Use |
Conceptual Modeling with Stocks and Flows |
Workshop: |
Model Validation |
Workshop: |
Workshop: Introduction to System Dynamics Modeling Software |
Applications Lecture |
Applications Lecture |
Applications Lecture |
Online Welcome |
|
Closing Reception |
The Intermediate track will focus more on software (Studio and Vensim) ; it will present more advanced modeling technique. Free versions of system dynamics modeling software that are limited in capability or limited in duration of use will be made available.
Instructors
David Keith, MIT
Jacob Jacobson, Mindseye Computing
Len Malczynski, University of New Mexico
Tentative Schedule
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Introduction |
Learning Circles |
Learning Circles |
Learning Circles |
Steps of Modeling: Problem Description |
Simulating Nonlinear Relationships |
Recognizing and avoiding Common Pitfalls |
Selection of models to be improved |
Model Building: Stocks and Flows |
Simulating the Flow of Information |
Validation Testing: for us & our client |
Student teams working on model improvements |
Checking Results with Equilibrium Diagrams |
Checking Results with delays in the flow of information |
Topic to be selected based on students’ progress |
Student teams continue with model improvements |
Diagrams to show feedback loops |
Applications Lecture |
Applications Lecture |
Applications Lecture |
Online Welcome |
|
Closing Reception |