systems map collage
create a physical systems map by cutting out images and words from magazines or printed pages, arranging them on a large sheet, and drawing connections with arrows.
materials
- A3 paper or cardboard
- old magazines or printed images
- scissors
- glue stick
- coloured markers
- string or yarn (optional)
instructions
- 1
choose a system to map — your school, your neighbourhood, a food chain, or a daily routine
- 2
cut out 8–12 images or words from magazines that represent parts of your system
hint: think about people, places, resources, actions, and outcomes
- 3
arrange the cut-outs on the large paper — don't glue yet. move them around until related items are near each other
- 4
draw arrows between connected items using coloured markers — use different colours for different types of connection
hint: green for 'helps', red for 'blocks', blue for 'flows into'
- 5
glue everything down and label each arrow with a short phrase (e.g. 'provides energy', 'depends on')
- 6
circle the element you think has the most connections — this is your leverage point
- 7
on the back or a sticky note, write: if you could change one thing in this system, what would it be and why?