Exploring the systems thinking approach for teaching and learning green chemistry

Systems thinking (ST) emanates from the application of systems theory, called systems analysis. A major tool of systems analysis is systems thinking. It is a way of helping a person to view systems from a broad perspective. This includes seeing overall structures, patterns and cycles in systems, rather than seeing specific events in the system or in isolation. ST is deemed relevant to education because, by focusing on an entire system, one can identify solutions that address as many issues as possible in the system; emphasizing the interconnectivity and interdependence of components in a system. Change in one part significantly affects the whole. The positive effect of the solutions leverage improvement throughout the system. (Leveraging points) This priority on the entire system and its leveraging points is called whole systems thinking.