MYP Design Year 1 · Unit 6 · Lesson 54
Innovation Challenge
L54 · 01

Designing Systems

Products, routines, and the design cycle itself can be understood as interacting parts working toward a function.

Student Materials
Key concept · Systems
I
INPUTWhat enters the system: material, information, energy, user action, or object.
P
PROCESSWhat the system does or changes.
O
OUTPUTThe result produced by the system.
Use ← → / Space to navigate.Lesson 54 · Systems
Learning Focus
Open loop + feedback
L54 · 02

By the end of today, students can…

Map

a simple system as input → process → output.

Identify

components that interact to perform a function.

Add feedback

show how information about the output can influence what happens next.

Key concept: SystemsSimple conceptual model
Mini-Lesson
Open-loop system
L54 · 03
INPUTDull pencil + hand motion
→
PROCESSSharpener removes material
→
OUTPUTSharper pencil + shavings
Products can be systems of interacting components.Input → Process → Output
Feedback
Closed-loop thinking
L54 · 04
Feedback can come from a person, sensor, test, or another part of the system.Closed-loop idea
Physical Demo
Classroom Supply Return System
L54 · 05
INPUTMixed used supplies
→
PROCESSSort by type + condition
→
OUTPUTItems returned to correct zones
ADD FEEDBACK

If the “wrong place” pile grows, what could the system change?

Optional teacher demo with real classroom objects.Concrete system
Workshop
System Mapping
L54 · 06
Workshop

Map one familiar school system.

STEP 01

Choose

Material checkout, paper hand-in, supply return, book storage, lunch flow, or another approved routine.

STEP 02

Map

Identify input, process, output, and important components.

STEP 03

Feedback

Add one signal that could help the system adjust or improve.

Computer is optional; printable fully supports the lesson.Main workshop
Design Connection
Find the weak link
L54 · 07
A design opportunity can appear when an input is unclear, a process has unnecessary steps, an output is poor, or feedback arrives too late.
This becomes the observation lens in L55.Systems → problems
Exit Reflection
Systems are connected parts
L54 · 08

Finish one sentence.

“Feedback can improve a system because _______.”

Next lesson

Students observe school life for one small system, product, or routine that could work better.

Designed by David Xu · © 2026 David Xu. All rights reserved. Educators and students are welcome to use these materials for non-commercial teaching and learning with attribution. Please share the original link when possible. Reposting, redistributing modified copies, removing attribution, or commercial use requires prior permission.