Ocean Literacy for All: A Tool Kit

This publication is made of two parts. The first part presents the history of oceanliteracy, and describes its framework made of 7 essential principles, and connectsthem to international ocean science programs that contributes to enhancing oceanknowledge and observations. Moreover, marine scientists and educators wereinterviewed to share their professional experiences on ocean literacy as well astheir views on its future. The last chapter of part 1 describes the existing challengesto marine education, as well as the path for the development of successful oceanliteracy activities in the context of the 2030 Agenda. One of the most importantfactors identified is related to the creation of multi-sector partnerships amongthe education, government, and private sector that have jointly built ocean literacyprograms for all formal educational levels from the primary school to the universitylevel as well as for non-formal learners. Worldwide examples of such programs arepresented.The second part, after introducing the methodological approach based on themulti-perspective framework for ESD developed by UNESCO, presents 14 activitiesthat could provide tested examples and support for the implementation of marineeducation initiatives. The aim is not to provide a one size-fits-all ready to usecollection, but rather to offer support and examples of what could be then adaptedfor different geographical and cultural contexts. The resources are designed to berelevant for all learners of all ages worldwide and to find their application in manylearning settings, while in their concrete implementation they will, naturally, haveto be adapted to the national or local context

Team 3: Exploring the relationship of systems research to systems literacy

In this paper, the Systems Research Team (SRT) details the activities and outcomes of the 2016 IFSR Conversation in Linz, Austria. The 2016 SRT includes: Mary Edson (team leader), Pam Buckle Henning, Tim Ferris, Andreas Hieronymi, Ray Ison, Gary Metcalf, George Mobus, Nam Nguyen, David Rousseau, and Shankar Sankaran, with guest team member, Peter Tuddenham, anchoring the endeavor in Systems Literacy. While the 2014 SRT’s focus was answering the question, “What distinguishes Systems Research from other types of research?” an internal focus intended to provide grounding for researchers new to the Systems Sciences, the 2016 SRT’s focus is on reaching out to a broader community in order to provide a foundation for Systems Literacy. The team’s Conversation revolved around the question, “How can Systems Research be in service to Systems Literacy?” The team’s discussions were directed into two essential aspects, separate and integrated, of this question. First, Systems Research serves Systems Literacy by providing a credible foundation for the principles and practices of Systems Science and Systems Thinking in both systematic and systemic modes. Second, Systems Research provides a neutral frame for development of ethical applications of those principles and practices. The SRT recognizes the exigency in providing foundational principles that can be effectively adopted and disseminated through Systems Literacy. The team’s narrative begins with an understanding the urgency for application of Systems Sciences and Systems Thinking to critical issues. Systems research, as with other types of research, is typically a slow generation of results; however, the body of knowledge gained through this process can be confidently used to address complexity in timely ways. The criticality of the need for salient approaches to complexity is shown in a graphic representation of some possible trajectories of applying or not applying these Systems principles in practice. The choice of how we respond to these issues relates to a process model that can be applied. Through understanding the relationship of the process model to the trajectory, the team directed its focus to developing a MindMap (Eppler, 2006) of eight essential aspects or features of how Systems Research can support Systems Literacy. These include: Systems Science knowledge base, roles and personas, maturity models, role profile, ontology/vocabulary, perspective/framing choice, frameworks, and political ecology. Each of these eight has its own process of unpacking, which was demonstrated to the Conversation participants by delving more deeply into the aspect of knowledge base. The eight relate to unpacking the Systems landscape in a coherent but loosely coupled investment portfolio (economic, social, and relational) for building systemic sensibility in such a way as to be dis/aggregated for different audiences. The week’s work culminated in a plan for “Looking Ahead,” which outlines the intentions of the SRT to continue its activities in support of Systems Literacy in the upcoming months. An example of this continued work is a workshop, “Toward Systems Literacy, the Role of Systems Research,” that was conducted at the 60th Meeting of the International Society for the Systems Sciences in Boulder, July 25, 2016

Experimental strategies for microRNA target identification

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important regulators of eukaryotic gene expression in most biological processes. They act by guiding the RNAi-induced silencing complex (RISC) to partially complementary sequences in target mRNAs to suppress gene expression by a combination of translation inhibition and mRNA decay. The commonly accepted mechanism of miRNA targeting in animals involves an interaction between the 5′-end of the miRNA called the ‘seed region’ and the 3′ untranslated region (3′-UTR) of the mRNA. Many target prediction algorithms are based around such a model, though increasing evidence demonstrates that targeting can also be mediated through sites other than the 3′-UTR and that seed region base pairing is not always required. The power and validity of such in silico data can be therefore hindered by the simplified rules used to represent targeting interactions. Experimentation is essential to identify genuine miRNA targets, however many experimental modalities exist and their limitations need to be understood. This review summarizes and critiques the existing experimental techniques for miRNA target identification

Natures Enduring Patterns as a Path to Systems Literacy

Background and Year in Review Overview This conference marks the end of my time as president of ISSS.  It has been a busy and interesting year. Time to review and look forward. Unfortunately, I was unable to be at the 2018 annual meeting at the beginning of my year as president as I had a minor stroke. However as fall began I recovered well and launched into my time as president with energy and enthusiasm. I began to implement a plan to explore Systems Literacy with ISSS members, to explore contributions of the ISSS Special Integration Groups (SIGs) by holding weekly video conferences online, applying digital technologies and to exploring the purpose and practices of the Society. Connections with ISSS PartnersTurning to the organization of ISSS I will review the year and the actions I have taken on behalf of the organization. We renewed and reinforced our relationship with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and attended the Annual meeting in Washington DC in February 2019.I will report on our connections with International Council for Systems Engineering (INCOSE) and the several presentations ISSS members made at INCOSE in California in January 2019. ISSS Members Management, Communications, Organization Development and Members WebsiteImplementation of a membership management system and website called myisss.org will be described. The SIG Sessions on Saturday have produced many new initiatives. By creating a program of meetings every Saturday online on a video conferencing system bluejeans we have begun to develop resources and understanding about each of the SIGs. The presentation will review the many surveys of members that have been completed including on the vision for system science, a request for suggestions for five-year action ideas for this society, opinions about annual conference location and developing models of relation between the SIGs and the relevance to ISSS society mission and purpose. As a result of my stroke I began to explore natural patterns and pathologies concerned with the role of the brain in human experience. I will explore these biological models and their relevance for organizations. and touch on developments and personal experience in brain training. Member education and learning through Saturday SIG SessionsI was curious to learn more about the nature and happenings of the Special Integration Groups and I developed a plan to showcase each SIG. Each Saturday morning and sometimes later in the evening to reach members in India, Australia and New Zealand. Over 74 members at one time or another joined the video conversation with a core group of about 20 participating every week. Each SIG Chair was offered the opportunity to summarize the activities of the SIG. A different SIG was featured each week. Recordings of the sessions are viewable by members at myisss.org This Years Conference ThemeTurning to the theme of the conference natures enduring patterns as a path to system literacy I will outline the work to date on systems literacy and identify the opportunities to develop systems literacy in the future. Finally the presentation will give an outline of the conference in Corvallis in 2019 and introduce our plenary speakers and their relationship to systems approaches, natures enduring patterns, the ocean and to science education, and to the intent of this 2019 meeting to further develop approaches to systems literacy. I will also outline the hopes for the one hour workshop plenary session each day at the end of the morning and introduce the work of William Smith PhD who will assist me with these collaborative sessions to explore the relation between ISSS and Systems Literacy.           Next steps towards Systems LiteracyReflecting on my journey though life with an awareness of cybernetics and systems ideas I will encourage the continued co-development and research in both areas of inquiry and coordination between ISSS and the American Society for Cybernetics, INCOSE, IFSR, AAAS and Systems Dynamics Society.