Abstract for: The Changing Language of Education with System Thinking
International assessment results show that Turkey is struggling with higher order thinking skills. However, such skills are not inborn characteristics but a learned ability. This problem could be seen as an opportunity for development. Systems Thinking Association is working for the infusion of Systems Thinking (ST) approach by incorporating ST into the curriculum in schools and faculties of education. The project has started with twelve science and math teachers at Darüşşafaka Schools which is Turkey’s first non-governmental educational organization that provides quality education to underprivileged students whose mothers/fathers are deceased. The teachers are trained for 8 weeks, from August 20th, 2020 to October 8th, 2020. The lesson plans were prepared and implemented for 6th, 7th and 8th grade Science and Math curriculum. Pretest-posttest as well as several summative assessment tools were used for the study. The project prepared based on this study was selected by The Sustainable Development Goals Accelerator Lab under the United Nations Development Programme Turkey Office within the context of Social Innovation Support Program as one of the 10 projects to be supported. With UNDP support we are planning to collaborate with two institutions: first Faculties of Educations, next Ministry of National Education.