Abstract for: Systems Thinker Circles: how systems thinking fosters social emotional learning and positive youth development through service learning

Elementary-age students are largely absent from SD modeling processes, not because evidence suggests they lack capability, but because little to no developmental framework or curriculum exists to include them. This presentation describes the Systems Thinker Circle, a service learning curriculum delivered within an SD framework for K-5 students, piloted across two cohorts at a public charter school in St. Louis, Missouri. The STC draws on community-based system dynamics, positive youth development, and service learning pedagogy. Students use SD tools (behavior over time graphs, variable elicitation, the iceberg model, and causal loop diagrams) within a participatory modeling process to investigate real school community problems and design interventions. The curriculum was co-designed with Washington University's Social System Design Lab. Two cohorts without prior ST/SD exposure (five 1st/2nd graders and six 5th graders) successfully engaged in genuine participatory modeling. Students produced causal loop diagrams, conducted stakeholder research, and designed school-level interventions. Pre/post data from an AI-assisted Systems Dynamics Assessment, administered school-wide, will be available by conference time. This curriculum is designed for elementary educators, school social workers, and youth program facilitators - particularly those working at the intersection of SEL and academic content. A similar approach could be adopted in middle school, community-based youth programs, or any setting where service learning and SD tools could be meaningfully integrated. Facilitator profile and training are key replication considerations. developing the SD Assessment; organizing this submission through questioning author