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‘Why?’ and ‘So What’ Tree

Exploring the complex web of causes and consequences.

Why? and So What?

The “Why” and “So What” tree allows you to explore the many interconnected causes and consequences of� a problem. Steps:

State the problem that you want to investigate.
Brainstorm consequences: Start by asking ‘So What?”. After each response, again ask “So What” to follow the chain of consequences.
Explore the causes: Start by asking “Why?”. Keep asking “Why?” after each response to dig down to the root causes. See how deep you can go!

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Organizer

Sticky Notes: Write your responses in the ‘sticky notes’ on the sides of the slide.

(Free-Form) Enter text and drag the boxes onto the tree. Click and move the tip of the pointer on the box to make connections between sticky notes. �Tip: Color code to highlight connections.

(Fixed) Enter text in the boxes on the right. Drag onto the appropriate place on the tree. �

Note: The Free-form and Fixed stickies are different.

“Why?” and “So What?”

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Directions

Problem: [INSERT PROBLEM STATEMENT]

Select one person to be the scribe who will write on the slide
Write the “problem” in the space provided.
Consequences: Look at the problem. As a group:

Ask “So what?”. Enter your group’s response in a sticky note and place on the tree.
Look at your response you just wrote and again ask “So what (about that response)?”. Remember - you’re looking for a consequence of the response you just gave.
When you’ve entered a chain of consequences based on your initial response, go back to the problem (or an earlier response) and again start asking “So what”. Build a new chain of consequences based on this next response.
Each entry should be a single idea.

Causes: Repeat this process to find the web of causes of the problem by repeatedly �asking “Why?”.
Show the connections between your answers using the pointer on the box (click on the yellow dot on the tip and drag) . Optional: Color-code connected responses.
When you finish the tree, discuss the lesson prompt.

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How It Works

Cause & Consequence

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Action Example�Nutrition

How can we address basic �needs in our community?

Poor Nutrition in the�Our Community

Fewer job options

Poor grades

Decreased learning ability

Shorter life span

Obesity

Poor health

poverty

Few good grocery stores

Lack jobs

Poor school lunches

No training programs

Limited access to quality food

Profit motive

Can’t afford quality food

Min. Wage

Profit motive

Limited Menus

Low cultural awareness

Poor self image

Eating Disorders

Step 1: So What?

Consequences / Symptoms

Consider the consequence of your problem.
Write one consequence on a sticky note, and drag to a branch.
As a team, ask and discuss “So What?”, and add that answer to another sticky and drag it further out on the same branch.
Continue, and try to fill 2-3 branches.
Note that branches represent a complex web of interrelated consequences

Step 2: Why?

Root Causes

Consider the IMMEDIATE causes of the problem
Write one cause on a sticky note, and drag to a root stem.
As a team, ask and discuss ”WHY” that cause occurred, and add that answer to another sticky and drag it further down the same root stem.
Continue, noting where causes diverge and converge.
Note that the roots represent a complex web of interrelated causes

Dominant narrative & culture prevail

Lack of nutrition education

Poor public info

Standards-driven curriculum

No school courses

Why? - Causes �in the roots

So What? - Consequences�in the branches

Integrated Action Civics Project�iacp@berkeley.edu --- bit.ly/iacp-site

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Content Example�SNCC Organizing

Lack of Black Political Power in the 50’s

Unit Inquiry: How did the movements of the 60’s �empower communities of color?

Fewer job options

Low political participation

Poor Education

Poverty

No Civil Rights

Voter Suppression

No economic power

Voter Laws

White Terror

Jim Crow Laws & White Supremacy

Legacy of slavery

Step 1: So What?

Consequences / Symptoms

Consider the consequence of your problem.
Write one consequence on a sticky note, and drag to a branch.
As a team, ask and discuss “So What?”, and add that answer to another sticky and drag it onto the same branch.
Continue, and try to fill 2-3 branches.

Step 2: Why?

Root Causes

Consider the IMMEDIATE causes of the problem
Write one cause on a sticky note, and drag to a root stem.
As a team, ask and discuss ”WHY” that cause occurred, and add that answer to another sticky and drag it onto the same root stem.
Continue, noting where causes diverge and converge.

Disfranchised

Lack of

awareness

Disempowered

Poor living conditions

Health issues

Low voter Registration

No faith in the system

New Deal excluded Blacks

Few legal protections

Segregation

Unequal access to institutions & resources

Little interracial social interactions

“Otherizing”

Continued poverty

COURSE CONTENT

Civil Rights Mvt.

Low access to quality education

Why? - Causes �in the roots

So What? - Consequences�in the branches

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Demo

How can we improve nutrition �in our community?

Our school lunches are poor quality �and not appetizing

Step 1: So What?

Consequences / Symptoms

Consider the consequence of your problem.
Write one consequence on a sticky note, and drag to a branch.
As a team, ask and discuss “So What?”, and add that answer to another sticky and drag it onto the same branch.
Continue, and try to fill 2-3 branches.

Step 2: Why?

Root Causes

Consider the IMMEDIATE causes of the problem
Write one cause on a sticky note, and drag to a root stem.
As a team, ask and discuss ”WHY” that cause occurred, and add that answer to another sticky and drag it onto the same root stem.
Continue, noting where causes diverge and converge.

Directions Slide

Consequences - “So What?”

Causes - “Why?”

Why? - Causes �in the roots

So What? - Consequences�in the branches

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Breakout Groups

Click your “breakout Group number” to go to your interactive slide

Group 1	Group 2	Group 3	Group 4
Group 5	Group 6	Group 7	Group 8
Group 9	Group 10	Group 11	Group 12
Group 13	Group 14	Group 15	Group 16

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Template �Fixed - 9 Boxes

(Problem Statement)

(Unit or Lesson Question)

Step 1: So What?

Consequences / Symptoms

Consider the consequence of your problem.
Write one consequence on a sticky note, and drag to a branch.
As a team, ask and discuss “So What?”, and add that answer to another sticky and drag it further out on the same branch.
Continue, try to fill 2-3 branches.
Note that branches represent a complex web of interrelated consequences. → Color code connected consequences

Step 2: Why?

Root Causes

Consider the IMMEDIATE causes of the problem
Write one cause on a sticky note, and drag to a root stem.
As a team, ask and discuss ”WHY” that cause occurred, and add that answer to another sticky and drag it further down the same root stem.
Continue, noting where causes diverge and converge.
Note that the roots represent a complex web of interrelated causes. → Color code connected consequences

Consequences�“So What?”

Causes�“Why?”

Why? - Causes �in the roots

So What? - Consequences�in the branches

Integrated Action Civics Project�iacp@berkeley.edu --- bit.ly/iacp-site

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Group 1

(Unit or Lesson Question)

(Problem Statement)

Step 1: So What?

Consequences / Symptoms

Consider the consequence of your problem.
Write one consequence on a sticky note, and drag to a branch.
As a team, ask and discuss “So What?”, and add that answer to another sticky and drag it onto the same branch.
Continue, and try to fill 2-3 branches.

Step 2: Why?

Root Causes

Consider the IMMEDIATE causes of the problem
Write one cause on a sticky note, and drag to a root stem.
As a team, ask and discuss ”WHY” that cause occurred, and add that answer to another sticky and drag it onto the same root stem.
Continue, noting where causes diverge and converge.

Consequences - “So What?”

Causes - “Why?”

Why? - Causes �in the roots

So What? - Consequences�in the branches

Integrated Action Civics Project�iacp@berkeley.edu --- bit.ly/iacp-site

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Group 2

(Unit or Lesson Question)

(Problem Statement)

Directions Slide

Step 1: So What?

Consequences / Symptoms

Consider the consequence of your problem.
Write one consequence on a sticky note, and drag to a branch.
As a team, ask and discuss “So What?”, and add that answer to another sticky and drag it onto the same branch.
Continue, and try to fill 2-3 branches.

Step 2: Why?

Root Causes

Consider the IMMEDIATE causes of the problem
Write one cause on a sticky note, and drag to a root stem.
As a team, ask and discuss ”WHY” that cause occurred, and add that answer to another sticky and drag it onto the same root stem.
Continue, noting where causes diverge and converge.

Consequences - “So What?”

Causes - “Why?”

Why? - Causes �in the roots

So What? - Consequences�in the branches

Integrated Action Civics Project�iacp@berkeley.edu --- bit.ly/iacp-site

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Group 3

(Problem Statement)

(Unit or Lesson Question)

Step 1: So What?

Consequences / Symptoms

Consider the consequence of your problem.
Write one consequence on a sticky note, and drag to a branch.
As a team, ask and discuss “So What?”, and add that answer to another sticky and drag it onto the same branch.
Continue, and try to fill 2-3 branches.

Step 2: Why?

Root Causes

Consider the IMMEDIATE causes of the problem
Write one cause on a sticky note, and drag to a root stem.
As a team, ask and discuss ”WHY” that cause occurred, and add that answer to another sticky and drag it onto the same root stem.
Continue, noting where causes diverge and converge.

Directions Slide

Consequences - “So What?”

Causes - “Why?”

Why? - Causes �in the roots

So What? - Consequences�in the branches

Integrated Action Civics Project�iacp@berkeley.edu --- bit.ly/iacp-site

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Group 4

(Problem Statement)

(Unit or Lesson Question)

Step 1: So What?

Consequences / Symptoms

Consider the consequence of your problem.
Write one consequence on a sticky note, and drag to a branch.
As a team, ask and discuss “So What?”, and add that answer to another sticky and drag it onto the same branch.
Continue, and try to fill 2-3 branches.

Step 2: Why?

Root Causes

Consider the IMMEDIATE causes of the problem
Write one cause on a sticky note, and drag to a root stem.
As a team, ask and discuss ”WHY” that cause occurred, and add that answer to another sticky and drag it onto the same root stem.
Continue, noting where causes diverge and converge.

Directions Slide

Consequences - “So What?”

Causes - “Why?”

Why? - Causes �in the roots

So What? - Consequences�in the branches

Integrated Action Civics Project�iacp@berkeley.edu --- bit.ly/iacp-site

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Group 5

(Unit or Lesson Question)

(Problem Statement)

Step 1: So What?

Consequences / Symptoms

Consider the consequence of your problem.
Write one consequence on a sticky note, and drag to a branch.
As a team, ask and discuss “So What?”, and add that answer to another sticky and drag it onto the same branch.
Continue, and try to fill 2-3 branches.

Step 2: Why?

Root Causes

Consider the IMMEDIATE causes of the problem
Write one cause on a sticky note, and drag to a root stem.
As a team, ask and discuss ”WHY” that cause occurred, and add that answer to another sticky and drag it onto the same root stem.
Continue, noting where causes diverge and converge.

Consequences - “So What?”

Causes - “Why?”

Why? - Causes �in the roots

So What? - Consequences�in the branches

Integrated Action Civics Project�iacp@berkeley.edu --- bit.ly/iacp-site

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Group 6

(Unit or Lesson Question)

(Problem Statement)

Step 1: So What?

Consequences / Symptoms

Consider the consequence of your problem.
Write one consequence on a sticky note, and drag to a branch.
As a team, ask and discuss “So What?”, and add that answer to another sticky and drag it onto the same branch.
Continue, and try to fill 2-3 branches.

Step 2: Why?

Root Causes

Consider the IMMEDIATE causes of the problem
Write one cause on a sticky note, and drag to a root stem.
As a team, ask and discuss ”WHY” that cause occurred, and add that answer to another sticky and drag it onto the same root stem.
Continue, noting where causes diverge and converge.

Directions Slide

Consequences - “So What?”

Causes - “Why?”

Why? - Causes �in the roots

So What? - Consequences�in the branches

Integrated Action Civics Project�iacp@berkeley.edu --- bit.ly/iacp-site

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Group 7

(Unit or Lesson Question)

(Problem Statement)

Step 1: So What?

Consequences / Symptoms

Consider the consequence of your problem.
Write one consequence on a sticky note, and drag to a branch.
As a team, ask and discuss “So What?”, and add that answer to another sticky and drag it onto the same branch.
Continue, and try to fill 2-3 branches.

Step 2: Why?

Root Causes

Consider the IMMEDIATE causes of the problem
Write one cause on a sticky note, and drag to a root stem.
As a team, ask and discuss ”WHY” that cause occurred, and add that answer to another sticky and drag it onto the same root stem.
Continue, noting where causes diverge and converge.

Consequences - “So What?”

Causes - “Why?”

Why? - Causes �in the roots

So What? - Consequences�in the branches

Integrated Action Civics Project�iacp@berkeley.edu --- bit.ly/iacp-site

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Group 8

(Unit or Lesson Question)

(Problem Statement)

Step 1: So What?

Consequences / Symptoms

Consider the consequence of your problem.
Write one consequence on a sticky note, and drag to a branch.
As a team, ask and discuss “So What?”, and add that answer to another sticky and drag it onto the same branch.
Continue, and try to fill 2-3 branches.

Step 2: Why?

Root Causes

Consider the IMMEDIATE causes of the problem
Write one cause on a sticky note, and drag to a root stem.
As a team, ask and discuss ”WHY” that cause occurred, and add that answer to another sticky and drag it onto the same root stem.
Continue, noting where causes diverge and converge.

Directions Slide

Consequences - “So What?”

Causes - “Why?”

Why? - Causes �in the roots

So What? - Consequences�in the branches

Integrated Action Civics Project�iacp@berkeley.edu --- bit.ly/iacp-site

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Group 9

(Problem Statement)

(Unit or Lesson Question)

Step 1: So What?

Consequences / Symptoms

Consider the consequence of your problem.
Write one consequence on a sticky note, and drag to a branch.
As a team, ask and discuss “So What?”, and add that answer to another sticky and drag it onto the same branch.
Continue, and try to fill 2-3 branches.

Step 2: Why?

Root Causes

Consider the IMMEDIATE causes of the problem
Write one cause on a sticky note, and drag to a root stem.
As a team, ask and discuss ”WHY” that cause occurred, and add that answer to another sticky and drag it onto the same root stem.
Continue, noting where causes diverge and converge.

Directions Slide

Why? - Causes �in the roots

So What? - Consequences�in the branches

Integrated Action Civics Project�iacp@berkeley.edu --- bit.ly/iacp-site

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Group 10

(Problem Statement)

(Unit or Lesson Question)

Step 1: So What?

Consequences / Symptoms

Consider the consequence of your problem.
Write one consequence on a sticky note, and drag to a branch.
As a team, ask and discuss “So What?”, and add that answer to another sticky and drag it onto the same branch.
Continue, and try to fill 2-3 branches.

Step 2: Why?

Root Causes

Consider the IMMEDIATE causes of the problem
Write one cause on a sticky note, and drag to a root stem.
As a team, ask and discuss ”WHY” that cause occurred, and add that answer to another sticky and drag it onto the same root stem.
Continue, noting where causes diverge and converge.

Directions Slide

Why? - Causes �in the roots

So What? - Consequences�in the branches

Integrated Action Civics Project�iacp@berkeley.edu --- bit.ly/iacp-site

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Group 11

(Problem Statement)

(Unit or Lesson Question)

Step 1: So What?

Consequences / Symptoms

Consider the consequence of your problem.
Write one consequence on a sticky note, and drag to a branch.
As a team, ask and discuss “So What?”, and add that answer to another sticky and drag it onto the same branch.
Continue, and try to fill 2-3 branches.

Step 2: Why?

Root Causes

Consider the IMMEDIATE causes of the problem
Write one cause on a sticky note, and drag to a root stem.
As a team, ask and discuss ”WHY” that cause occurred, and add that answer to another sticky and drag it onto the same root stem.
Continue, noting where causes diverge and converge.

Directions Slide

Why? - Causes �in the roots

So What? - Consequences�in the branches

Integrated Action Civics Project�iacp@berkeley.edu --- bit.ly/iacp-site

21 of 25

Group 12

(Problem Statement)

(Unit or Lesson Question)

Step 1: So What?

Consequences / Symptoms

Consider the consequence of your problem.
Write one consequence on a sticky note, and drag to a branch.
As a team, ask and discuss “So What?”, and add that answer to another sticky and drag it onto the same branch.
Continue, and try to fill 2-3 branches.

Step 2: Why?

Root Causes

Consider the IMMEDIATE causes of the problem
Write one cause on a sticky note, and drag to a root stem.
As a team, ask and discuss ”WHY” that cause occurred, and add that answer to another sticky and drag it onto the same root stem.
Continue, noting where causes diverge and converge.

Directions Slide

Why? - Causes �in the roots

So What? - Consequences�in the branches

Integrated Action Civics Project�iacp@berkeley.edu --- bit.ly/iacp-site

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Group 13

(Problem Statement)

(Unit or Lesson Question)

Step 1: So What?

Consequences / Symptoms

Consider the consequence of your problem.
Write one consequence on a sticky note, and drag to a branch.
As a team, ask and discuss “So What?”, and add that answer to another sticky and drag it onto the same branch.
Continue, and try to fill 2-3 branches.

Step 2: Why?

Root Causes

Consider the IMMEDIATE causes of the problem
Write one cause on a sticky note, and drag to a root stem.
As a team, ask and discuss ”WHY” that cause occurred, and add that answer to another sticky and drag it onto the same root stem.
Continue, noting where causes diverge and converge.

Directions Slide

Why? - Causes �in the roots

So What? - Consequences�in the branches

Integrated Action Civics Project�iacp@berkeley.edu --- bit.ly/iacp-site

23 of 25

Group 14

(Problem Statement)

(Unit or Lesson Question)

Step 1: So What?

Consequences / Symptoms

Consider the consequence of your problem.
Write one consequence on a sticky note, and drag to a branch.
As a team, ask and discuss “So What?”, and add that answer to another sticky and drag it onto the same branch.
Continue, and try to fill 2-3 branches.

Step 2: Why?

Root Causes

Consider the IMMEDIATE causes of the problem
Write one cause on a sticky note, and drag to a root stem.
As a team, ask and discuss ”WHY” that cause occurred, and add that answer to another sticky and drag it onto the same root stem.
Continue, noting where causes diverge and converge.

Directions Slide

Why? - Causes �in the roots

So What? - Consequences�in the branches

Integrated Action Civics Project�iacp@berkeley.edu --- bit.ly/iacp-site

24 of 25

Group 15

(Problem Statement)

(Unit or Lesson Question)

Step 1: So What?

Consequences / Symptoms

Consider the consequence of your problem.
Write one consequence on a sticky note, and drag to a branch.
As a team, ask and discuss “So What?”, and add that answer to another sticky and drag it onto the same branch.
Continue, and try to fill 2-3 branches.

Step 2: Why?

Root Causes

Consider the IMMEDIATE causes of the problem
Write one cause on a sticky note, and drag to a root stem.
As a team, ask and discuss ”WHY” that cause occurred, and add that answer to another sticky and drag it onto the same root stem.
Continue, noting where causes diverge and converge.

Directions Slide

Why? - Causes �in the roots

So What? - Consequences�in the branches

Integrated Action Civics Project�iacp@berkeley.edu --- bit.ly/iacp-site

25 of 25

Group 16

(Problem Statement)

(Unit or Lesson Question)

Step 1: So What?

Consequences / Symptoms

Consider the consequence of your problem.
Write one consequence on a sticky note, and drag to a branch.
As a team, ask and discuss “So What?”, and add that answer to another sticky and drag it onto the same branch.
Continue, and try to fill 2-3 branches.

Step 2: Why?

Root Causes

Consider the IMMEDIATE causes of the problem
Write one cause on a sticky note, and drag to a root stem.
As a team, ask and discuss ”WHY” that cause occurred, and add that answer to another sticky and drag it onto the same root stem.
Continue, noting where causes diverge and converge.

Directions Slide

Why? - Causes �in the roots

So What? - Consequences�in the branches

Integrated Action Civics Project�iacp@berkeley.edu --- bit.ly/iacp-site