Children are a key audience for educational efforts on mosquito repellents and disease prevention, as they are particularly vulnerable to illnesses like dengue, malaria, and Zika. Engaging with them early helps establish lifelong habits that protect them from these diseases. Teaching kids about the risks of using harmful repellents and promoting safer, natural alternatives enables them to make smart, health-conscious decisions. This approach not only fosters personal responsibility but also creates a more informed generation actively working to prevent mosquito-borne diseases, ultimately leading to healthier communities.

We conducted a workshop in Hualien, an area known for its high mosquito population, to educate kindergarteners about the dangers of mosquitoes and guide them in creating their own repellent product. This workshop raised community awareness about mosquito-borne diseases and prevention and provided valuable insights into the preferences and challenges adolescents face with repellent products. This was our second educational event with a kindergarten class. We also used a puppet show to illustrate how to apply repellent, wear protective clothing, and avoid mosquito-prone areas, making the learning experience both entertaining and educational.

In an interactive session with kindergarten students, we combined education and entrepreneurship by teaching them how to make a natural insect repellent using fresh mint leaves, water, and essential oil. The goal was to educate the kids about the problems with current mosquito repellents and introduce them to a natural alternative. To capture their interest, we told a story about mosquitoes, emphasizing the importance of using repellents, especially when playing outside in the summer. In the story, a character expressed dissatisfaction with the scent of current insect repellents, explaining why they don’t like using them. We further explained that the stickiness and unpleasant smell are common reasons people avoid using these products.

To reinforce their understanding, we held a question-and-answer game with candies as prizes, ensuring the kids grasped the problems with current repellents and the consequences of not using them, such as mosquito bites. During the workshop, the children created their own insect repellent that addressed these issues. They chose from four different essential oil scents to ensure their repellent had a fragrance they liked. The kids enjoyed making their own chemical-free repellent. However, we observed that they struggled with the spray nozzle, highlighting the need to design our product to be more inclusive and user-friendly.

Teenagers are a key audience for our education initiatives. We've identified a significant gap in public understanding of the dangers posed by mosquitoes, and we want to bridge that gap by expanding awareness of our project. Teenagers, in particular, are at an age where they have the potential to drive change in the future. By equipping them with knowledge about BOROHMA and mosquito-borne diseases, we aim to inspire them to become strong advocates for public health, not just for themselves but for their communities as well.

Our educational efforts go beyond just focusing on STEM subjects. While scientific understanding is crucial, we emphasize a holistic approach that includes health awareness, disease prevention, and the importance of public health. We focus on the societal implications of disease outbreaks, the role of public health systems, and the importance of personal responsibility in preventing the spread of disease. By engaging teenagers now, we hope to empower the next generation to make informed decisions and contribute to mitigating these threats. Whether that’s through advocating for better mosquito control measures, participating in health campaigns or even persuing careers in science, healthcare, or enviornmental protection. These teenagers have the potential to lead change in the future, and by involving them in our education initiatives, we hope to spark a long-term interest in public health and disease prevention.

For those living in pest-prone areas, our primary focus is to educate on the serious impact of mosquitoes and other pests. This is not limited to Taiwan but applies globally, as pests spread dangerous diseases like Dengue fever and malaria. It’s vital that people in these regions understand the risks and learn how to protect themselves. Our goal is to provide comprehensive information about insect-borne diseases and effective prevention strategies. Prevention is crucial to reducing the threat of pests, and we want to reassure people that modern insect repellents are safe and comfortable to use, with minimal risks of allergies or unpleasant scents. Through education, we aim to empower communities to take control of their health and live free from the dangers pests bring.

We have created multiple Instagram posts to educate people about our products and related topics through social media. We began by discussing the hardware of our product and how our wet lab designed it with inclusivity in mind, addressing concerns about camphor or borneol potentially triggering G6PD deficiency symptoms. Borneol, a key compound in Borohma, is not well-known today, so we focused on educating our audience about its uses and history, helping teenagers and other users gain a deeper understanding of this organic compound.

Next, we posted about mosquitoes, highlighting their status as one of the deadliest animals, responsible for over one million deaths each year due to diseases like Dengue fever, which is particularly dangerous in regions like Taiwan. By raising awareness about mosquitoes and Dengue fever, we hope to encourage preventive measures among our followers.

We also discussed mosquito repellents, explaining how they work by preventing mosquitoes from detecting carbon dioxide and the "smell" of human skin when searching for a blood meal. We addressed concerns about DEET, a common ingredient in repellents, which can cause allergic reactions.

Finally, we posted about fragrances, noting that one common issue with current mosquito repellents is their unpleasant scent. We educated our audience about fragrance composition, including top, middle, and base notes, and discussed common ingredients found in perfumes and the process of making a fragrance.

Through these posts, we aim to provide valuable knowledge across various topics, all related to our final product, while educating teenagers and other users on a wide range of subjects.