Education | HongKong-JSS

HongKong-JSS is a collaborative team formed by five secondary schools from different regions across Hong Kong. Over the past nine months, we have effectively utilized our professional expertise, resources, and regional strengths to develop and implement a range of educational activities. In total, we organized 19 distinct events, engaging approximately 3,780 participants. Our initiatives included collaboration with another iGEM team and facilitating three media interviews and one publication, further enhancing our outreach and impact in the community.

Our goal in iGEM education has always been to involve a larger and more diverse group of individuals in the exciting development of synthetic biology. We firmly believe that even primary school and junior secondary school students can be effectively educated about synthetic biology concepts and encouraged to pursue further studies in this fascinating field.

The objectives of our education programs were as follows:

To introduce synthetic biology and iGEM competition to more audience, particularly targeting junior students and the general public who may not have previously encountered these concepts.
To increase their curiosity and interest to not only about synthetic biology, but also about the implications of heavy metals in our environment and how they relate to this field.
To provide them with critical information about the application of GMOs and the latest news on heavy metal contamination so that they may make informed decisions regarding these issues.

Our educational activities can be categorized into three main areas: "Education," "Promotion," and "Collaboration." Our target audiences primarily include four groups: the general public, media representatives, local school students, and other iGEM teams. In addition to organizing events, we also focus on creating promotional materials that can be used beyond the duration of the activities.

Figure 1: An overview of how we categorized education activities.

We have actively made every effort to increase public understanding regarding both synthetic biology and the pressing issue of heavy metal pollution in Hong Kong. In order to inform these individuals about the important work our team, HongKong-JSS, is diligently pursuing, we also took the initiative to advertise our innovative iGEM project. We sincerely appreciate all their valuable comments and thoughtful replies, as they play a crucial role in fostering a two-way constructive dialogue around these critical topics. They also gave us inspiration on how to improve our work!

Education activities

iGEM information section

Organizer: PLK Celine Ho Yam Tong College
Date: 24/2/2024
Audience (number): 50 high school (grade 7-9) students
Details:
We organized an information session for high school students from the five schools involved with the HongKong-JSS team. During this session, we introduced the concept of synthetic biology, explained what iGEM is, and outlined what participants can expect to learn and contribute. This session aimed to help all students gain a better understanding of iGEM, enabling them to make informed decisions about whether to join the program.

Open day iGEM promotion

Organizer: YOT Tin Ka Ping Secondary School
Date: 15/3/2024
Audience (number): 500 public visitors
Details:
We organized a promotional activity during the school open day, where we designed a mini-game focused on biotechnology and iGEM. This engaging activity aimed to spark visitors' interest in the benefits of genetic modification in daily life and encourage a positive attitude toward the use of GMOs. We also designed souvenirs for the visitors, so that they can remember this event.

Publication – iGEM in Hong Kong

Organizer: HongKong-JSS and BTEA
Date: April 2024
Audience: Local schools
Details:
We published an article with the Biotechnology Education Association (BTEA) highlighting the iGEM high school teams in Hong Kong. Our local iGEM community is vibrant and supportive, fostering collaboration among teams. In April, we featured several 2023 iGEM projects in an 8 pages article distributed to all local schools. Our goal is to ignite interest in iGEM among more schools, helping us build a larger and stronger community.

Biotech Club

Organizer: YOT Tin Ka Ping Secondary School
Date: March to May 2024
Audience: 120 students
Details:
We’re thrilled to launch the Biotech Club at our school for students interested in biotechnology and molecular biology. Guided by our teachers, members will engage in hands-on lab sessions with techniques like PCR and gel electrophoresis, while also mentoring junior students. This club provides a fantastic opportunity to explore biotech and develop essential skills in a collaborative environment.

iGEM Training Workshops

Organizer: YOT Tin Ka Ping Secondary School
Date: 15/4/2024, 22/4/2024 and 29/4/2024
Audience (number): 90 students (30 per workshop)
Details:
We organized three iGEM training workshops for 90 local high school students. In these workshops, students practiced essential molecular biology techniques, including restriction enzyme digestion, PCR, recombinant DNA technology, gel electrophoresis, transformation, and bacterial culture. This experience not only broadened their understanding of synthetic biology but also prepared them for the iGEM competition, or even future careers in the molecular research field. The laboratory protocol produced for the training workshop is now adopted by there local high school as teaching material too.

iGEM promotion in STEM Exhibition

Organizer: Madam Lau Kam Lung Secondary School of MFBM
Date: 11/5/2024
Audience (number): 300 kindergarten, primary school students and their parents
Details:
We participated in a STEM exhibition, setting up a booth to showcase our iGEM project. During the event, we engaged with over 300 kindergartners, primary school students and their parents. Through interactive displays, we shared the fundamentals of synthetic biology and the importance of the iGEM competition. Our team encouraged questions and discussions, fostering a sense of curiosity and excitement about science and innovation among the young attendees. This event provided a fantastic platform to inspire the next generation of scientists and thinkers.

Bacteria culture workshop

Organizer: Stewards MKMCF Ma Ko Pan Memorial College
Date: 14/5/2024
Audience (number): 30 students (grade 9)
Details:
In this workshop, we taught 30 Grade 9 students about the concept of synthetic biology. We introduced our project, which involves using genetically modified (GM) E. coli to detect heavy metal pollution in food, water, and the environment. We emphasized that E. coli, a commonly used model organism in genetic engineering, is not something to fear, as it naturally exists in our surroundings. Using 3M coliform Petrifilm count plates, participants had the opportunity to collect samples from sources such as fish tanks or their own hands to test for E. coli, and they discovered quite a lot of it. We hope this experience helps to reduce their apprehension about GMOs.

Street counters promotion

Organizer: PLK Celine Ho Yam Tong College and Pentecostal School
Date: 18/5/2024 and 21/9/2024
Audience (number): 300 citizens
Details:
During our human practice, we organized two rounds of public surveys. In addition to gathering opinions on our project, we took the opportunity to educate the public about GMOs, synthetic biology, and the iGEM competition. The public showed great interest and was generally accepting of the use of GMOs in daily life, viewing it as a beneficial new technology that is an unstoppable trend. However, they also highlighted the importance of monitoring closely to prevent any potential misuse.

DNA extraction and slide preparation workshop (for junior students)

Organizer: Pentecostal School
Date: 23/5/2024
Audience: 30 students
Details:
Pentecostal School organized a DNA extraction and slide preparation workshop for junior students. In this workshop, students participated in one traditional experiment and one modern experiment. We also taught them about the evolution of biology, highlighting its transition from a descriptive subject to the field of synthetic biology.

iGEM collaboration workshop

Organizer: YOT Tin Ka Ping Secondary School
Date: 30/5/2024
Audience (number): 10 members from iGEM team: PLKLFC
Details:
Our team’s Principal Investigator, Mr. Paul Lau, was invited by the iGEM team PLKLFC to serve as their External Advisor. Mr. Lau facilitated numerous intellectual exchanges between the two teams, fostering a collaborative learning environment. We also organized a workshop for the student members of team PLKLFC, where we taught them how to design recombinant DNA, explore cloning techniques, and troubleshoot potential issues that may arise during the process.

iGEM and synthetic biology promotion counters

Organizer: YOT Tin Ka Ping Secondary School
Date: April to June 2024
Audience (number): 700 students
Details:
From April to June, YOT Tin Ka Ping Secondary School organized several rounds of in-school promotional activities to highlight our project and synthetic bacteria. We set up counters during recess and after school, inviting fellow students to visit and engage with us. In addition to learning, they participated in fun activities like DNA extraction, agar art, and bacterial culture. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with many students eager to visit our counter.

Student interviewed by newspaper (Wen Wei Po)

Organizer: YOT Tin Ka Ping Secondary School
Date: 11/3/2024
Audience: Local and overseas readers
Details:
Local newspaper Wen Wei Po invited the HongKong-JSS team for an interview, during which we discussed how iGEM can support STEM education and enhance students' scientific skills and confidence. Wen Wei Po has a daily distribution of 400,000 copies locally and an online version that reaches overseas readers.

Student interviewed by TV broadcaster (TVB)

Organizer: PLK Celine Ho Yam Tong College
Date: 26/6/2024
Audience: Local and overseas viewer
Details:
In June, team HongKong-JSS was interviewed by TVB, one of the world’s largest producers of Chinese program. During the interview, we shared our thoughts and experiences with the iGEM competition, aiming to promote synthetic biology and its significance to the public.
We also want to reduce public fear surrounding genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and to promote iGEM to more students and schools. We hope that by raising awareness, we can inspire future generations to engage with synthetic biology and its potential benefits.

High school (grade 7) education workshop

Organizer: Madam Lau Kam Lung Secondary School of MFBM
Date: 26/8/2024
Audience: 120 grade 7 students
Details:
We organized an educational workshop for junior secondary school students to improve their understanding of synthetic biology and the urgent issue of heavy metal contamination. A key highlight was our clear explanation of synthetic biology, which we broke down into relatable terms and real-world scenarios that students might encounter in their daily lives. Additionally, we facilitated discussions on the critical problem of heavy metal contamination in Hong Kong, drawing on recent news reports that highlight the detrimental effects of these pollutants on health and the environment.
We also made a Blooket Quiz and ”Metal Snake!” mini game for interacting with the audiences during the event.

Primary school (grade 5-6) introductory biotech workshop

Organizer: Madam Lau Kam Lung Secondary School of MFBM
Date: 12/9/2024
Audience: 30 grade 5-6 students
Details:
We invited 30 Grade 5-6 students from a local primary school to our introductory biotechnology workshop. In this session, we explained that biotechnology combines biology and engineering, using everyday examples such as genetically modified (GM) soybeans and cotton to illustrate how this technology benefits human life. The students also had the opportunity to extract DNA from strawberries, giving them a hands-on glimpse into the world of molecular biology. At the conclusion of the event, we will distribute a storybook tailored for fifth and sixth-grade students that highlights our project.

School Broadcasting Promotion

Organizer: PLK Celine Ho Yam Tong College
Date: 31/5/2024 and 13/9/2024
Audience: 1800 students and teachers (900 each broadcast)
Details:
In May and September, we organized two rounds of school broadcasts targeting students and teachers. During these sessions, we promoted our project by discussing the sources and potential harmful effects of heavy metals. We also highlighted our innovative approach, which combines biological systems with AI vision and IoT technology to create an automated biosensor for detecting heavy metals.
The response was enthusiastic, with many inquiries from both teachers and students following the broadcasts. We believe our efforts to promote iGEM and synthetic biology were successful.

Product for promotion or education

iGEM in Hong Kong article

We wrote an eight-page article about iGEM in Hong Kong high schools, showcasing several local teams while introducing the competition to other schools. This article was distributed to all high schools in Hong Kong.

The pdf file of this article can be downloaded here: iGEM in Hong Kong article

Figure 2: We published an article with BTEA to promote iGEM to all local high school.

Biotech Lab Teaching Materials

To facilitate the iGEM training workshop, we created a molecular laboratory handbook for participants. Beyond its application in iGEM-related wet lab activities, this handbook has now been adopted by three local high schools as teaching material. This illustrates how products developed through iGEM can promote biotechnology beyond the competition.

Figure 3: We produced a handbook for iGEM training, end up adopted by three local schools as teaching material.

Blooket Quiz Game

In addition to these education activities, we created an interactive Blooket Quiz game designed to reinforce the knowledge students gained. In this game, participants were challenged to respond correctly to questions related to our presentations, which allowed them to gauge their comprehension of the topic. Importantly, we emphasized that not finding the correct answer should not discourage them; rather, the game's objective is to foster a sense of resilience and a desire to learn more about heavy metals and their implications.

Figure 4: Photo of students actively participating in our Blooklet Quiz Game

Scratch Game - “Metal Snake”

Furthermore, we developed a Scratch game - "Metal Snake", inspired by the classic snake game. In this game, students were tasked with identifying various substances that are classified as heavy metals. They then dragged an "E. coli" character to these heavy metals, illustrating how the bacteria would multiply in response to their identification. This not only made learning fun but also provided a practical application of their knowledge.

Figure 5: Overview of the scratch game we developed and used in the "High school (grade 7) education workshop".

Board Game - Metal Quest!

Broad game can promote learning especially in junior students. Not joking it is real! (read this) . As a result, our group has also created a simple yet engaging board game - called “Metal Quest!” that everyone can easily use to learn more about the contamination of heavy metals and explore possible solutions. To help players understand the issue better, we additionally introduce them to different kinds of heavy metal contamination that can occur in various environments throughout the game. With this educational game, we firmly believe that players will not only be able to make informed decisions but also develop their own perspectives on the complex subject of heavy metals and their impact on health and the environment. We strongly believe that playing games about various topics is a very effective method to foster a deeper understanding and awareness of these issues.

We are currently preparing sample copies to send to several local schools for testing. After addressing any feedback, we plan to move forward with larger-scale production.

Figure 6(a): Our board game design - Metal Quest!

Figure 6(b): Some of the scenario cards

HOW TO PLAY:

Number of players: 4

Instructions:

1. Place scenario cards on the board

2. Each player throws a dice to decide how many actions they can earn

3. For each action, a player can take any card (scenario cards or tool card)

4. The player must use to the tool card to answer the scenario card in order to gain points (the number of point you get is equal to the number of stars on each card)

5. New cards will be drawn and randomly placed in empty spaces.

6. The player who gets 15 points first wins!

Points to note:

1. Each player can only pick up a designated number of cards, i.e. the number they get after throwing the dice

2. Each tool card can be used to solve a scenario, e.g. "water purifier" can solve "water contamination"

3. A player can only get the amount of points as shown on the card

4. If a player throws the dice and decides to not use all of the cards, he/she can keep the unused cards for upcoming rounds. However, they can keep maximum 10 unused cards

5. The “ALL PURPOSE” tool card can substitute all tools.

Storybook for Primary School Students

As readers delve deeper into the storybook, they will uncover information about the prevalence of heavy metal contamination across various regions of Hong Kong, along with the challenges faced by citizens in detecting these harmful substances due to the prohibitive costs associated with current detection technologies. Ultimately, the book culminates in an overview of the innovative work being undertaken by the HKJSS team, which aspires to develop a cost-effective, user-friendly heavy metal detector. This device aims to empower local communities by providing timely alerts and warnings when they are in areas with significant levels of heavy metals, thus promoting health and safety.

Figure 7(a): Cover of our storybook for primary school students

Figure 7(b): A page of our storybook (1)

Figure 7(c): A page of our storybook (2)

Promotion Products

To further engage participants, we designed a variety of promotion products, such as memo pads, stickers, a poster, a board game, and an illustrated storybook. The stickers featured themes connected to this year's HKJSS iGEM project, with examples like Chinese herbs, canned sardines, and tap water, all of which are commonly associated with heavy metal contamination. Additionally, we illustrated the targeted heavy metals to emphasize our research focus, including portraits of damaged kidneys, lungs, and the effects of heavy metal exposure on cognitive function.

Figure 8: Souvenirs designed by our team for education