Overview - Synthetic Biology Popularization Program
Our initiative aims to popularize science, biology, and synthetic biology to a broader audience. We believe that understanding our project can have a profound impact on people of all ages. To achieve this, we have adopted different educational methods for different groups and designed activities that cater to a multi-level and diverse educational approach.
We have developed different educational plans that are tailored to the specific needs and interests of various age groups. For elementary school students , we offer animated science popularization to make learning fun and engaging. For high school students , we organize science camps that provide an immersive experience. And for college students , we facilitate iGEM clubs that encourage innovation and research.
It is our hope that through these different methods , we can inspire the interest of elementary school students in natural science , provide a platform for high school students to deeply understand synthetic biology , and cultivate the innovative ability and scientific research spirit of college students in the field of synthetic biology.
We have successfully implemented educational projects targeting different age groups, covering the entire educational spectrum. We advocate for a chain-like educational structure to popularize and develop synthetic biology education, and have received positive feedback.
What preparations have we made?
During the project, we realized that many people's understanding of viruses is still very superficial, especially in the Chinese education system, where children and adolescents' cognition of natural science is still at the textbook stage.
We thought of implementing a synthetic biology popularization plan to lead them into a natural world full of viruses. We chose to focus on educational and inclusiveness, and emphasized the importance of interaction, hoping to expand the influence of synthetic biology.
We held discussions with virus-related enterprises, doctors, and synthetic biologists, and learned that the public's understanding of viruses is relatively weak, and children and adolescents are the most in need of popularization. We interviewed educators to understand the difficulties of education popularization, especially in the context of China's exam-oriented education system, where children and adolescents lack learning in natural science.
After that, we determined the content and methods of education, designed educational plans for different age groups, including animated science popularization, science camps, and iGEM clubs. We also prepared the content. We designed a popular science plan for children, introducing simple content of natural science and virology. At the same time, we contacted high school students and designed and promoted science camp activities, preparing rich summer activity content, including laboratory experience, thematic lectures, and group discussions. For students in our school, we contacted teachers to establish a special iGEM club, covering the project design and experimental operation of biological experiments, to popularize synthetic biology.
Rural Elementary School Virus Popularization Plan
In the primary school stage, we advocate for warm-hearted education that focuses on children in impoverished mountainous areas of China. In July, we went deep into Shuyi Village, Bairuopu Town, Changsha City, Hunan Province, and Xifeng Village, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, to talk to children about biosafety and disease prevention. By enlightening children about synthetic biology, we opened the door to biological knowledge for them; at the same time, we distributed questionnaires and collected feedback to understand each child's opinion on our project and their views and demands for the development of biology, planting the seeds of a desire for science in their hearts.
Target: Elementary School Students from Taolin Primary School in Shuyi Village and from Xiangxing Village.
Location: Shuyi Village and Xiangxing Village, rural area schools in China.
Content: In July, we designed a series of natural science and virus-themed courses to show our courses to rural children. Through easy-to-understand explanations, focusing on the concept of viruses and our click virus project, children can intuitively understand scientific principles.
Results: Children learned about the biological knowledge related to viruses.
Feedback: Children actively participated in the interactive sessions and filled out our questionnaires.
Reflection: We noticed that children's cognition of viruses still has obvious deficiencies, which may be limited by the lack of educational resources. This made us start preparing to design story picture books and animations to allow more children to pay attention to the story of viruses.
Before the class, we distributed questionnaires to investigate the children's understanding of viruses. During the class, we introduced what viruses are, the relationship between viruses and daily life, knowledge of synthetic biology, and our project. The following questionnaire content shows the level of support the children have for our project.
Tao Lin Primary School
Our survey questionnaires indicate that in terms of understanding of viruses, 77.5% of the children have a general understanding and can recognize 2 to 3 types of viruses; 20% of the children have some understanding but very little; and only one child is very knowledgeable about viruses. This suggests that our presentations are beneficial in promoting and deepening the students' understanding of viruses and popularizing professional knowledge about viruses.
After listening to the brief introduction of our Click Virus project, 82.5% of the children believe that our research will have an impact on future life, while 12.5% think it will have no impact. At the same time, if our product is developed, more than 90% of the children are willing to recommend it to their family members. The positive feedback from the children is not only a recognition of our project but also an anticipation for the field of synthetic biology research.
Xian Feng Village School
Our survey questionnaires indicate that in terms of understanding viruses, approximately 70% of the children have a general understanding and can recognize two to three types of viruses; 30% of the children have some understanding but very limited knowledge; and almost no children are familiar with all the viruses listed. At the same time, the survey results show that the common novel coronavirus is recognized by almost everyone, which also suggests that the basic understanding of virus types mainly stems from daily life exposure.
After listening to the brief introduction of our Click Virus project, about 73% of the children believe that our research will have an impact on future life, and 10% of the children did not give an evaluation, indicating that they might be influenced. At the same time, if our product is developed, all the children are willing to recommend it to their family members. Based on the feedback from the children, this is a recognition of our project and also an anticipation for the field of biological research.
High School Synthetic Biology Science Camp
In the middle school stage, in August, we invited high school students from Jincheng No.1 Middle School and Jincheng No.2 Middle School in Shanxi to the campus of Hunan University. Leaving textbooks behind, we built a broader and more professional platform for synthetic biology for them. By personally entering the laboratory and participating in case studies and practical operations, students' understanding and interest in synthetic biology have been significantly enhanced, and the knowledge they gained far exceeds the scope of textbooks. As the organizers, we also strive to combine the recruitment of Hunan University with this visit and learning, in addition to visiting the laboratory, we also took the middle school students to visit the beautiful university campus, making the education of Hunan University penetrate into various fields, greatly enhancing the influence of our team, expanding our educational venues and models, and gaining the support of many schools and partners.
Target: High School Students from Jincheng No.1 Middle School and Jincheng No.2 Middle School in Shanxi.
Location: Hunan University campus, laboratories and lecture halls.
Content: In August, we invited high school students from Jincheng, Shanxi to the campus and held a series of lectures and laboratory workshops, allowing high school students to get familiar with college life in advance, understand the latest developments and practical applications of synthetic biology, and learn case studies and practical operations by entering the experimental building.
Results: High school students' understanding and interest in synthetic biology have significantly increased, and they have learned knowledge beyond textbooks.
Feedback: Interviewed students and collected student feedback to understand their satisfaction with the course content and suggestions for improvement.
Reflection: Based on the feedback, we promptly adjusted the course content and teaching methods to ensure that educational activities always meet the needs and expectations of students.
Our survey questionnaires indicate that there are no students who are completely unaware of the Nobel Prize, but the number of people who have a detailed understanding of it is extremely low, and most people only have a general understanding. This suggests that our project has educational and popularization significance for the majority of young people, who can pay attention to the development of synthetic biology through our project.
In terms of understanding of viruses, approximately 65% of the students have a general understanding, which is more than half of the total number of questionnaires; 31% of the students have some understanding but very little; and a very small number of students have a deep understanding of viruses. This indicates that our use of viruses in experiments is beneficial for promoting and deepening young people's understanding of viruses, and popularizing professional knowledge about viruses.
Based on the understanding of click reactions, before our project introduction, most students were unfamiliar with click reactions and knowledge of synthetic biology. However, after our explanation, more than 90% of the students understood the principles of click reactions and also gained a certain understanding of engineered viruses, showing great interest in synthetic biology. This shows that our project plays an important role in improving the biological literacy of young students and aiding in the enlightenment of cutting-edge scientific research.
College Student iGEM Club
In the university stage , we established the iGEM club in the university. Through biosafety education and the promotion of iGEM, more and more college students have entered biological laboratories, tried simple operations, and felt the joy of biology.
Target: College Students from Hunan University
Location:Hunan University Biological College Experimental Building.
Content: In September, we contacted teachers to establish an iGEM club. The club content revolves around the following aspects: popular science classes and practical classes, which are used to introduce the basic concepts, development history, and cutting-edge applications of synthetic biology, and basic biological experimental operation training in the laboratory, including DNA extraction, PCR amplification, gel electrophoresis, etc. Students will participate in actual scientific research projects under the guidance of teachers, from experimental operations to result analysis, experiencing the complete scientific research process.
Results: Through learning in the iGEM club, students can not only obtain professional knowledge and experimental skills in synthetic biology but also improve their scientific research quality and innovative ability in club activities.
Feedback: Club meetings are held every Monday afternoon at three o'clock, lasting more than an hour, for summarizing the results of learning.
Reflection: There are many parts of the club that need to be improved, and club members need to clearly record their contributions and understand what they have learned.
Public Science Popularization
During the public education stage, we focused on the community, distributing materials and biosafety manuals, and popularizing biosafety knowledge among the public. We also promoted the Click Virus project to those who are already working in the field of biology. In the educational activities, the public expressed strong interest, stating that this knowledge is very helpful to them, and they are willing to use our results in their subsequent work. Our team also understands the urgent need for synthetic biology for our Click Virus. The Click Virus will definitely benefit biological research and human health in various fields.
Target: Residents of Tianma Community, Laboratory Staff
Location: Tianma Community, Lushan Laboratory
Content: In September, we contacted the Tianma Community Neighborhood Committee and set up distribution points at the community activity center to distribute our safety manuals to the residents of Tianma Community, providing necessary explanations and guidance. At the same time, we also visited Lushan Laboratory to communicate with the staff.
Results: Successfully distributed safety manuals to the residents of Tianma Community and exchanged ideas for subsequent revisions with laboratory staff.
Feedback: Residents agreed with our work and expressed their support for our future activities. Laboratory staff provided valuable suggestions for the content of the manual.
Reflection: The majority of the community consists of elderly people and children, who require special attention for safety education and knowledge dissemination. Laboratory staff have made demands for the scientific and practical nature of the safety manual.
Summary
From primary school to high school, and then to university and work, we have a detailed understanding of the different understandings and needs of people at different educational stages for synthetic biology, so that people from different regions, identities, and educational backgrounds have received a wide dissemination of knowledge about synthetic biology and biosafety. We have not only achieved the diversified construction of the education system but also provided valuable reference models for future educational institutions. Our core philosophy is to stimulate the strong interest of students of all ages in synthetic biology through customized teaching methods, and to construct an overall educational model, which is the original intention of our participation in educational activities.