As John Dewey once said, “Education is not a preparation for life, but life itself.” In the prestigious iGEM competition, the “Best Education” award stands as a unique and luminous focal point, recognizing teams that demonstrate exceptional contributions to public education, science communication and community engagement. With an innovative spirit and an open mindset, the NNU-CHINA team has employed a myriad of approaches, including but not limited to stage plays, community talks, educational videos and social media, to disseminate cutting-edge knowledge and concepts in synthetic biology. They have translated the innovative technical points of their project into accessible formats, reaching the hearts and minds of researchers, educators, students and the general public alike. By building a bridge between science and society, our team has enhanced public scientific literacy in synthetic biology and ignited a profound interest in scientific exploration among the younger generation. These efforts have not only propelled global advancements in the field of synthetic biology but have also made significant contributions to the construction of a more scientific, rational, and sustainably developed society, highlighting the power and value of education.
On the stage of the iGEM competition, our team embarked on a mission to widely disseminate our scientific project and its underlying principles. We harnessed the power of digital media, inaugurating an official WeChat account titled “NNU-CHINA2024 Nanjing Normal University Group”. We have released 21 original content articles, covering human practice activities, pesticide science cartoons and project introduction, aiming to give full play to the unique value of our project and the charm of synthetic biology in the form closest to the public. It was followed by 131 users and read 2396 times. Through these efforts, we not only stimulated the public interest in synthetic biology, but also had more opportunities to communicate and talk with people who love synthetic biology, build a dynamic knowledge sharing platform, and show the spirit of "science and society dialogue" advocated in the iGEM competition!
Publicity activities play a vital role in science popularization and public education. Its core purpose is to build a bridge between science and society, and to promote the dissemination and understanding of knowledge. Through the simple explanation and interactive experience, the publicity can not only stimulate the interest and enthusiasm of the public, especially the young generation for science, but also enhance their scientific literacy and environmental awareness, and promote the cultivation of scientific thinking and critical thinking ability. Therefore, we ventured into various communities and schools, conducting targeted and multi-level educational activities tailored to different age groups, including children, middle-aged, and elderly individuals.(Click here to learn more.)
Educational derivatives are the bridge between science and society. We are not only committed to scientific research and innovation, but also shoulder the social responsibility of promoting the knowledge of green agriculture and synthetic biology, and use educational derivatives as an important method to achieve this goal. We designed rich and colorful education derivatives, which show the charm and potential of synthetic biology, enhance the public cognition of synthetic biology and green agriculture, promote the public of green agriculture and sustainable development issues deep understanding and extensive participation, embody the iGEM competition core values.
1.Picture Book
In order to let children understand the harm of chemical pesticides, realize the importance and benefits of green biological pesticides, and cultivate their understanding and sense of responsibility for environmental protection, we weave a wonderful journey of pesticides into a vivid, inspiring and educational picture book——The Secret of the Rainbow Orchard. With colorful illustrations and warm stories, the paper tells the harm of chemical pesticides and the importance of using green biological pesticides. Through this picture book, we have skillfully built a bridge between science and humanity, making the significance of green biological pesticides take root and sprout in the hearts of children, and inspiring their love for nature and enthusiasm for scientific exploration.
2.Situation Drama
In order to make scientific knowledge easy to understand, enhance the educational effect, and show the interest and practicality of science, we shot a situation drama with the theme of "Green agriculture". It skillfully connected the research and development of green biological pesticides with modern green agriculture practice in an entertaining way. This sitcom vividly shows how green biopesticides protect crops, maintain ecological balance and reduce chemical residues, thus promoting the development of green agriculture. It can inspire the audience to think about green agriculture, and convey ithe power of science and the beautiful vision of green agriculture in the form of art.
3.Micro-lessons on TikTok and Bilibili
In order to popularize the basic knowledge of green agriculture and microbiology and deepen the public's understanding of the team's research background, we launched a series of micro-courses on TikTok and Bilibili platforms. In a lively format, these micro-courses explain the meaning of green agriculture in simple terms, show how green biopesticides can use specific microorganisms to control pests and diseases in an ecologically friendly way, thus reducing the use of chemical pesticides, and introduce the knowledge of microorganisms, promoting the process of green agriculture. These not only enrich the popular science dimension of iGEM competition, but also touch the majority of Internet users in a vivid and close way to life, inspiring the public's extensive attention and thinking about green technology and green agriculture.
4.Podcast
Recognizing the need for innovative communication methods to break down knowledge barriers, our team, along with our collaborators, sought to present the concepts and practices of synthetic biology and green agriculture in a more vivid and accessible way. This is a practice of collaboration, innovation, and sharing. NNU-CHINA, together with NJTECH-CHINA-A, OUC-Haide, SDU-CHINA, and HUBU-China, jointly lit a beacon of bioscience popularization: " Biological Glow, Becoming a Torch." This initiative can not only illuminate the path of science communication in 2024 but also offer an innovative podcast that merges visual and auditory experiences.
5.Bookmarks
The bookmark "The Magic World of Synthetic Biology", designed by our team members, is not only a small and delicate gift, but also a window into the world of science and environmental concepts. We use a cute cartoon themed synthetic biology bookmark to sow the seeds of science in the hearts of the public, and skillfully interpret the charm of synthetic biology with a symbol of environmental protection, lively colors and playful design.
6.Board Game
No children don't like fun games. To inspire their interest in synthetic biology, we have designed a unique board game. This innovative game creatively combines the core concepts of synthetic biology with engaging gameplay. Through carefully designed levels and challenges on the game board, children can enjoy the fun of play while subtly understanding green biological pesticides and synthetic biology related vocabulary.
7.Science Comics
To bridge the gap between scientific research and the general public, we have creatively established a communication bridge with a series of science comics. These comics, characterized by lively and vivid illustrations and concise language, introduce 5-ALA, E. coli, and microfluidic technology in an engaging manner.
8.Ancient Poetry Collection
We have introduced the ancient poetry collection as an educational innovation. This collection, curated to blend tradition with modernity, integrates the unique crops of various Chinese provinces with classical poetry. It provides international audiences with a channel to learn about Chinese history, culture, and philosophy and opens up a poetic and culturally rich path for promoting green agriculture. This cross-temporal cultural dialogue allows people to appreciate the beauty of the fusion between green technology and traditional culture while deepening the international community's understanding of Chinese culture.(Click here to learn more.)
9.Three Folding
In order to refine and vividly spread the core ideas of green agriculture and synthetic biology, we have designed a three-fold model. It focuses on the promotion of green agriculture, analyzes the mystery of synthetic biology, and intuitively presents the internal connection between green agriculture and synthetic biology, stimulates the public's curiosity and participation in green technology, and shows our team's innovative thinking and social responsibility in promoting the popularization and application of green technology.
