Map Orientation
Before the official start of the popular science session, we communicated with the students and found that they had never heard of synthetic biology and were unaware of the wonderful uses of yeast cells in synthetic biology.
Students are divided into pairs, and we distribute yeast cells that have been stained with Eosin Y and methylene blue to each group in advance. We teach them how to prepare slides and observe the morphology of yeast cells under the microscope. A small number of students can quickly and accurately adjust the microscope to find the yeast cells in the field of view, while most students require our assistance. The students are very surprised to see the moving yeast cells under the microscope for the first time.
Based on their imagination, students draw their own designed synthetic organisms on white paper, give it a name, and describe its functions.
In this carefully planned synthetic biology journey for middle school students, we were pleasantly surprised to find that the children's longing for the mysteries of life and the forefront of science is no less than ours; they just temporarily lack a language that resonates with them and a guide to lead them in exploration.
This discovery has made us deeply aware that the seeds of curiosity have already been sown in the hearts of children, just waiting for the nourishment of knowledge to grow strong and tall.
At the same time, we have also realized that for younger children, the efficiency of passively receiving knowledge is relatively low. They find it difficult to concentrate and prefer interactive segments. Therefore, in the upcoming "Volunteer activities for the country people" classes, we have increased the proportion of time for interactive Q&A and drawing sessions, hoping to achieve better results.
Before the official start of the popular science session, we communicated with the students and found that they had never heard of synthetic biology and were unaware of the wonderful uses of yeast cells in synthetic biology.
Based on their imagination, students draw their own designed synthetic organisms on white paper, give it a name, and describe its functions.
Our purpose is not only to impart cold, hard scientific knowledge but also to sow a lush forest of hope in the hearts of children during this sweltering summer. In this science mini-class, we have used vivid and interesting language to transform complex and profound synthetic biology knowledge into fun stories that children can easily understand, and we encourage them to pick up their brushes and let their imagination soar freely on the canvas. Each colorful synthetic biology drawing is a true reflection of the children's inner world, and it is their purest desire and expression for scientific exploration.
We believe that through such activities, we can plant the seeds of synthetic biology in the young hearts of children. These seeds may one day break through the soil, grow strong, and become an important force in promoting technological progress and changing the world.