Education
- 1 Overview
- 2 Offline Education Activity
- 3 Online Education Activities
- 4 Education Materials
1 Overview
Based on our previous research and questionnaire, we concluded that public awareness of folate and active folate is relatively low. Therefore, we believe that education is a crucial aspect of our project. To reach a diverse audience and engage with different communities, we organized several activities. First, we conducted random in-person interviews to assess people's knowledge of folate and active folate. While most were somewhat familiar with folate, they were largely unaware of active folate. We attempted to educate them using pamphlets, but their impact was limited. Next, we turned to social media to raise awareness about synthetic biology and folic acid, as it primarily reaches young adults who use mobile phones. Additionally, we organized a workshop specifically aimed at young children and their elderly guardians. The workshop focused on synthetic biology and folic acid, and we received very positive feedback from participants.
2 Offline Education Activity
2.1 In-person Interviews in Shanghai Kerry Center
2.1.1 Activity Process
Thanks to the comfortable temperature inside the mall, the challenges of our interview and promotion were significantly eased. To enhance efficiency, we organized the activities in pairs and spread them out.
(2) Chinese adult males knew about folic acid mainly from their wives.
(3) Chinese teenagers almost had no impression at all.
(4) Chinese elderly females had a basic understanding, which comes mainly from friends and doctors.
(5) Foreign adult females and males generally had an understanding of folic acid. Of course, there were also some who have a very vague understanding.
2.1.2 Reflection
Through interviews and the distribution of posters and pamphlets, we gained valuable insights into the public’s awareness of folic acid. This experience has provided us with useful strategies and methods for promoting folic acid products in the future.
The event also revealed some issues in our communication and planning. Although we hadn’t coordinated with the hospital in advance, we quickly devised a solution and were able to successfully carry out the event.
From this activity, we learned that awareness of folic acid and active folate in China remains overly focused on women and fertility, overlooking its benefits for the elderly and its role in other health conditions. This not only underscores the market potential for our active folate products but also highlights the importance and urgency of raising awareness about active folate. To help build a healthier society, we are committed to increasing our outreach efforts, particularly among young people and children.
2.2 Workshop
We decided to reach a broader and more diverse audience by hosting an educational workshop to promote and publicize our products. While our previous educational efforts primarily targeted young adults on social media, we chose to focus this workshop on a different group: children aged 6 to 12 and their guardians, particularly grandparents, who are less active online.
Figure 1 A Diagram of the Age Distribution of Our Young Audience
2.2.1 Workshop Process
In this workshop, we used physical building blocks as a metaphor to explain synthetic biology and folic acid, making the concepts more accessible for our young audience. Most participants engaged attentively, likely due to our creative approach. Their correct responses during discussions suggest that our explanations were effective. However, we faced some challenges when the children became overly enthusiastic and disrupted the session. To manage this, we used stickers and compliments to help maintain order. At the end of the workshop, we encouraged the children to share what they had learned with their parents and friends. To enhance their experience and reinforce their learning, we provided bags, pencils, and stickers related to our topic and team logo. Overall, the workshop was a success.
2.2.2 Reflection
To reflect on our workshop and to connect with our audience, we passed out a post-survey. (Unfortunately, due to the literary levels of our older audience, we are unable to get most of their opinions).
Question: Are you satisfied with our workshop?
Most of our audience enjoyed our workshop and all our audience were satisfied.
Question: What is your favorite learning method?
The most popular method is when children can interact with their peers, showing us that offline activities such as workshops are more appealing to children. Other parts including “listen to the story”, “competition”, and “learn new knowledge (via lectures)” are evenly popular, telling us that workshops should include various sections that are important for children to learn new knowledge.
At last, we collected a few suggestions from the guardians. They are all happy about our workshop, and they hope for more workshops as such in the future. In response, we plan to host more workshops in our schools.
3 Online Education Activities
To engage a broad audience, we decided to utilize social media for education and public awareness. We manage three social media accounts to reach diverse groups: Xiaohongshu, Bilibili, and TikTok. In China, Xiaohongshu is particularly popular among women, while Bilibili is favored by teenagers and young adults. Our TikTok account, on the other hand, targets an international audience.
3.1 Xiaohongshu
Our first social media platform is Xiaohongshu. We use it to promote public understanding of synthetic biology and active folate. Additionally, we highlight specific educational initiatives, aiming to bridge the gap between complex scientific concepts and public awareness. Through these efforts, we strive to enhance science communication and foster greater engagement with our audience.
3.1.1 Our Account and Homepage
We begin by introducing our team, including our title and research objectives, to provide the audience with a clear understanding of who we are and what we aim to achieve. we have garnered a significant number of views and engagement on this social media platform, including comments and interactions.
4. Education Materials
We provide a detailed explanation of active folate, emphasizing the specific differences between active folate and regular folate, and comparing their respective advantages and disadvantages. This approach aims to deepen the public’s understanding of active folate. Next, we use pictures to educate the public about synthetic biology, helping them gain a broad understanding of its specific applications. We analyze the primary uses and target beneficiaries of folate, as well as the distinct functions of its various forms. Through these comprehensive explanations, we aim to enhance public awareness and promote a broader understanding of folate’s significance. Finally, we showcase and promote our educational outreach activities on social media.