EDUCATION

Overview

Throughout the iGEM season there were two educational goals we had in mind: Synthetic biology and PFAS awareness education.

Synthetic Biology

Oftentimes, when the term Synthetic Biology is heard,the reaction to it is one of mistrust, fear, or complete inexperience. Our goal was to work on educational initiatives that described synthetic biology in a clear, understandable way while at the same time displaying the endless possibilities. We engaged and coordinated as many educational events as we could to expose students young and old to synthetic biology and the possibilities it presents.

Science Expo

Stemville

As part of an ongoing effort to bring science education to underserved or underrepresented groups in STEM, we partnered with Morehead Planetarium and Science center to host STEMville. This presented us with an opportunity to educate grade-school level kids on the scientific process and how science works, showing them a little bit about our project before getting into a hands-on activity regarding some of the concepts. Students performed a fun titration exercise that dealt with the concept of acids and bases, mixing different quantities of each until color changes occurred.

While this did give us an opportunity to grow more comfortable with teaching our project, the primary focus was on fostering an interest in the sciences, giving kids the opportunity to engage with it in a way they may not have had the chance to before. Diversity in the sciences is a vastly important aspect that is often relegated to the backburner, and as scientists it is our job to ensure that the voices of all may be heard. In hosting this event, we gave an introductory look on science to school-aged children that we hope will inspire a passion for the subject and bring new perspectives into the scientific field.

PFAS Awareness

As we learned more and more about the permanence and dangers of PFAS, we understood more and more the necessity to make the information and insights we received as available as possible to those in our local North Carolina community.

Univision

During our investigation into the prevalence of PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) toxicity across North Carolina, our team reached a concerning conclusion: pollution from these harmful chemicals is disproportionately concentrated around bodies of water situated near minority communities throughout the state. PFAS, which are often referred to as "forever chemicals" due to their persistence in the environment and resistance to degradation, have been linked to a variety of serious health issues, including cancer, liver damage, and developmental problems. This makes their concentrated presence near vulnerable communities all the more alarming.

Our research revealed that the pollution levels in these areas, particularly those close to Hispanic and African American communities, are substantially higher than in other parts of the state. These communities often face systemic environmental injustices, including a lack of resources, insufficient environmental protections, and limited access to vital information about the hazards in their surroundings. It became clear to us that in addition to addressing the contamination itself, there was an urgent need to raise public awareness about the dangers of PFAS, especially among populations who are more directly affected.

As part of our broader efforts to educate the public and advocate for change, we focused on breaking down barriers to information. Recognizing that language plays a critical role in how people access and process important health and environmental data, we prioritized outreach to communities where English is not the primary language spoken at home. Our marketing team identified Univision 40, a local Hispanic television network based in Raleigh, North Carolina, as an ideal platform to connect with Hispanic audiences across the state.

We understood that the language barrier frequently impedes these communities' understanding of complex issues like PFAS contamination, which can exacerbate their vulnerability. Many residents are unaware of the presence of PFAS in their everyday potable water supply, let alone the potential long-term health risks associated with exposure to these chemicals. The fact that this contamination often goes unnoticed or misunderstood further highlights the need for targeted, culturally sensitive communication efforts.

To address this gap, we collaborated with Univision 40 to produce an in-depth interview conducted entirely in Spanish. During the interview, members of our team explained the objectives of our ongoing project and outlined the steps we are taking to document and combat PFAS contamination. We provided a general overview of the science behind PFAS, their sources, and their health implications, while also emphasizing the importance of community involvement in addressing this issue.

The interview was structured to ensure that the key information was accessible to all members of the community, regardless of their level of scientific understanding. By communicating in Spanish, we were able to directly engage a broader audience and ensure that vital information about this pressing public health issue reached those who are often left out of environmental conversations due to linguistic barriers.

Our collaboration with Univision 40 marks a significant step in our efforts to foster greater inclusivity in the fight against environmental hazards such as PFAS. This interview not only raised awareness within the Hispanic community but also underscored the importance of culturally competent outreach in addressing environmental justice issues. We are hopeful that this initiative will inspire other organizations to adopt similar strategies, ensuring that no community is left behind in the pursuit of a safer, healthier environment.

Awareness-Guide

In addition, we developed a comprehensive guide aimed at educating the public about PFAS, focusing on raising awareness and promoting safety practices related to its presence in the environment. This guide was meticulously crafted by our human practices team, which drew on extensive research to provide clear, accessible information. The guide covers a wide range of topics, including the nature of PFAS chemicals, their widespread use in consumer products, and the long-term environmental and health impacts associated with their persistence.

We also delve into the ways in which PFAS contamination can infiltrate the water supply, soil, and air, as well as the particular risks these chemicals pose to vulnerable communities. The guide emphasizes safety measures individuals and households can take to reduce exposure, such as filtering drinking water, avoiding certain consumer products, and advocating for stricter regulations. Furthermore, it offers detailed recommendations for communities, policymakers, and organizations on how to address and mitigate PFAS contamination more broadly, including best practices for environmental monitoring, clean-up efforts, and community outreach initiatives.

By synthesizing scientific knowledge with practical advice, our goal is to empower individuals and communities with the information they need to protect themselves and advocate for healthier, safer environments.

The guide is available in both English and Spanish languages, ensuring that all communities, especially those who may face language barriers, can access the critical information needed to understand and respond to the threat posed by PFAS in their local ecosystems.

Local Firefighter Documentary

We have also gotten in touch with our local fire department and are working to conduct interviews of the staff regarding their awareness of the impact of PFAS in their profession, any concerns they have about it, what's currently being done about it at the local fire station, and what they hope may improve about the situation. We plan to use the information we garner to create a mini-documentary that we can distribute in our community. The documentary would both amplify the voices of the firefighters exposed to PFAS so that they can share their concerns, as well as be informational to the public.

Survey

Wanting to understand the scale of effective PFAS communication in our community, we created a survey with 25+ responses inquiring about the awareness of UNC student community and around Chapel Hill, NC. From it, we learned that most of the respondents were aware of PFAS to a degree and had a negative connotation of it. However, many of the respondents did not. Which showed that more work in the community could be done to leave people better informed about the PFAS pollution crisis. In addition, to not leave respondents who were not aware of PFAS still unaware, the submission screen of the form included government resources on the PFAS pollution crisis as well as information on what our iGEM is doing to mitigate the problem.