Education

Introduction

To promote synthetic biology knowledge and introduce our iGEM project to the public, our team designed posters, brochures, educational videos, and an insulin-themed game, and organized three outreach events targeting students, the community, and the general public. Additionally, the team managed social media accounts, providing real-time updates on the project's progress. Through these efforts, we are committed to promoting synthetic biology and the outcomes of our project, while engaging public attention and support through various media channels.

Promotional material

The event materials include four items: mascot keychains, wristbands, round fans, and sugar-free candy. The keychains feature the team’s four mascot animals—a kitten, a puppy, a fox, and a rabbit—each wearing a scarf with the team logo. These mascots are encircled by a ring of Commelina communis containing isoorientin, tying back to the team logo. The choice of animals over human figures reflects their representation of nature, aligning more closely with the project’s theme of natural, plant-based products. The wristbands, widely given as presents to children at the event, are printed with the slogan ‘iGEM WLSA Changing the Future’, promoting the team's message in a more approachable way with the target audience. The handheld round fans provide information on diabetes prevention, allowing people to stay cool while learning useful health tips. Finally, the team distributed sugar-free candy to participants, further reinforcing the diabetes prevention message.

Activities in Low Carbon Science and Technology Museum of Hangzhou, China

On August 4, we held an educational program at the Hangzhou Low Carbon Science & Technology Museum in China, aiming to raise public awareness of diabetes and its treatments while sparking children's interest in biology. The event successfully increased public understanding of the dangers and prevention of diabetes. This report summarizes the execution, feedback, and lessons learned from the event. Our team invested significant effort in both preparation and execution. First, all members were assigned tasks, such as designing posters and creating award designs. Despite some differences of opinion, the team worked together to ensure everything was ready. On the day of the event, team members arrived on time, with some interacting with children while others distributed posters and encouraged visitors to join the activities. The event achieved excellent results. Public feedback was reflected in adult support, children's participation, and the event's popularity. Many adults, especially those with diabetic family members, supported our research, motivating us to continue. Children showed great interest in the bracelet-making game, completing it with the help of their parents. The experiments also successfully sparked their enthusiasm for science. While the event was a success, there are areas for improvement. Many children had a limited understanding of amino acid sequences and insulin, so we recommend using methods more suited to their cognitive levels in the future. Additionally, public awareness of diabetes was superficial, mostly focused on sugar intake, so we suggest providing more comprehensive education for parents. Lastly, participation from middle-aged and elderly individuals was low, so future efforts should target this demographic and tailor content to their learning abilities. By making these adjustments, we can further enhance the educational program and deepen public awareness of diabetes and related health issues.

Social Media Account

Our team utilizes multiple social media platforms, including Douyin, Instagram, Xiaohongshu, and WeChat Video Channel, to promote our project. These platforms primarily feature video content showcasing the work of the WLSA-ShanghaiAcademy iGEM team. Through video clips and accompanying text descriptions, we introduce the public to our daily laboratory operations and fundamental molecular biology principles, providing a more intuitive understanding of synthetic biology and its practical applications. By strategically managing these social media accounts, we have not only significantly expanded the project's visibility but also effectively raised awareness of synthetic biology and iGEM among a broader audience.

One notable advantage of this multi-platform communication strategy is its wide reach and strong interactivity. Each social media platform attracts distinct user demographics; for example, Douyin and Xiaohongshu appeal to younger audiences who are drawn to video content, while WeChat Video Channel caters to a broader age range, enhancing the diversity of our outreach. Additionally, by sharing videos of our lab work, the public can engage with scientific knowledge in a more dynamic and accessible manner, sparking interest in synthetic biology and improving public understanding and acceptance of scientific research. This innovative approach to outreach serves as a valuable model for future science communication and education efforts.

Synthetic Biology in High School

Our team recently held a successful on-campus event to promote the iGEM competition and our project, aimed at educating students and faculty about synthetic biology and providing an overview of iGEM’s background and project progress. The event did not include live experiments but focused on presentations and displays to achieve its educational purpose, attracting participants from various disciplines. The event featured a concise presentation introducing the history, development, and global impact of the iGEM competition, helping participants understand that iGEM is not just a global student competition but also a platform driving innovation in synthetic biology. The team then shared the background, design concept, experimental process, and expected applications of the current project. To enhance understanding, we used posters, promotional videos, and PowerPoint slides to visually present the technical aspects and potential impact of the project. Additionally, a Q&A session encouraged audience interaction, and many students expressed great interest in iGEM’s interdisciplinary and innovative aspects after learning about the project. The iGEM competition and project introduction event was a great success, increasing awareness of synthetic biology and iGEM among students and faculty, while also expanding our team’s influence on campus. The event successfully sparked interest in scientific research, particularly in interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation, laying a solid foundation for future iGEM project promotion.

Biology classroom iGEM project lab work sharing session

Our team recently organized an on-campus sharing session focused on the laboratory work of the iGEM project, covering key experimental techniques such as PCR, transformation, and protein expression. The session utilized experimental videos and result displays to help the audience gain a clearer understanding of the procedures, sparking interest in synthetic biology experiments. We introduced PCR by explaining its principles and showcasing successful DNA amplification results. This was followed by a detailed explanation of transformation, using videos that demonstrated the process of inserting recombinant plasmids into bacterial cells and verifying success through antibiotic screening. In the protein expression and purification segment, we showed how bacteria were used to express target proteins, with gel electrophoresis results illustrating the process of converting DNA into proteins. The session received positive feedback from the audience. Students, including those unfamiliar with laboratory work, appreciated the visual aids and developed a stronger understanding of the experiments. Many students actively asked questions about optimizing the techniques and expressed interest in joining iGEM or similar research projects. The success of the session lay in its clear, visual presentation, strong interactivity, and the ability to inspire enthusiasm for scientific research. This sharing session not only deepened the audience's understanding of iGEM project experiments but also encouraged broader participation in synthetic biology and research initiatives.

Synthetic biology into the biology lab

In this laboratory science popularization activity, we focused on the use of micropipettes to demonstrate essential laboratory operations. As part of the iGEM project, the micropipette tutorial helped participants better understand the importance of precision in experimental procedures. During the event, we first explained the structure, functions, and key points of using a micropipette, emphasizing how to correctly set the volume and select the proper pipette tips. We also demonstrated common mistakes and how they could affect experimental results, highlighting the importance of accuracy in lab work. To enhance engagement, we included a hands-on session where participants used micropipettes to transfer liquids, giving them a practical experience of the precision and care required in scientific experiments. Through this activity, participants not only learned the basics of micropipette operation but also gained a deeper appreciation for the importance of precision in laboratory work. The event provided a clear introduction to essential research skills and successfully sparked interest in experimental techniques and synthetic biology.

Summary

These activities helped us successfully promote synthetic biology and introduce our iGEM project to the public through various channels. By using posters, videos, social media, and outreach events, we significantly increased the visibility of our project, attracting more attention to synthetic biology and diabetes prevention. Additionally, the interactions and sharing sessions sparked interest in scientific research among students and the public, benefiting the future development and broader impact of our project.