Education
Introduction
For such newly developed technology to be accepted by the public, it is important for us as developers to educate and promote the society. Education is a cornerstone of our iGEM team’s mission, aimed at enhancing public understanding of synthetic biology, promoting scientific literacy, and inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers. We targeted to increase awareness and understanding of synthetic biology and its applications among students and the general public. Also, equip participants and the community with fundamental knowledge and skills in biology, genetics, and biotechnology. Our team has participated in the popular science activity in Hangzhou Low Carbon Science & Technology Museum, activity in our school of going inside the labs to investigate and carry out experiment in person, in assembly in our school for information session and understanding molecular biology, in community we carried out public posters and we help the public to know dsRNA and sheath blight. Even more, in elementary school and in charitable activities we are able to teach the kids about corns and vegetables we are eating.
Promotional material
The promotional materials designed for this initiative include a poster themed “Prevention and Control of Corn Sheath Blight” and a brochure focused on the biopesticide dsRNA. These materials aim to promote and disseminate relevant scientific knowledge and are suitable for long-term use in various events.
Poster Section:
The poster is centered on the theme of “Prevention and Control of Corn Sheath Blight.” Its design features clear, visual images and concise text, highlighting the dangers of corn sheath blight and the methods for controlling it. Through vivid illustrations, it emphasizes the importance of biological control techniques, capturing public attention. These posters are widely displayed at event venues and in science education areas to raise public awareness of agricultural disease control.
Brochure Section:
The brochure is focused on “biopesticide dsRNA.” It provides detailed information on the principles of dsRNA’s application in agriculture and its environmental benefits, particularly in controlling corn diseases. With a combination of text and images, the brochure not only explains the scientific basis of biopesticides but also helps the audience understand how this technology is applied in modern agriculture. The brochure is versatile, suitable for distribution during science education events or as part of ongoing promotional efforts.
Overall, these promotional materials effectively communicate scientific knowledge through targeted themes and are designed for reusable purposes, ensuring they continue to enhance outreach efforts in future events.
Activities in Low Carbon Science and Technology Museum of Hangzhou, China
On August 4, 2024, We hosted a science activity for children at the Hangzhou Low-Carbon Technology Museum, focusing on synthetic biology and biopesticides. This event significantly increased the visibility of our project through interactive experiences with the public, helping more people gain a deeper understanding of molecular biology and cell biology. By offering attractive souvenirs and organizing fun games such as “Who Is the Spy,” cell puzzles, and “Jeopardy,” we drew in a large number of children and teenagers, enhancing their knowledge of synthetic biology, molecular biology, and crops like corn. Many participants actively asked questions and engaged in these educational games, furthering their understanding of our project. We also successfully spread knowledge about corn sheath blight and basic molecular biology concepts by distributing printed posters and brochures, which garnered a high level of public attention for our project. Additionally, we collected valuable feedback through surveys from various age groups and genders, providing crucial insights that helped us analyze and adjust our project to better meet public needs. After the activity, the public’s understanding of synthetic biology, molecular biology, and corn sheath blight increased significantly. Some participants even suggested that we expand our project to explore other areas, such as fungal issues in hair and rice. This event not only boosted our project’s exposure but also laid a solid foundation for further promotion of synthetic biology.
Social Media Arrangement
In nowadays, social media is an important part of our world and internet is a connection between people and society. Through popular Chinese social media, we established several dry team, promotion, and educational videos to attract attention from the public, we included many easy and understandable information, but also interesting fun facts and scene to make them attractive and not boring.
We have continually uploaded our educational videos online which content is about dsRNA and how our procedure of experiment is carried out, with interesting pictures and videos together, we are able to conduct our product to the public social media, introducing our dsRNA pesticide that is degradable and harmless towards the environment, acknowledging more people about how dsRNA pesticides can help increase the yield of production of corns.
Specifically, we have introduced our team members and advisors in some of the videos as well, as an introduction through our team is also another important factor that can be included in the social media, publicizing the whole team towards the society.
Upper Secondary Lab Education
This educational activity took place in the microbiology laboratory at Wuxi Dipont School of Arts and Science, which is equipped with advanced facilities, providing an ideal environment for students to engage in biological experiments. The core content of the activity focused on Gram staining techniques and bacterial detection procedures, specifically how to identify bacteria in suspected infection sites or bodily fluid samples. Gram staining is a fundamental technique in microbiology that helps students differentiate between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria by observing the color differences after staining, which offers insights into bacterial structural differences.
During the experiment, we provided detailed explanations for each step, including sample preparation, staining procedures, and microscopic observation of bacteria, ensuring that students could fully grasp the technique from theory to practice. In addition, students learned how to analyze and interpret experimental results, linking them to real-case scenarios. This not only enhanced their practical lab skills but also deepened their understanding of how bacteria grow and function in different environments.
Through these hands-on activities, students gained a deeper understanding of the core concepts of synthetic and molecular biology, particularly in their application to biological research. Whether it was bacterial classification or understanding the role of microorganisms in infections, the students acquired new insights. The activity also encouraged them to ask questions and discuss challenges encountered during the experiments, fostering a more interactive and engaging learning experience. Overall, this laboratory education activity not only improved the students’experimental skills but also laid a solid foundation for their future studies in the field of biology.
IB Students Lecture
In order to enhance the understanding of our dsRNA pesticide project and the iGEM competition among a more educated audience, and to strengthen interaction and communication with them, we organized a lecture for IB students at Wuxi Dipont School of Arts and Science. The lecture covered a detailed introduction to the origins of the iGEM competition, its global format, and the procedures we followed in our lab, as well as the final product we developed. Additionally, we explained what integrated human practices are and why we conduct various educational activities in different regions to help the public understand synthetic biology and its applications in agriculture. The students were amazed by all the work we had done to prepare for the competition, including our experiments, human practices, interviews, and educational activities, showing great interest and actively engaging in discussions. This lecture not only gave students deeper insights into the details of the iGEM competition but also provided a valuable opportunity for them to expand their knowledge of agricultural molecular biology, learning about the standards and practices in the field. Through this event, the students not only gained a better understanding of synthetic biology but also showed considerable interest and enthusiasm for our project and the competition.
Middle School Student Activities
To spark the interest of junior high school students and broaden their horizons, we organized a specially designed educational activity aimed at helping students explore future career paths and understand the latest developments in technology. The event was held during lunchtime at the school, with the aim of imparting basic knowledge of synthetic biology and disseminating fundamental concepts of agricultural science to the students.
During the activity, we explained the basic principles of synthetic biology in a straightforward manner and provided experimental demonstrations to give students a direct appreciation of the allure of science. We also discussed our project in detail, particularly focusing on the causes, symptoms, and impact of corn sheath blight on agriculture, to enhance the students’ understanding of the issue. To boost student engagement and interest, we meticulously designed interactive board games, including cell puzzles and fun trivia quizzes, making the learning process more vivid and enjoyable. Before the activity started, we attracted more students’ attention and participation through school assemblies and the screening of promotional videos.
This event not only deepened the students’understanding of corn diseases but also increased their knowledge of pesticide use and our products. Without a doubt, this marks an important milestone in our educational promotion efforts, providing students with a valuable learning and experience opportunity.
Synthetic Biology Exchange Activity with Biology Camp Students
During this interaction with the students from the biology camp, we explored synthetic biology and its practical applications through a structured and engaging discussion. The goal was to spark the students’ interest in biotechnology while helping them understand key concepts and how they are applied in real-world scenarios.The session began with a clear introduction to the basic principles of synthetic biology. I then presented our team’s research on the biopesticide dsRNA project, highlighting how biotechnology is used to solve agricultural and environmental challenges. This example allowed students to grasp the potential of synthetic biology in promoting green agriculture and sustainability. Their interest was piqued by the real-life impact of these applications.
Following the presentation, the interactive session was driven by the students’ insightful questions. These covered a range of topics, from the initial design of the project to the specific steps involved in selecting experimental methods and optimizing production processes. This led to a deeper discussion on making informed decisions in research, and I used practical examples to illustrate how theoretical knowledge can be applied to solve real-world problems. This hands-on approach helped students connect abstract concepts with practical implementation. By the end of the activity, the students had expanded their understanding of synthetic biology and gained a clearer insight into the research process. Their curiosity and enthusiasm for future scientific research were evident. The session concluded in a lively and collaborative atmosphere, achieving the objective of fostering meaningful dialogue between students and researchers. It also provided the students with valuable insights and motivation for their future academic pursuits.
Parent Academy Lecture
This Parent Academy lecture aimed to educate parents and adults in the school community about the dangers of pesticides and the prevention of infections like sheath blight. We believe that educating only students is not enough, as adults, who are the main contributors to society, also need to be informed. The lecture began with an introduction to our dsRNA pesticide, explaining its degradability and environmental benefits. We then discussed the dangers of chemical pesticide residues that are not degradable and compared the two. Following this, we gave a detailed explanation of sheath blight, a common crop disease, its causes, symptoms, and effective prevention methods. Although the core content of the lecture focused on synthetic biology and molecular biology, we also emphasized the practical applications of this knowledge in real life, particularly in crop health management and disease prevention. We highlighted the potential harm of pesticide residues to the environment and human health, raising awareness about protective measures. This event not only helped parents better understand the basic principles and applications of biology but also provided them with knowledge on how to prevent crop diseases in daily life and make informed choices regarding pesticide use. The lecture had a profound impact on the adult audience, helping them learn how to safeguard against pesticide hazards while also deepening their understanding of synthetic biology, marking an important step in our efforts to promote scientific literacy and raise public awareness of science.
