索引
overview
IGEM club
Exhibition
Set up a molecular biology laboratory
Meet up
Online course
overview
We focus on science communication, supplementary courses, and education activities centered around biology and biotechnology to raise awareness about synthetic biology and our anti-hair loss project. We believe that having just one product is not enough; we need more promotion to inform the public and those in need about this product and its therapeutic potential. This year, our team aims to involve people of different ages and genders through the most suitable means, from exhibitions to online courses, to expand the scope of our education and outreach efforts."
IGEM club
One of our most significant promotional efforts is the establishment of a long-term IGEM club right here at our school. Through club recruitment, we successfully formed an IGEM club with 40 members. We conducted a series of synthetic biology theory courses. As for practical sessions, due to the absence of a molecular biology lab at our school, we prepared simple experiments for fruit DNA extraction. To provide our members with a better molecular biology experience, we took them to the Linkspider Laboratory(a synthetic biology company established for three years) where they engaged in activities such as PCR, gel electrophoresis, plate streaking, and other fundamental techniques.
To ensure each session had a unique theme, we created numerous PowerPoint presentations for every club activity. These presentations covered topics like DNA structure, transcription, translation, cutting-edge advancements, and the central dogma, making our courses more diverse and engaging. After each class, many students approached us with questions, and the attendance for the second class after each session even increased, indicating a high level of interest and enthusiasm among our participants.
（Here are the ppts we made）
（This is Shengming Huang teaching the first class in the iGEM club: Introduction to Synthetic Biology.）
We also collected feedback from everyone through a survey.
（This is the Survey Results）
After several lectures, many students developed a strong interest in synthetic biology. Furthermore, synthetic biology is closely related to experiments. To provide them with a better understanding of this field, we plan to design a simple yet engaging experiment: banana DNA extraction. We purchased bananas, alcohol, and cheesecloth, and acquired some Eppendorf tubes from the laboratory as experimental equipment for our members.
（This is the scene where students in the iGEM club are conducting the banana DNA crude extraction experiment.）
Additionally, we printed a protocol for each member to ensure the success of their experiments. With the guidance and supervision of our team members, the majority of the students were able to clearly see clumps of banana DNA in their test tubes. Moreover, many students found this experiment to be very enjoyable, allowing them to experience something they hadn't touched upon in their daily lives."
this is the example of feedback after they experienced the experiment in IGEM club（“club activity of banana” means banana DNA crude extraction experiment.）
During the holiday break, we led several students who have a strong interest in experiments to our Lingzhu Laboratory to conduct more advanced experiments. After experiencing biological experiments using high-end equipment, they gained a lot of insights. Upon returning, these few club members had discussions with us. They raised questions like why the school doesn't have a molecular biology laboratory and expressed their desire to continue learning in such a laboratory.
（On National Day, IGEM members came to the laboratory for training）
Exhibition
In order to promote synthetic biology to students beyond the iGEM community, we organized a special exhibition targeting all interested students in our school. As our schoolmates did not have the opportunity to engage in experiments, we designed the event around the theme of hands-on experimentation. Additionally, we prepared some synthetic biology products, such as spider silk leather and fluorescent E. coli (provided by Link Spider Laboratory, a synthetic biology company established three years).
Before delving into the main part of the exhibition, we provided the attending students with a straightforward lecture on synthetic biology. Following this, we set up several hands-on experiment stations with ample supplies including agar plates, pipettes, and agarose gels. Since theoretical lectures can often be abstract for them, we aimed to let them experience actual operations and gain a deeper understanding of the basic experiments typically conducted in biological labs.
All the students personally engaged in various interesting basic experiment operations, such as pipetting, streaking, and using a pipette. These experiments were led by members of our "iGEM" club who had received laboratory training (although they were not official iGEM team members), validating the effectiveness of our previous teaching activities in the iGEM club.
（Students are doing synthetic biology experiments）
Finally, we organized a fun Q&A session to both ask questions and address any questions from the students. Throughout the exhibition, we also introduced our project and Linkspider Laboratory, which garnered enthusiastic interest from all participants.
Furthermore, we conducted a survey to evaluate the outcomes of this exhibition and gauge the effectiveness of our teaching. Based on the feedback, our teaching was highly successful, with students demonstrating a strong grasp of the knowledge we imparted and providing prompt and accurate responses to our questionnaire.
（survey). (One of the students is teaching others)
This is one of the sections of the exhibition: lecture.
Set up a molecular biology laboratory
In addition to conducting activities on campus, what else can we do to allow future students to experience the charm of synthetic biology? So, we attempted to apply to the school to set up a molecular biology laboratory. If the laboratory is built, students can conduct synthetic biology experiments at school at any time, not limited to weekends or off-campus. In addition to breaking the constraints of time and space, even after we graduate, future students interested in molecular biology can conduct some molecular biology experiments. Therefore, building this laboratory can have a profound impact.
First, we drafted a detailed proposal for setting up the laboratory, including our purpose, future plans, and budget. Next, we submitted the proposal to the assistant principal of our school, Director Zhu, and explained to her the benefits of setting up this laboratory for the school and every student, as well as the experiments we would teach students to perform after setting up the laboratory, such as making fluorescent E. coli. However, despite our efforts, Director Zhu, after conducting an investigation and deliberation, believed that there were many difficulties in setting up this laboratory, and she explained the reasons to us.
Firstly, AISSU shares the laboratory with the middle school section of Shenzhen High School Affiliated with Shenzhen University. Therefore, it is difficult to coordinate issues related to timing and equipment usage. Additionally, the school would need to purchase expensive laboratory equipment, and we cannot guarantee that these tools will not be damaged, which poses a liability issue. Finally, the affiliated high school does not have a spacious classroom to accommodate our laboratory equipment. The original laboratory is insufficient for conducting molecular biology experiments, so we would need to find a new room to set up the laboratory. Given these hindrances, it is regrettable that we can not establish the laboratory at school.
(This is our proposal)
Meet up
Due to the limitations of establishing a molecular biology laboratory at AISSU, we attempted to establish connections with biology clubs from other schools to expand our influence and provide students with laboratory practice and dissemination of synthetic biology knowledge in a broader high school context.
As our team members come from various international schools, including SCIE, Guangzhou BASIS International School, International Curriculum Centre, and Futian BASIS International School, we utilized these team members to connect with iGEM teams and biochemical clubs within their respective schools. We successfully coordinated everyone's schedules for online meetings. We organized an online meetup where we shared a detailed proposal for "Setting Up a Molecular Laboratory" and the course outline developed by our school's clubs.
During the meeting, we gathered representatives from various high schools. We introduced synthetic biology to them, and shared our activities within our school, covering topics like DNA structure, recombinant technology, and regulatory principles. We inquired about their lab situations, the extent of synthetic biology knowledge, and their interest in promoting synthetic biology on their campuses. We gathered their current needs, including:
1. SCIE, which has a well-equipped lab, expressed interest in sharing course resources.
2. FUTIAN Basis International School has suitable lab equipment but needs to navigate the school's administrative procedures.
3. Guangzhou Basis International School, which lacks a lab, expressed challenges in securing funding and is in the process of applying and demonstrating the value of biology to school leadership.
After meetings and discussions, we came to an agreement: Rather than focusing solely on establishing a professional molecular biology lab, we believed that placing emphasis on sharing course outlines was more important. This approach provided every school with an opportunity to offer courses. Teaching materials, including PowerPoint presentations, not only enabled students with no prior knowledge to learn biological theory, laying the foundation for advanced laboratory work, but also allowed them to delve deeper into the mysteries of biology, promoting scientific literacy. Consequently, we collaborated with SCIE to create online course videos and shared course content resources and lab operation guidance with other schools.
This meetup not only received positive feedback from various schools but also expanded our avenues and audience for disseminating biological knowledge. The details of the meetup conference were recorded at the Tencent Meeting.
After hosting the meetup, we received valuable feedback. Other school clubs expressed a keen interest in establishing biology curricula and provided details about the basic infrastructure of their laboratories, aligning with our successful club activities. Furthermore, in collaboration with SCIE, we are recording online courses not only for sharing within our network but also for the broader public to explore their potential.
(This is a screenshot of the meeting)
(This is the course outline)
Online course
After the meetup, we hope to have a way to not only showcase experimental knowledge to students interested in biology but also to demonstrate the potential of synthetic biology to those who are unfamiliar with the subject. So, we have collaborated with SCIE igem team to create online courses aimed at sharing it with various biology clubs at different schools. This will further support activities related to synthetic biology and promote knowledge dissemination to the public on social platforms such as Bilibili, YouTube, and Xiaohongshu.
Advantages of our online courses:
1. Online courses break the limitations of time and space, making it convenient to revisit the content and share it with other schools to hold biological activities.
2. The courses are concise, with each session lasting around 5-15 minutes, allowing for the clear explanation of crucial concepts in synthetic biology within a short time.
3. The content is entirely in English, making it accessible not only in China but also to a global audience, thus expanding the reach.
Course content includes: - Session 1: DNA Structure and Function (AIS)
- Session 2: DNA Replication + Amplification Techniques (SCIE)
- Session 3: Gel Electrophoresis Principles (SCIE)
- Session 4: Central Dogma, Transcription, and Translation (SCIE)
- Session 5: Components and Genetic Circuits (SCIE)
- Session 6: Gene Regulation (AIS)
- Session 7: Assembly Techniques + Gene Editing (SCIE)
- Session 8: PCR(SCIE)
In summary, this online course, as an extension of the meetup, serves not only as a platform for sharing biology resources among schools but also as a means to introduce the potential of synthetic biology to the general public.
