Education

We believe that science should not be limited to theory and experiments but should also focus on communication and connection with the entire society. Therefore, our Human Practice team aims to create a positive social impact that encompasses all age groups, and we consider promoting the scientific spirit and knowledge our responsibility.

This year, our team plans to gradually expand our positive influence in the community to better promote synthetic biology. Our education program includes various activities both on and off campus.

Firstly, we have designed Braille picture books and distributed them to schools and libraries, meeting the needs of visually impaired individuals as well as other children. These books not only feature tactile elements but also include rich three-dimensional illustrations that bring stories to life through touch. Our goal is to nurture an interest in synthetic biology among young readers.

Secondly, we have embarked on creating music inspired by synthetic biology, combining scientific concepts with melodies. These songs are not only educational but also entertaining, aiming to stimulate the imagination of students and enthusiasts. We have established the first Synthetic Biology Music Club, where students can explore the fusion of science and music, compose their own songs, and share their creations.

Additionally, we have organized various educational activities within the school. We have formed our own club, allowing more students interested in synthetic biology to participate, engage in hands-on experiments, and gain a deeper understanding of the subject.

Finally, our team is dedicated to publicizing our initiatives to the broader society. We share articles and videos related to our Braille books,synthetic biology songs, and other educational endeavors on various social media platforms. Our goal is to raise awareness and inspire others to join us in making knowledge and art inclusive for all.

Because we want synthetic biology and iGEM to impact people in various fields of society, we've designed braille picture books for younger children. Considering that children have limited prior knowledge, we've only introduced the basic concepts of DNA and proteins in these books. The content is presented not only in text but also in braille, accompanied by flat illustrations and three-dimensional models, helping children better understand the fundamentals of synthetic biology and experiencing the joy it brings. We also covered the history of DNA and designed numerous interactive mini-games within the picture book, enabling children to learn about and comprehend synthetic biology in an entertaining manner.







Figure 1, 2, 3, 4. The braille picture books that we designed

We've embarked on the creation of songs with synthetic biology as their central theme, intertwining scientific concepts with music. These songs serve as a unique bridge between science and the arts, blending intricate scientific knowledge with the melodies that resonate with the soul. Our aim is to not only educate but also entertain, engaging students and enthusiasts alike in an imaginative journey where the wonders of synthetic biology come to life through the power of music. Within the framework of our Synthetic Biology Music project, we've formed the first-ever Synthetic Biology Music Club. Here, students have the opportunity to delve into the fusion of science and music, crafting their own compositions, and sharing their creations with the world. Through these harmonious melodies, we hope to inspire a deeper appreciation for the beauty and potential of synthetic biology.


Figure 5. music score for synthbio

This year, we continue the BioGem(Biology + iGEM), a discipline competition club created last year. The main purpose of our club is to popularize synthetic biology and build a platform for middle and high school students to exchange synthetic biology. We use the club to stimulate students' interest in synthetic biology.

Before the event started, our team members had several meetings and designed different activities. These activities are suitable for every club member, including students in grades 7 through 11. Planned activities include the construction of ecological jars, identification of reducing sugars, fats, and proteins in biological tissues, dissecting mussels, observing the growth of bacteria in petri dishes, crude extraction of DNA, exploring the effect of temperature on enzyme activity, and extraction and isolation of pigments from chloroplasts, while also helping to strengthen and broaden students' knowledge of biology materials.


Figure 6. DNA crude extraction experiment
We have also experimented with crude DNA extraction, which can expose previously invisible DNA to us, which is the essence of synthetic biology. Club members are very interested in and actively participate in their own hands-on experiments.

In the club activities, we were surprised to find that many junior high school students joined the club because of their extreme desire and love for this field of study. As planners of club events, we not only love what we do, but we are also happy to see that the context and events of our organization are close to our goals. Let students better understand the connotation of synthetic biology, so as to join the research team of synthetic biology.


Figure 7. photo of club activities

To expand the reach of IGEM and synthetic biology, we combined this year's inclusivity's special focus group, people with visual impairments, to create a display on the school's main street for students, teachers, and members of the community.

There were many students and teachers who praised our presentation and showed great interest in the exhibition. With this exhibition, we are not only expanding our reach, but also promoting synthetic biology, and more importantly, we are raising awareness for people with visual impairments.





Figure 8, 9, 10. Our display board and the students who came to view it

During this period, we have been continuously publishing our own public number articles. In the early stage, we visited the library of the blind and interviewed them, and also held a "dark hour" activity in the school. We start from the school, and gradually let the whole society bring more attention to the visually impaired people. We also published relevant public number articles.


Figure 11. Published on the Public Account of Visiting the Blind Library

Figure 12. Publish on the public account of the "Dark Hour for the Blind" activity

We also went to Sanlitun to do an interview survey, and followed up our arrangement of the experiment according to the feedback of the road people. Our theme this year is to improve the efficiency of enzyme degradation of nicotine. We will also summarize the survey results and publish an article on the public account.


Figure 13. The Publication of Sanlitun Street Survey Results Analysis on the Public Account
Finally, we have published a series of public account articles on the topic of blind scientists, hoping to enlighten you.


Figure 14. Publication of the Blind Scientist's Article on the Public Account

Our goal is to disseminate the knowledge of synthetic biology to the society and assist chefs and fitness professionals in understanding human nutritional needs by designing healthy diet recipes.

We will start by conducting in-depth research on the human body's requirements for various nutrients, including proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Understanding these requirements forms the foundation for creating healthy diet plans.

Utilizing the knowledge of synthetic biology, we will develop innovative recipes based on natural ingredients, emphasizing the quality of food and its benefits to the human body.

In addition to providing recipes and recommendations, we will actively promote the understanding of synthetic biology in relation to food and health. We will explain how food affects the body and how it can be improved through synthetic biology methods in an easy-to-understand manner.

Through these efforts, our aim is to provide valuable information about healthy eating to society, bridging the concepts of synthetic biology with real-life applications to enhance people's quality of life and overall health.


Figure 15. Nutritional Recipes for the Main Audience Targeting Fat Reduction


Figure 16. Nutritional Recipes Tailored for Fitness Enthusiasts、

We have also conducted educational outreach for other service professional, such as the janitorial staff in school. Our aim is to educate them on minimizing the irritants of disinfectants while ensuring optimal disinfection and sterilization effects, thereby reducing potential health hazards to students.
To achieve this, we provide comprehensive training sessions that cover the following topics in detail:


· Optimal Disinfection Techniques: We educate janitorial staff on the most effective and safe disinfection methods. This includes teaching them the correct dilution ratios and application techniques for various disinfectants to maximize their efficiency while minimizing their impact on indoor air quality.

· Understanding Disinfectant Properties: We provide detailed information about different disinfectant substances, their chemical properties, and their potential health effects. By understanding the composition of disinfectants, janitorial staff can make informed decisions about their usage.

· Reducing Irritation and Harmful Effects: We emphasize strategies to minimize the irritative effects of disinfectants. This includes proper ventilation techniques, using personal protective equipment (such as gloves and masks), and selecting disinfectants with lower toxicity profiles.

In our educational activities, we target different occupational groups. We use the community fun, let students participate in the experiment and feel the experiment to increase students' interest in learning. Braille picture books provide biological enlightenment for kindergarten and primary school students. The school's demonstration activities let many students and teachers know about our projects and experiments; For young people in society, our scientists tweet to help them better understand those who contribute to the discipline of biology.