Abstract

In our endeavor to enhance the inclusivity of our team projects, we have embarked on numerous initiatives in the realm of human practice. Our aim is to extend the benefits of our project to a broader range of individuals, spanning from the very young, preschoolers, to the elderly, octogenarians. We conscientiously consider the requirements of special interest groups, endeavoring to transcend the constraints of time and space in the dissemination of scientific knowledge at all levels of education. We aspire to make a substantial contribution not only to the iGEM Community but also to the global community. We actively seek collaborations both domestically and abroad, with our human practice endeavors extending across the continents. It is our fervent hope that our dedicated efforts will bring benefits to a multitude of individuals.

For Special Group

Black-and-white Book:SynbioRainbow

Among the three picture books we’ve crafted, a monochromatic tome has been uniquely tailored for the benefit of children with distinct needs. Its primary objective is twofold: to heighten children’s discernment of colors and to spread knowledge about synthetic biology, thereby allowing a wider audience to savor the charm of this field. Collaborating closely with teams from China, India, Spain, and beyond, we’ve undertaken the noble task of distributing these picture books to children on the autism spectrum, those with hearing impairments, and children affected by Down syndrome, among other groups. The pioneering force behind this endeavor is the Ocean University of China Team, known as OUC-China. During our participation in the CCiC event, we cemented a partnership and collectively christened our venture as SynbioRainbow.

The black-and-white book we made is simple and has easy pictures that explain our project to encourage children’s creativity during the coloring process. Our team transported HBUT-China and UM-Macau’s picture books the Boyue Hearing Rehabilitation Center in Mahu. Here, students adorned our picture books with vibrant hues while immersing themselves in the narrative woven within.

Picture Books Donation

The remaining two illustrated books were thoughtfully printed and donated to the children of the Mahu Boyue Auditory Rehabilitation Center. Our aspiration is that by delving into these visual narratives, they might garner insights into biological concepts, promote discerning dietary choices, elevate linguistic and reading proficiencies, depict the tapestry of cultural diversities, convey the ethos of inclusivity, kindle joy, foster social engagements, and imbue them with a sense of societal responsibility — truly encapsulating the volunteer spirit of ‘dedication, fraternity, mutual aid, and advancement.’ This initiative not only enriches their intellectual reservoir but also cultivates a heightened awareness of well-being and a perspective of inclusiveness, providing invaluable scaffolding for their academic pursuits and interpersonal interactions. It is our fervent hope that the content within these pages will sow the seeds of biological curiosity in their young minds.

For Juvenile Group

Kindergarten Class

In June, at the affiliated kindergarten of Hubei University of Technology, we orchestrated an enlightening scientific lecture "The Microbial Kingdom." This initiative was meticulously crafted for preschoolers, with the intent of navigating the fascinating realm of microbes in a manner most endearing to them, fostering a deeper appreciation and understanding of biological wonders. Adopting a child-centric perspective, we journeyed with the young ones into the hidden microbial wonders that surround them. Throughout this discourse, we incorporated an interactive Q&A segment, stimulating their innate curiosity and honing their cognitive prowess. Our exposition spanned from the yeasts in bread to the bacteria causing tooth decay, invariably anchoring our insights to familiar everyday wonders, allowing the children to truly grasp the enchantment of biology. Upon the culmination of the educational segment, we ushered in a hands-on crafting session, blending the joys of creation with intriguing knowledge absorption. Given that our project’s pinnacle achievement is lycopene, a substance abundantly found in tomatoes, we opted for crafting clay tomatoes to enhance the interactive learning experience. Guiding them through this, we illuminated the anatomy of a tomato, acquainting them with its myriad components, from leaves to the fruit itself, all culminating into the marvelous creations they crafted. The endeavor was designed to embrace every child, fostering their creative instincts while ensuring an enlightening learning journey.

For Youth Group

Xiangyang Zhiyuan High School

In August, Hongying Zeng from the Human Practice team returned to her high school, Zhiyuan High School, in Xiangyang, Hubei, to give an iGEM educational outreach. The mission was twofold: to impart the intricacies of the iGEM competition and to shed light on the pantheon of laboratory apparatus. We endeavored to acquaint high school students with the multidisciplinary tapestry of the iGEM contest, aiming to ignite an ardor for synthetic biology, beckoning them to immerse themselves in its captivating realm during their impending university years. Recognizing the circumscribed scope of high school biology curricula, we curated our presentation to illuminate those laboratory tools ubiquitous in textbooks yet elusive in hands-on experience. Given the rarity of biological labs in local high schools, we utilized vivid demonstrations through video accompanied by literary expositions to elucidate the workings of instruments like PCR, centrifuges, and vertical pressure steam sterilizers. Our ambition was to augment their biological lexicon, hoping this newfound wisdom would stand them in good stead in their academic and life pursuits, allowing them to truly fathom the allure of biological sciences. Upon the culmination of the educational segment, Hongying Zeng regaled them with tales of her collegiate journey and her profound insights into choosing a major in synthetic biology. We extolled the discipline’s vast potential and intrigue, urging students to weigh the merits of biological studies when sculpting their academic futures, thereby exploring the deeper enchantments the field holds. Through this lecture, our aspiration was to cast a wider net, beckoning more luminous minds to the iGEM competition, thereby invigorating the iGEM Community and opening the gates of this inclusive and innovative competition to an even broader audience.

Hainan Nongken Middle School

In August, Han Yi from the Team wiki took a sentimental journey back to his alma mater, Nongken High School, to orchestrate a riveting discourse on iGEM. As an enthusiast immersed in computer science, the iGEM competition’s "interdisciplinary" deeply resonated with him. His high school years saw him entwined in biological competitions; thus, his collegiate odyssey into computer science, coupled with his continued dalliance with biology-themed contests, came as a delightful serendipity. Within the vibrant tapestry of the iGEM Community, he was afforded the privilege of engaging with luminaries from diverse academic fields, enriching not only his computer science prowess but also partaking in enlightening exchanges on software development with various teams. During his oration, Han Yi illuminated the intricacies of the iGEM competition, shedding light on his indispensable role as a computer science aficionado within the team, encompassing tasks like intricate web development and designing bespoke mini-programs. He underscored the imperative of bolstering one’s multifaceted acumen, especially in this era marked by academic confluences, to etch a unique personal legacy. His eloquent exposition allowed the high school attendees to grasp the multidisciplinary essence of the iGEM competition. Post-presentation, many were galvanized to engage in spirited dialogues with Han Yi, seeking deeper insights. Many voiced their burgeoning aspirations to plunge into this competition in their university years and further immerse themselves in the depths of biological knowledge. Such an inclusive outreach not only amplified the ethos of the iGEM competition but also kindled fervor for interdisciplinary collaboration among these young academicians, thereby sowing the seeds for a future replete with multifaceted innovators.

For Adult Group

University Lecture

In June, in our endeavor to disseminate the essence of HBUT-China team’s competition and synthetic biology to a wider student audience, we tapped into the illustrious platform provided by the School of Bioengineering and Food Science’s Yanlin Innovation, orchestrating an enlightening scientific outreach lecture. Throughout this discourse, we elucidated the nuances of our competition, particularly spotlighting our esteemed project,CRISPR/Cas12a gene editing technology transformation of Corynebacterium glutamicum and using straw bio-based high yield lycopene. We talked to our audience about synthetic biology. We wanted them to understand it better and share their thoughts. Our goal was not just to talk about our project but also to inspire young people. fostering an elementary understanding of becoming an integral part of the iGEM initiative. The event was conceived to cultivate an inclusive atmosphere, inviting students of diverse backgrounds and calibers to partake, thereby fanning the flames of their ardor and comprehension for synthetic biology. We planned the event to be open to all students, no matter their background. We aspire that such ventures will unveil the vast horizons of synthetic biology, beckoning more young minds to immerse themselves in this exhilarating domain, contributing their invaluable talents to the future tapestry of scientific advancement.

Charitable activities

Love charity sale

In September, our dedicated team embarked on a heartwarming endeavor by setting up a stall within our academic grounds to orchestrate a benevolent charity sale. We showcased an array of bespoke merchandise crafted by our ensemble: badges adorned with our emblematic team logo, stickers featuring the captivating visage of our mascot, Lycopene, and keychains illustrating eight delightful expressions of Lycopene. With a strategic intent of ‘minimal profit, voluminous sales,’ we deliberately pegged the prices to an accessible range, ensuring that anyone drawn to our mission could effortlessly engage with us. This altruistic initiative aimed not solely at amplifying the outreach of our project and its ensuing benefits, but also at accumulating funds to bolster China’s youthful populace. The proceeds from this magnanimous sale were pledged to the Hubei Provincial Youth Development Foundation, ensuring that myriad children could partake in superior educational opportunities. Through this gesture, we aspire to foster the growth of China’s young minds, epitomizing our team’s inclusivity and profound societal commitment.

For Elderly Group

Geracomium Popularization Of Science

In July, the HBUT-China team, in collaboration with the CUG-China, went to an elderly care home, bearing knowledge and warmth to accompany the venerable residents. As the younger generation, akin to the grandchildren of many of these elders, we reveled in honoring and venerating the aged, thus upholding the quintessential virtues of Chinese tradition, infusing a touch of ‘intergenerational’ warmth to them. Our dual brigades convened at the Lions Mountain Street Elderly Service Center in Hongshan District, holding enlightening mini-seminars for seniors aged between 50 and 95. Light exercise session were interspersed within, ensuring that the elders were physically engaged and invigorated, warding off ennui. Such an approach kindled their curiosity towards knowledge. Our discourse predominantly revolved around health supplements, tailored to resonate with the elders’ lifestyles. With lucidity and grace, we conveyed our specialized knowledge, allowing them to imbibe and revel in the benefits of biological wisdom in their quotidian lives. Venturing into the elderly care home was not merely an act of reverence and affection towards the elderly. It was instrumental in understanding their perspectives on aging and their stance on antioxidants. Such insights are pivotal in refining our projects, ensuring the high-yield lycopene has practical applications, addressing the challenges brought about by an aging population. We are unwaveringly committed to make an inclusive society, integrating individuals from disparate age brackets into this fruitful exchange, envisioning a brighter horizon for our collective futures.

Charity Donation

Our team has meticulously curated a collection of books, encompassing both the timeless masterpieces of world literature and in-depth explorations into China’s five-thousand-year history. Recognizing that behind every book lies the sacrifice of a forest, we opted for second-hand volumes. This choice was driven not just by our commitment to lessen the environmental impact, but also to share the allure of rediscovering wisdom within the pages of old books. Moreover, this decision empowered us to acquire a broader selection within our budgetary constraints. In the end, these invaluable literary treasures were donated to the children at the Ma Lake Bo Yue Auditory Rehabilitation Center. It is our fervent hope that through these pages, they might immerse themselves in the profound depths of literature and the rich tapestry of history, enriching their childhood with knowledge and delight.

Social media

In response to prevailing social media trends in China, we handpicked two prominent platforms to broadcast our team’s bespoke videos. Given the prolific traffic and nurturing programs for creators on China’s TikTok variant (Douyin), and the Bilibili platform, they emerged as our chosen conduits. Aligning with the contemporary zeitgeist of ‘micro-video culture’, our content was predominantly succinct, ensuring audiences could assimilate impactful knowledge within fleeting moments. During the crafting process, we interwove elements of levity, ensuring that the imparted knowledge remained vibrant, devoid of tedium. Promulgating knowledge on such platforms is not merely an act of dissemination but a profound exercise in inclusivity. It dismantles the bastions of knowledge barriers, seamlessly ferrying pivotal tenets of science, health, and environmental stewardship to an expansive audience, thereby elevating societal scientific literacy. Through the lens of social media, knowledge knows no age, background, or boundary, granting a vast populace the privilege to access and disseminate wisdom. This not only broadens horizons but kindles passions, fostering a sense of community and catalyzing public engagement, all of which fortify the edifice of an inclusive society. In the realm of social platforms, knowledge dissemination morphs into bridges of sharing, learning, and interaction, ushering in a renaissance of enlightenment for a vast swath of humanity.