Education and Communication

Education and science communication play pivotal roles in our project. Recognizing the importance of raising awareness about vector-borne diseases and the spread of communicable diseases among the general population, we engaged in extensive discussions with epidemiologists and researchers. As a result, we formulated a comprehensive plan to facilitate effective science communication.Our objective was to develop a comprehensive approach to science education, ensuring that individuals are well-informed about their surrounding environment. As the age-old saying goes, "Prevention is better than cure," our aim is to empower people with knowledge that enables them to proactively improve their quality of life.

In our region, the escalating mosquito population has become a growing menace, necessitating the implementation of efficient control measures. While governments and local authorities have made efforts to combat pandemic outbreaks, the need for structured scientific solutions, in collaboration with researchers, public health experts, epidemiologists, and the general public, has become increasingly apparent.

To bridge the existing gap between scientists and the general public, we created an informational booklet. This booklet presents the issue in simple, easy-to-understand language, ensuring that common people can grasp the fundamental concepts and gain a better understanding. Scientists and researchers have often been viewed as distant or inaccessible, with scientific jargon further alienating the public. Our goal is to facilitate a seamless flow of information between the scientific community and the general public, thereby promoting a more informed and engaged society.

Booklet

Comics : Fun and Frolic way to understand science

Fun and engagement have a remarkable impact on comprehension. It's inherently human to gravitate toward visually captivating content, a trait that's not limited to children. Even adults are drawn to colorful, engaging materials over dry, lengthy text. Recognizing this, we've developed a comic format to transform the act of reading into an enjoyable experience.

Our comics serve as a medium to convey information in a storytelling fashion, blending playfulness with knowledge. The illustrations in these comics are crafted with the primary goal of simplifying complex scientific concepts for the layperson while ensuring their undivided attention.

These comics are designed not just for students but for the general public who stand to benefit from our project. Our vision is to foster a more collaborative society where the public and researchers or scientists work hand in hand, providing mutual support and assistance.

Comic Book pdf

Wordplay Wonders : An inquisive tool to spark interest

Ordinarily, when people are bitten by mosquitoes, they tend to dismiss it and may not realize the potential risk of contracting communicable diseases. It's often only when they exhibit symptoms, require hospitalization, and undergo a series of tests that they become aware of the gravity of their health situation.

Infectious diseases such as Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya are typically perceived by the general public as distant afflictions that happen to strangers in far-off places, making them believe they are immune. To address this gap in awareness, we've developed some simple yet engaging wordplay and puzzle games. These games are designed to help individuals grasp the significance of infectious diseases while having an enjoyable experience.

We believe that when you learn something while being engaged, it tends to leave a lasting impression. With this in mind, games serve as a fun and effective way to educate people and foster greater awareness in the community.

Promoting general awareness and enhancing the popularity of science is the path forward

To disseminate our message, we created informative flyers and actively participated in an outreach event hosted by the University of Montpellier on September 21st, 2023 at Jardin des Plantes in Montpellier. These flyers were carefully crafted in plain language to ensure that people from all walks of life could easily comprehend the significance of a mosquito surveillance system. Our aim was to convey the importance of such a tracking system as the way forward in effectively managing and preventing pandemic outbreaks.

Communication

To enhance communication and outreach, we leveraged our social media platforms, specifically Instagram and Facebook, to spread the word about our project. On our Instagram page, we introduced the project, introduced our team members, and engaged with various interest groups.

During the project's inception, we had the privilege of delivering a presentation at the "Centre de Biologie Structurale" in Montpellier. Our audience included researchers, scientists, students, and trainees. The valuable feedback and suggestions we received during this seminar played a pivotal role in refining the finer details of our project.

We actively participated in the iGEM Nantes X Toulouse MeetUp held in Toulouse on June 21st and 22nd, 2023. At this event, we had the opportunity to present our research before a panel of judges and fellow iGEM teams. Our presentation earned us the prestigious "Best Presentation Award." This MeetUp was also a valuable platform for networking with other iGEM teams and gaining deeper insights into our project.

To provide a comprehensive overview of our project, we created a presentation video in both English and French, ensuring that we reached a broader audience and communicated our project's objectives effectively.

Public Education and Engagement