Education
Introduction
The iGEM competition stands on the pillars of raising awareness, advancing the field of synthetic biology and promoting education. Genetic engineering is, in many ways, seen as the key to unlocking solutions to many contemporary global challenges.
However, despite the significant strides made in the past decade, a gap is still present between the scientific community and the general public. This void is primarily a consequence of the complicated scientific jargon that often accompanies synthetic biology. We believe bridging this communicative gap requires proactive educational outreach from the scientific community to the broader public.
Within the confines of our time frame and capabilities, we have managed to set up several educational activities for diverse audiences. Central to our mission is the belief in the importance of introducing synthetic biology concepts to students at a young age. This early exposure provides them with foundational knowledge that serves as a scaffold for understanding more complex concepts in the future. We hope that this introduction also ignites a spark of curiosity in them, possibly inspiring them to explore the field of synthetic biology as a lifelong interest or even a future career. Perhaps they will one day become the next generation of iGEM participants. In this section, we invite you to follow along in our educational journey, where we have attempted to introduce diverse target groups to synthetic biology.
Trip to the Primary School:
Inspiring Young Minds with DNA Education
In our effort to encourage children to cultivate an early interest in science, we embarked on an educational journey to a Dutch primary school where we taught a curious group of children aged between 8 and 10 years old. Our mission: to demystify the intricate world of DNA, making it accessible and fascinating for these scientists in the making. The guest lesson revolved around the fundamental principles of how DNA and inheritance function.
Exploring Inheritance: Who Do You Resemble?
Prior to our guest lesson, the children were given a homework assignment, which involved observing and noting certain traits present in themselves and their immediate family members, including parents, grandparents, and siblings. During the lesson, we discussed their findings, and this provided the perfect transition into introducing the concept of dominant and recessive inheritance. The students eagerly participated in discussions about why they might share certain traits with their family members and how genetics played a pivotal role in determining their physical characteristics.
To make the lesson engaging and interactive, we incorporated real-life examples of DNA inheritance. The children were presented with different scenarios, prompting them to deduce how traits are passed down from one generation to the next. This hands-on approach allowed the students to actively participate in the learning process and solidify their understanding of this complex subject. One particularly exciting activity involved the completion of an unfinished DNA code. The students were introduced to the four essential bases of DNA.
The DNA Alphabet
The four bases of DNA are Adenine (A), Thymine (T), Cytosine (C), and Guanine (G).
Armed with this knowledge, they were tasked with filling in the complementary bases to complete the DNA sequence. This exercise not only enhanced their comprehension of DNA’s structure but also introduced the concept of mutations in a simple and relatable manner.
Throughout the guest lesson, the children's enthusiasm was evident. They were genuinely intrigued by the practical aspects of genetics and enthusiastically raised questions about how this newfound knowledge could be applied in real-life situations. They discussed phenomena like their dog having two different colored eyes and the occurrence of grey hair in later life. The children displayed especially great interest in the context of forensic crime scenes. Their curiosity led to a discussion about whether it is possible to differentiate between identical twins to determine potential criminal involvement, as well as an exploration of the various types of biological samples found at crime scenes that could be utilized in forensic research.
DNA Isolation
One of the highlights of our visit was a hands-on experiment that allowed the children to isolate and visualize their own DNA. First, buccal cells from the inside of their mouths were collected and dissolved in a mild solution of 1X PBS. The children watched in wonder as the cells were broken down with simple dish soap. Next came the most thrilling part - DNA precipitation. Isopropanol was added to the solution, causing the DNA to bind together and become visible. The students gazed in amazement at the tiny strands of DNA material that had materialized before their eyes. This experiment left a lasting impression on the students, showcasing that DNA is not an abstract concept confined to textbooks but a tangible part of their own bodies. They learned that DNA isolation techniques are not only fascinating but also serve important real-world purposes, such as in crime investigation or disease detection.
Conclusion
In conclusion, our trip to the primary school was a rewarding experience both for us and the young learners. We ignited their curiosity about genetics, introduced them to the marvels of DNA, and left them with a deeper appreciation for the science that surrounds them every day. By fostering their interest in genetics at this young age, we hope to inspire the next generation of scientists who will one day unlock even more secrets of the DNA code.
Teaching Vocational Students
Igniting Curiosity and Scientific Discovery in the Classroom
On the 19th of September, our team visited Yuverta, a vocational school in Helmond, where we had the privilege of conducting an interactive guest lesson for para-veterinary students. Recognizing the importance of aligning our lesson with their curriculum, we tailored our approach to resonate with their field of study.
Yuverta's students are pursuing careers in para-veterinary studies, and we saw an opportunity to create a lesson that directly related to their future profession. To engage them into the lesson, we presented a case involving multiple dogs exhibiting similar symptoms of a bacterial infection in an animal clinic. Their task was to investigate whether this infection stemmed from the same bacterial strain and whether there was an outbreak within the clinic. This practical scenario not only captured their attention but also demonstrated the real-world relevance of molecular biology techniques.
Customizing the Lesson to Their Curriculum
As this was the students' initial exposure to molecular biology techniques, we began by explaining plasmid-transfer methods in bacteria, explaining how bacteria can acquire antibiotic resistance. This foundation served as an introduction for the rest of the lesson. The students were introduced to the concept of gel electrophoresis as a method to assess antibiotic resistance in bacteria. They had the opportunity for a hands-on experience, loading their own gel with a micropipette, which was a new and exciting experience for many.
Our approach
Our approach aimed to bridge the gap between theory and practice. By demonstrating how molecular biology techniques were applied in a real-world context, we ensured that the students grasped the relevance of these methods to their future careers.
Addressing Ethical and Safety Concerns
As we delved into the world of synthetic biology, the students' curiosity led to questions about ethics and safety in genetic modification. We explained the use of kill switches to mitigate the risks associated with genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and briefly touched on additional safety measures in laboratory settings. We emphasized the importance of caution and adherence to safety protocols when working with GMOs, underlining the responsibility that comes with scientific exploration.
The students shared their past experiences of losing interest when scientific concepts became overly complicated. Our approach, characterized by simplicity, practicality, and direct relevance to their education, resonated with them. our interactive guest lesson at Yuverta demonstrated the power of tailored education. By aligning our lesson with the students' vocational path, we not only captured their interest but also provided them with practical knowledge and insights.
What did it bring us?
For us, this experience highlighted the importance of simplicity, relevance, and real-world applications in science education.
Lecture for University Students
Providing and Receiving New Insights
As part of our iGEM experience we recently held an open lecture at our university. Beyond presenting our own project, we recognized this lecture as a unique opportunity to introduce our peers, professors and friends to the field of synthetic biology. The Maastricht Science Program provides education within several sciences such as physics, biology and chemistry. This resulted in an audience with diverse backgrounds, as the lecture was open for everyone to come.
Our primary aim during this lecture was to render synthetic biology accessible and engaging to various age groups and academic backgrounds spanning audience. We approached this by introducing synthetic biology as a harmonious blend of multiple fields. Using our project as an example of the many ongoing and fascinating projects, we showed how synthetic biology can contribute to environmental sustainability, driving a shift towards a more eco-friendly and sustainable future, as well as how it can provide solutions to other worldwide problems.
In the lecture, we touched upon the ethical aspects associated with synthetic biology, underlining the significance of responsible and cautious behavior in its application and advancement. Our discussions delved into why such ethical considerations are vital, how synthetic biology carries inherent risks and offered insights into effective risk mitigation strategies.
We also discussed how cultural heritage sites, especially the ones consisting of limestone, face significant damage due to environmental factors, pollution and the passage of time. By intertwining the importance of cultural heritage preservation with synthetic biology to such a diverse audience, we aimed to underline the need of interdisciplinary collaboration.
We were thrilled to see the positive response from the audience, with many expressing interest for both cultural heritage preservation and the world of synthetic biology as the auditorium was filled with questions and feedback. As we continue on this exciting journey, our hope is to improve collaboration between several disciplines.
Collaboration with Biotechnologie.nl
Engaging a Diverse Audience
Our collaboration with Biotechnologie.nl, an educational website published by NEMO Kennislink and supported by the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, has provided us with a unique opportunity to educate a wide and diverse audience. Biotechnologie.nl is dedicated to making science accessible to both young and old, regardless of their background knowledge in the field. They focus on covering the latest trends and developments in biotechnology, emphasizing values such as curiosity, accessibility, engagement, confidentiality, and activation. Through various content formats like blogs, Q&A's, news articles, and interviews, they strive to bridge the gap between science and the general public.
A National Tradition
Biotechnologie.nl has a tradition of inviting iGEM teams from the Netherlands to contribute by posting blogs about their journey during the competition. After a selection process, our team was fortunate to be given the opportunity to publish our insights on their platform. This partnership not only allowed us to showcase our project to a broader audience, but also served as a means to educate readers about the iGEM competition and the field of synthetic biology.
A Series of Informative Blogs
Over the course of several months, we have been contributing a series of four blogs to Biotechnologie.nl. Three of these blogs have already been published, with the fourth scheduled to be released after the Grand Jamboree, which will be its main topic. In these blogs, we have made a concerted effort to explain the technology behind our project in a way that is understandable for individuals of all ages, whether or not they have a background in science. We have strived to minimize the use of technical jargon and, when necessary, provided clear explanations while maintaining scientific accuracy. Our readers have been taken on a journey through the research process, starting from the beginning of our project and continuing through to the laboratory work.
Our collaboration with Biotechnologie.nl has allowed us to engage a large audience with great diversity, making the complexities of synthetic biology accessible and intriguing. We have communicated the essence of our iGEM project, fostering curiosity and understanding among readers from various backgrounds and age groups. Through this partnership, we hope to inspire the next generation of scientists and science enthusiasts, demonstrating that science is an exciting and inclusive journey for everyone.
ABCDna
An updated approach to teaching synthetic biology
Throughout our research for this project, we observed that explaining the concept of DNA origami verbally, rather than visually, often makes it challenging to grasp. As visuals often help in comprehending a completely new subject, especially as complex as DNA origami, our first reflex was to look for clear and precise animations on the internet explaining the concept in enough depth.
However, we encountered an issue that is quite common when researching and trying to understand specific scientific subjects on the internet for the first time: existing videos were either too long and confusing or overly simplified. Faced with this challenge, we decided to take matters into our own hands and create the educational videos ourselves. We attempted to solve this issue by developing a series of educational short animated videos that cover both project-relevant subjects, like DNA origami, as well as other broader topics like bacteriophages. We are planning on continuing the release of these educational videos in the future.
Our strategy is to present overviews of scientific topics to our target audience—users of social media, particularly Instagram. As one of the most used social platforms worldwide, Instagram is an important tool to communicate concepts and knowledge and share them to a large amount of users. Our scripts are designed to be easily understandable while maintaining the academic foundation of our content in order to match the rhythm that Instagram users often follow when using the app. The animations used a simple, sketchy appearance that was intended to grab the audience's attention.
The title of our animated series is ABCDna. Its short, simple title communicates the straightforward, even elementary aspect of our rendition of these biology-related topics. There are many potential concepts that our series could cover in the near future. Our artistic design team will attempt to explain to our audience the following:
- General Biology related topics, like general cellular processes, microorganisms and genetics;
- Synthetic Biology related topics: introduction to GMOs, transformation, and main genetical engineering lab protocols;
- SublimeStone-related topics, like bio-mineralisation and the functioning of our kill switch.
In order to learn what concepts might be more interesting to our audience than others, our social media page conducts surveys after the publishing of each film. The survey offers a variety of choices for potential new animations, along with the opportunity for our followers to share their ideas and express their interest for specific concepts they wish to explore more deeply.
SRAL Interview
Consulting local experts
At the beginning of our project we had the opportunity to interview Kate Seymour, art historian and current Head of Education at Stichting Restauratie Atelier Limburg (SRAL). We discussed current restoration methods and talked about the influence synthetic biology can have on the world of restoration. As a valuable component of our educational voyage, we have made this video available to the public on YouTube, accompanied by subtitles to ensure its accessibility to a wide and diverse audience.