Alma Mater - Raising Insight in Budding Minds

Following Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam's words, we, Team iGEM REC-CHENNAI, focused on sharing and passing our knowledge to our next generation. Our team was delighted to join young minds and teach them about the environment's problems and how they can be solved.

Agarwal Vidyashram:

We embarked on an exhilarating journey to Agarwal Vidyashram, where young minds, brimming with curiosity, awaited us. These students, in grades 6th to 8th, became our eager participants. We ignited their imagination with a discussion on the wonders of biotechnology and its pivotal role in mitigating climate change. Our presentation cast a spotlight on the elusive greenhouse gases and their profound impact on our planet's delicate balance. Our journey commenced by introducing our academic abode, Rajalakshmi Engineering College (REC), followed by a glimpse into the transformative world of iGEM - International Genetically Engineered Machine. We navigated the intricate terrain of DNA, the very essence of life, ensuring that our young companions grasped its fundamental mysteries. The crescendo of our interaction was a spellbinding DNA separation experiment.
As these budding scientists beheld the building blocks of life, their eyes sparkled with wonder. Many were not just content with this revelation; they raced home to replicate the experiment, ignited by the flames of curiosity.
Amid the experiments, we posed questions about greenhouse gases and climate change, unearthing a treasure trove of inquisitive minds eager to explore further and make a difference. The accolades from the school's faculty members resounded like a standing ovation, validating our mission. They urged us to continue illuminating the path for the next generation, making us feel like torchbearers of knowledge and inspiration.

Rajalakshmi Vidyashram Matriculation Higher Secondary School: :

In a symphony of education and inspiration, our iGEM REC-CHENNAI team embarked on an enchanting journey with 10th and 12th-grade students from Rajalakshmi Vidyashram Matriculation Higher Secondary School. We introduced them to the world of knowledge, commencing with the rhythmic introduction of Rajalakshmi Engineering College (REC) and the fundamental concepts of iGEM - a realm where scientific dreams take flight.
To orchestrate the learning, we conducted a beautiful symphony of modules. Students were harmoniously grouped into teams of eight, each a unique note in our composition. The melody of education began with the principles of recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology, a crescendo of understanding guided by a practical demonstration of streaking.
In our harmonious composition, we integrated engaging games. The quiz session was like a challenging sonata, urging students to think critically and embrace new concepts. "Connexion" was a delightful minute, connecting images into meaningful words, a dance of visual understanding in the world of life science. The crossword puzzles were our poetic verses, nurturing critical thinking and expanding the vocabulary of these young minds.
As a sweet encore, winning students were given seed pencils, a gift from our cherished partners, the Enactus club at Rajalakshmi Engineering College. Our finale was an environmental ode, as we distributed CO-absorbing plant samples, including Tulasi(Ocimum tenuiflorum) and Karpooravalli(Plectranthus amboinicus), nurturing awareness about environmental sustainability. Our symphony of education and responsibility concluded, leaving behind a melodious echo of knowledge and environmental harmony.

Orphan Hoods - Reaching the Unreached

The state of the society is not only in the hands of young minds in the schools or colleges. There is another important place where we can take our knowledge and share it with them for a prospective future. The place is Orphanage. This place also has young and fledgling minds that want to know and explore new things. We, Team iGEM REC-CHENNAI, on the site of taking the education to each and every child visited the orphanages “Nandavanam Shelter Home”of Gold Heart Foundation and shared our thoughts and knowledge with the children.

Nandavanam Shelter Home (Adyar):

Our engagement with the students began with an introduction to team REC-CHENNAI and the International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition, setting the stage for an enlightening educational experience. To make learning engaging, we organized the students into teams and initiated a captivating quest where they hunted for colored balls, representing CO₂ molecules, hidden strategically both inside and around the orphanage. The team with the most "captured" CO₂ balls earned the title of "Capturers of CO₂," adding a competitive edge to the learning process.
To infuse energy and enthusiasm, we orchestrated a game of musical chairs, providing moments of joy and fun. Then, we introduced a balloon activity, where the children blew up balloons, symbolizing the release of CO₂. This interactive exercise helped us segue into explaining the purpose of our project and presenting our solution to environmental challenges. As our event concluded, we left the children inspired and motivated to become responsible individuals contributing to global solutions, with a shared goal of making the world a better place for all.

Nandavanam Shelter Home (Kolathur):

At the orphanage, our mission was to educate and engage a diverse range of children, spanning from 2 to 19 years old. We began by introducing them to our college, Rajalakshmi Engineering College, and the iGEM competition. Their enthusiasm and attentive demeanor set a positive tone for the event. The highlight of the day was the "Treasure Hunt" game, where we divided the children into groups, each assigned a distinct color. Their curiosity and active participation added excitement to the game. As the game concluded, we presented them with a treasure - tree and plant saplings, symbolizing the importance of clean and pure air for our environment.
Our next activity was a creative one, involving drawing pictures of the Earth with messages to save our planet. The children joyfully embraced this task, and we gifted them with sketching materials to encourage their artistic expressions. While they drew, we shared insights about human activities harming the environment and encouraged them to make choices that ensure a better future. To convey the message of climate crises, we performed a mime skit in three parts. It depicted deforestation, the impact of global warming on polar bears and ice lands, and the positive change brought by reducing CO₂ emissions.
The children enjoyed the skit and learned about global warming's effects and the actions we can take, such as tree planting and reducing CO₂ emitting vehicles, to protect our planet.

Beyond Blues:

Our team organized an outreach program at Edwards Elliot Beach in Chennai with the primary goal of educating the general public on two significant topics: synthetic biology (synbio) and climate crises. Specifically, we focused on the issues of ocean acidification and climate change caused by CO₂ emissions.

Interactive Games

This was a card game designed to engage people of all ages. In this game, two participants would play together. One person would hold a cue card with a word written on it, and the other person had to act out or describe the word to help the first person guess it correctly. This game not only entertained participants but also introduced them to key concepts related to your outreach topics.

Geared Towards Kids and Teens, this Engaging Activity Featured Origami Boat-Making. Our team guided participants in crafting these charming paper boats. As a token of appreciation, each participant received a special logo sticker from our iGEM team. This hands-on and imaginative exercise added a fun twist to learning about our important topics, making it a memorable experience for our younger audience.

A variation of the classic Tic-Tac-Toe game, this activity incorporated questions related to climate crises and global warming. Participants answered these questions, and the first person to provide a correct answer earned the opportunity to place their card (either CO₂ or Ship) on the game board. This interactive game encouraged participants to test their knowledge and learn more about the issues at hand.

In addition to the games, our team set up a kiosk where you conducted presentations and interacted with the public. During these presentations, we likely discussed various aspects of synthetic biology, climate change, ocean acidification, and the impact of CO₂ emissions on the marine environment in a more detailed and structured manner. This allowed for deeper discussions and information sharing with interested individuals.

Podcast - Reaching the world through webisodes

Team iGEM REC Chennai proudly introduces our Sustainability Podcast, a dedicated platform illuminating vital global issues, sustainability, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Join us on this enlightening journey as we amplify awareness and inspire positive change for a more sustainable and harmonious world.
In our podcast, we passionately address climate change, emphasizing the urgent need for action. We connect everyday activities to their impact and discuss the dire consequences, from rising sea levels to health risks. Introducing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a beacon of hope, we stress their pivotal role in fostering a sustainable future.
The series dissects the intricate relationship between SDGs and the climate crisis, highlighting solutions like renewable energy and advocacy for climate policies. Through enlightening interviews, we empower listeners with knowledge and motivation to become active contributors in resolving these paramount global challenges.