With the rapid development of technology and the increasing demand for alcoholic beverages and medical alcohol, the field of alcohol production has witnessed significant advancements in recent years. However, the cost of exogenous enzymes addition during alcohol fermentation(for accelerating starch decomposing rate) is lofty [1], and the dominant raw material used for conventional alcohol fermentation methods is still corn starch [2,3]. From our background investigation, we found another potential raw material called Sweet Potato Residue (SPR), by-productour of transformation from Sweet potato to starch, which is discarded nonchalantly and wastefully, thus led to heavy environmental burden [4,5]. The reason why we considered it as potential raw material is that it contains rich starch components, and our aim product can effectively put SPR into use.
From our consensus point of view, education must be one of the most meaningful social activities, therefore, we Dry Lab attempted to mainly concentrate on the education section in order to spread our sustainable-value, and involve more public to understand deeper regarding knowledge of alcohol, SPR, sustainable development and surely our project. We eventually accomplished 7(not listed in time order) meaningful educational activities, corresponding to the famous saying: Successful entrepreneur is to create value (Not merely limited within the scope of money), and we fervently believed that communication and education should be of huge value. Furthermore, our project education is vividly a projection of our motto: Greener and cheaper, strives for a better future; knowledge spreading and value telling are two main topics of our education.
1.Leaflet Regarding Different Concentrations of Alcohol and Usages
In order to educate and bolster public awareness pertaining to the different usage of alcohol of different concentrations, just as the title displayed called “Scientific Knowledge relating to alcohol usage- Fun facts”, we delicately designed and delivered the leaflet showcased below in Mandarin (since our target audience of this activity is mainly Chinese young teenagers and elders). By displaying organized and concise information, we aimed at promoting responsible consumption of alcohol and reduce the risks associated with alcohol misuse. In total, we successfully delivered the leaflets to about 85 people, with brief introduction and explanation of our team project.
2.Alcohol Education Session at Community
The survey poll (Please refer to activity 7) highlighted a significant lack of awareness among the general public regarding both the theoretical and practical aspects of our project. While the majority of survey responses were from Chinese individuals above the age of 20, we recognized that the younger generation would also likely be unfamiliar with synthetic biology, as it remains a relatively obscure field across all age groups. In light of this, our team made a strategic decision to initially focus on educating young students, specifically those aged from 7 to 12, as our first step towards spreading knowledge to a broader audience scope. As our project progressed, we expanded our target audience to include older students, aiming to broaden the reach of our educational efforts.
On July 9, we visited a local community in Shanghai to deliver a 2-hours educational session to explain our topic of alcohol production and usages. The community is located in the Xuhui district, downtown of Shanghai in China, and has always been famous of rich education resources in Shanghai. We were able to communicate with 9 students from grades 1 to 6. The lectures mainly involved fun facts regarding alcohol, SPR, sustainable development and our team project introduction.
Taking the age group of children into consideration, we commenced our educational activities by focusing on the proper usage and storage methods of alcohol. To actively engage the children, we incorporated interactive games that made the learning experience enjoyable. Subsequently, we provided an explanation of the fundamental concepts pertaining to our theme, including the definition and classification of alcohol based on concentration. We also introduced the production processes involved in alcohol manufacturing. Additionally, we raised awareness regarding the environmental hazards posed by sweet potato residue and elucidated how the integration of sweet potato residue with alcohol production can yield a more efficient and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional methods.
Through this educational initiative, we successfully expanded our outreach to a diverse audience spanning various countries and age demographics. Our efforts effectively raised awareness about alcohol production and effectively communicated the endeavors and accomplishments of our team.
3.Educational Articles Distribution on Wechat
In order to enhance the accessibility of our educational content and raise awareness about alcohol production, our team recognized the need for a centralized platform to compile and showcase our works. As a solution, we established a comprehensive WeChat official account dedicated to promoting the significance of our project. This platform features a collection of online articles that educate the audience on various topics within the field of synthetic biology, with a specific focus on our project.
Our archive of educational materials consists of five informative articles that cover essential aspects of sweet potato’s role in alcohol production. Each team member contributed an article encompassing valuable information about alcohol, the environmental hazards associated with sweet potato residue, different alcohol production methods, insights into our project, and the fundamentals of synthetic biology. These articles collectively received over 200 views, indicating a positive reception from the audience.
By publishing these WeChat articles, we aimed to educate individuals about alcohol production and foster a better understanding of the potential impact that sweet potato residue can have on the world.
To access and explore these informative articles, please click here:
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/3PiQlYxggp12dwvcH_Kulg
4.Educational Video Distribution on Bilibilit
In order to reach a broader audience, our team made the decision to upload educational content onto the E-N-A-Chemists’ Bilibili channel. Bilibili is a highly renowned and widely popular video sharing social media platform with a user base of over 300 million people, ensuring increased accessibility and a wider reach for our content.
Alcohol has always been the focus of our educational efforts. However, our poll survey revealed that many individuals possess limited knowledge about the intricate processes of alcohol production. In response to this, we developed a series of short videos, ranging from 3 to 6 minutes in length, aimed at helping our viewers grasp the connections between alcohol and various aspects of our daily lives. To better engage our viewers effectively, we decided to present the information in the form of a cartoon video. To enhance the visual experience, we have also designed a character for explanation. In the first video, we introduced the principles behind alcohol sterilization and its various applications to the public.
Through these engaging videos, we aim to bridge the knowledge gap and foster a better understanding of the significance of alcohol production. By leveraging the widespread platform of Bilibili, we can effectively educate and engage a diverse range of viewers, promoting awareness and fostering a deeper appreciation for the field of synthetic biology.
Click here to view the videos, and we will still refresh in the future! :
https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1tP411y7C6/?spm_id_from=333.999.0.0
5.Education Slides
We have created a power point slides for the education purpose. The mian content of the slides is about the popularization of alcohol and it’s application in life. Since our target audiances this time is primary school students aged 7-12 years old, there are several interactive activities were build in the slides.
6.Topic Awareness Survey Poll
On July 3, our team in Shanghai, China, took an important step in engaging the public by conducting a survey focused on alcohol production. Random citizens were approached, and we shared information about the environmental risks associated with sweet potato residue, as well as the current processes involved in alcohol production. We also discussed how our project aligns with these concerns. As part of the survey, we asked participants to vote on whether they supported governmental funding and policy measures for our project. This survey was conducted using sticker-based questionnaires in the office building in Pudong New Area, Shanghai.
The survey results yielded valuable insights. It became evident that a majority of the population had limited knowledge regarding our project’s theme. Throughout the survey, only around or less than 11.2% of the participants indicated familiarity with the topic. Recognizing this knowledge gap, our team decided to employ diverse communication approaches to enhance public awareness and engagement. We identified various platforms, including pamphlets, videos, and image-text communication, to effectively reach different target audiences and achieve specific objectives. By employing these platforms, we aimed to maximize the accessibility and impact of our project among a wide range of individuals.
In addition to assessing public knowledge, the survey also provided us with valuable feedback on the prospects of our product. Derived from the sample size of 92 (77 Yes-Green sticker, 15No-Red sticker)83.7% of the respondents expressed a preference for utilizing sweet potato residue over conventional alcohol production methods. This indicated that while the exact technical aspects of our project might not be widely understood, the public recognized its innovative potential, along with the positive impact it could have on society.
7.Picture book Development and Distribution
We delivered original firsthand picture book online. This interesting picture book takes readers on a journey through the captivating world of synthetic biology and alcohol production through interesting and cute story plots. It introduces our team, explains the general concept and applications of synthetic biology, provides insights into alcohol production processes, and highlights the significance of our project. Packed with intriguing details unknown to the general public, this engaging resource invites citizens to explore the wonders of science and understand the importance of our innovative endeavor.
By implementing a range of 7 distinct activities, which included conducting offline surveys, delivering engaging lectures, and developing social media platforms, we successfully disseminated knowledge about the innovative field of alcohol production. Our strategic approach involved targeting diverse audiences, such as commuting office workers and gathered elementary school students, enabling us to engage a wide spectrum of the general public. This comprehensive outreach initiative effectively enhanced public understanding of synthetic biology and our project, contributing to a more informed and educated society. Also, from the reflection of our team members, we were also deeply influenced by those education activities, fostering better understanding of education and the value-creation-conception of entrepreneur./p>
[1] Daniel Klein-Marcuschamer et al. The challenge of enzyme cost in the production of lignocellulosic biofuels. Biotechnol Bioeng. 2012
[2] Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy. “Biofuel Basics.” Energy.gov, Office of ENERGY EFFICIENCY & RENEWABLE ENERGY, 2023, www.energy.gov/eere/bioenergy/biofuel-basics.
[3]Zhang, Runyang, et al. “Comprehensive Utilization of Corn Starch Processing By-Products: A Review.” Grain & Oil Science and Technology, vol. 4, no. 3, Sept. 2021, pp. 89–107, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaost.2021.08.003.
[4] Liu, Li et al. Dietary fiber isolated from sweet potato residues promotes a healthy gut microbiome profile. Food Funct. 2022
[5] Jin, Zhang et al. Waste-to-energy: biobutanol production from cellulosic residue of sweet potato by Clostridia acetobutylicum. Environmental Engineering Research. 2021