To increase our impact within both online and offline communities and help more people understand the concepts of omega-3 and genetically modified products, we have planned eight related activities.
People's Park
Through our preliminary investigation, we discovered that many elderly individuals lack knowledge about omega-3 and hold strong reservations about genetically modified foods. To further engage with and educate the elderly population, we visited People's Park, one of the most renowned matchmaking spots in Shanghai, where many elderly individuals gather to find potential partners.
Engaging with elderly park-goers directly presented a challenge for our team members, but fortunately, our team leader is an outgoing and enthusiastic girl. Under her guidance, we formed groups to spread biological knowledge about omega-3 and omega-6 to the grandparents in the park.
We explained that omega-3 is derived from sources like deep-sea fish oil and nuts, and it is a vital nutrient that our bodies cannot produce on their own. On the other hand, omega-6 comes from various fried foods and can trigger inflammation in our bodies, leading to serious consequences. This is the reason behind our project, and we hope to transform omega-6 into omega-3 through our technology and products to promote better health.
In the serene setting of People's Park, many elderly individuals and children listened to our educational outreach, allowing us to engage in deeper conversations. We found that most people were previously unfamiliar with omega-3 and had significant doubts about genetically modified foods. However, through our informative discussions and interactions, we were able to reach a consensus and gain acceptance for genetically modified products that benefit human health.
Our efforts received recognition from the park's visitors, and they expressed their commitment to include more omega-3 in their diets and adopt healthier eating habits in the future. They also conveyed their support and well wishes for our project.
Fast-Food Restaurant and Railway Station
To spread awareness about omega-3 and genetically modified-related knowledge among a wider demographic, we have decided to expand our outreach efforts to target subway stations and fast-food restaurants. These locations are frequented by many young office workers and students. Given the increasing work and academic pressures faced by these individuals, health concerns such as weight gain have become prevalent. We believe that such demographic groups also require access to relevant knowledge.
During our interactions, some young individuals admitted to having limited knowledge in this area and acknowledged not paying enough attention to these aspects in their daily lives. Being able to assist them in gaining a better understanding of this knowledge, thus enhancing their quality of life, holds significant meaning for us. Through their feedback, we deeply feel the societal benefits that our project can provide.
Educational Outreach in Shanghai's Xuhui District
In our effort to disseminate relevant knowledge to diverse audiences, we conducted an early childhood education event in the Tianlin community of Xuhui District, Shanghai. The event was designed for children aged 7-12, aiming to provide them with valuable information into the world of nutrition.
Considering the developmental characteristics of children aged 7-12, our curriculum consisted of simplified educational content and interactive gaming activities. We sought to engage the children while ensuring that they could grasp and enjoy the learning experience.
Our curriculum was divided into four main segments:
Understanding Fat: We started by explaining the concept of "fat" in an accessible manner.
Exploring Fatty Acids: Next, we delved into the specifics of "fatty acids" and their role in nutrition.
Unveiling Omega-3 and Omega-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: We introduced the essential omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and their significance.
Correctly Perceiving Fat: In the final segment, we focused on fostering a proper understanding of fats, providing practical examples relevant to children's daily lives, such as dietary choices and lifestyle habits like weight management.
Throughout the curriculum, we used numerous real-life examples that resonated with the children. These examples helped them relate the concepts to their daily routines, such as eating habits. We also incorporated fun and interactive games to make the learning experience enjoyable and memorable.
Approximately 20 children actively participated in our educational activity. The initiative received both the children's and their parents' appreciation, reflecting the effectiveness of our approach. Community staff members also commended our efforts. We are delighted to have the opportunity to impart valuable knowledge to the next generation and contribute to their understanding of nutrition and health.
Online teach-in
In order to make the public more aware of omega-3 and to promote the iGEM competition and synthetic biology. We organized an online omega-3 seminar. The content was divided into four main sections: introduction to the iGEM bioengineering competition, knowledge about omega-3 and genetic modification, scientific research, and health impact and social value.
Understanding iGEM
We began with an overview of the iGEM competition, emphasizing its goal to systematize and engineer biology through academic competition. It promotes open-source biological tools and the safe application of biotechnology. iGEM offers a platform for biology students to gain practical experience in laboratories, but it also engages students interested in various fields like business, art, economics, and photography. Participants conduct market research on designed biological products, requiring skills beyond the lab, such as designing posters, brochures, and online materials.
Exploring Omega-3 & Genetic Modification Insights
Next, we delved into omega-3, explaining it as a polyunsaturated fatty acid essential for hormone synthesis and human health. We detailed its food sources, including marine fatty fish and plant-based options like seeds and specific vegetables. Additionally, we highlighted the benefits of omega-3 consumption, such as improved cardiovascular health, concentration, and skin condition, while cautioning against excessive intake.
We provided concise information on genetic modification technology, defining it as the transfer of genes with desired traits into organisms to create new varieties and products. This concept is crucial for understanding our project.
Scientific Research Showcase
In the scientific research segment, we shared images of our students' daily experiments, giving the audience a glimpse into the hands-on work behind our project.
Social Value of Our Project
Finally, we explained the social value of our project. Traditional omega-3 sources, like deep-sea fish, face overfishing threats due to increased demand. We proposed a solution involving transgenic technology to convert Omega-6 to omega-3, offering a more sustainable and convenient omega-3 source. This approach benefits both the environment and human health.
In this seminar, we had over 40 enthusiastic online participants who showed strong support for our cause.
Videos
In our daily lives, we encounter many scenarios involving genetically modified products, but a significant portion of the population remains unfamiliar with them. Therefore, we intend to visit relevant settings, such as supermarkets, to create informative videos aimed at educating the public about genetically modified products. Given that short video streaming platforms are currently the most popular in mainland China, we also plan to utilize the format of short videos. We went to the supermarket and purchased GMO ketchup, GMO chili peppers, and GMO tomatoes as our utensils. During the filming, we preferred to use a message that is true and effective to the public and can dispel people's doubts about GM products. We chose not to disturb the normal operation of the supermarket and the people shopping in the supermarket, and carried out the filming activities without disturbing them. When we did the shooting, we repeated the parts that we thought were not satisfactory, and corrected some details until we reached the standard. After our interpretation, we realized more deeply the impact of GM food on human life, it is a long-lasting process, we should make this video into a series, so that people can always understand it, so that we can achieve the original purpose of filming the video, to educate people, to help people to answer questions and solve puzzles. Secondly, when it comes to genetically modified food, we should try to understand it in all aspects and recognize its essence, instead of denying it unilaterally and boycotting it based on some rumors in the market.
Articles
Through preliminary research, we've discovered that many people have misconceptions about genetically modified (GM) products and insufficient knowledge about omega-3. Therefore, we intend to further educate and promote awareness through articles published on the internet.
Our promotional content is primarily divided into two parts. First, we provide informative articles on topics such as GM-related policies, public attitudes toward GM, and an introduction to omega-3. Second, we share updates on our team's progress through various forms such as articles, blogs (plogs), video blogs (vlogs), etc. This includes our latest research developments, experiment updates, event highlights, and more.
We have formulated a comprehensive outreach strategy that leverages various platforms, both domestically and internationally. In mainland China, we harness the power of WeChat, the most common platform to disseminate our information effectively. We also engage with Zhihu, the Chinese primary science communication platform. For visual content and video-based engagement, we rely on Bilibili, China's largest self-media video-sharing platform, and TikTok, the current global hub for short-form video content. Our outreach extends to Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book), a hotspot among the younger generation. Furthermore, we actively participate in discussions on Weibo, China's bustling social media community, where our ideas and updates receive extensive attention and engagement. We understand the global impact of our mission, and thus, we maintain an international presence on Instagram to connect with a broader audience. Interacting with foreign peers and sharing insights further enriches our campaign.
Our efforts have been met with appreciation and acceptance in our local and international communities, reinforcing our commitment to promoting informed awareness about GM products.
Brochure
To make more people aware of our team, we created a tri-fold brochure to promote our project. It's divided into three sections: team introduction, information about omega-3, and an appeal for environmental protection. We've incorporated cute graphics to grab the audience's attention and enhance the design's appeal. Many recipients of the brochure have expressed their support for our project, appreciation for the brochure's design, and a heightened awareness of the importance of omega-3 and environmental conservation.
Click here for Brochure attachment
Fan
To engage and educate our audience during outdoor outreach, especially considering the hot summers in Shanghai, we've designed a practical fan. The fan features our team's logo, which incorporates elements such as enzymes, omega-3, PUFA, and more. We believe that as people use this fan, it will serve as a reminder of the informative knowledge we've shared with them. This peripheral product has been warmly received, garnering unanimous praise from the public.
We organized nine activities that covered a wide range of ages, from toddlers to senior citizens. Using a mix of methods and platforms, we spread awareness about synthetic biology, iGEM, omega-3, and genetic modification. The response was positive, and we received enthusiastic feedback from our diverse audience.