Final Exam Prep Response Activity

Exams are considered a daunting prospect by some students, especially those who rarely review their materials after lectures. Genetic Engineering is one of the courses in the Bioprocess Engineering program at the Faculty of Engineering, University of Indonesia. Genetic Engineering is notorious for being a challenging subject, and the teaching method employed is Project-Based Learning (PBL).

As the exams approach, the course assistants provide reviews aimed at revisiting the materials that have been taught. Reviewing all the course material can be difficult when done alone, so we extended an offer of assistance to Siti Aisyah, who serves as the course assistant for Genetic Engineering, to help create a presentation summarizing all the materials. In addition, we presented the CerveX project as one of the practical applications of the theories taught and introduced the iGEM competition to the participants.

To expand the dissemination of workshop information, we collaborated with The Society for Biological Engineering University of Indonesia Student Chapter (SBE UI SC). Since SBE UI SC recruits members with a passion for biology and engineering every year, we saw this as an opportunity to increase the number of participants who register

During the review sessions, we present case studies and provide step-by-step solutions to address these cases. Additionally, we conduct a Q&A session towards the end of the event. Many participants inquire about various aspects related to our project, how to join the iGEM UI team, and the challenges encountered when participating in the iGEM competition.

Socialization to Tanjung Rasa Village

Cervical cancer screening coverage in Indonesia remains low, with only 6.83% of women aged 30-50 years undergoing cervical cancer screening through VIA (Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid)1. The low number of cervical cancer screenings is attributed to a lack of awareness among the Indonesian population, limited knowledge about cervical cancer as a potential threat to sexually active women, and insufficient understanding of the benefits of routine cervical cancer screening.

To address this issue, we collaborated with Kersos FTUI (Social Work of the Faculty of Engineering, University of Indonesia) to provide cervical cancer awareness campaigns to the local community. We conducted educational sessions for mothers in the PKK (Family Welfare Movement), adolescent girls, and young girls in the Tanjung Rasa Village, located in the Bogor Regency of West Java. Despite being in Bogor, this village is relatively difficult to access due to its surrounding rice fields, orchards, and hills.

As our target audience included mothers and young girls, we utilized a two-way interactive education method. This two-way conversation approach offers several advantages, such as fostering a closer relationship between the presenters and the audience, enhancing learning abilities, and providing participants with the freedom to actively ask questions, challenge information, and respond2. Additionally, we used a projector to make the presented materials more effective and easily comprehensible for the participants.

At the end of the awareness campaign, we presented a series of statements about myths and facts related to the information provided as an evaluation method to determine whether the audience truly grasped the material. Through this evaluation, participants were able to differentiate between facts and myths about cervical cancer, its symptoms, cervical cancer screening methods, and HPV vaccination.

Instagram

The iGEM UI Instagram account has been established since 2016 and currently boasts 939 followers. Recognizing this substantial following, we believe that Instagram can serve as an effective platform for educating the general public about cervical cancer, its treatment, prevention methods, risk factors, nature, and ways to detect cervical cancer.

Collaborating with KokBisa

KokBisa has emerged as a formidable force in the realm of online education. It all began with the utilization of the YouTube platform as a medium to share educational content through animated storytelling videos. Over time, KokBisa has accumulated an astounding 4.61 million subscribers, solidifying its status as one of the most influential educational channels on the platform. Yet, KokBisa's commitment to education did not stop at YouTube. The platform ventured into Instagram, diversifying its content and engaging with a wider audience.

Our collaboration with KokBisa was driven by a shared commitment to education and a desire to leverage the power of digital media to make quality education accessible to all. This partnership brought together the expertise and resources of IGEM UI and the extensive reach of KokBisa, creating a dynamic synergy that was poised to make a meaningful impact. One of the most rewarding aspects of our collaboration with KokBisa was the ability to reach thousands of individuals and raise awareness on critical educational topics. By pooling our knowledge and resources, we produced content that was not only informative but also engaging. KokBisa's established presence in the online educational landscape ensured that our messages resonated far and wide, effectively reaching a diverse and enthusiastic audience.

Our decision to join forces with KokBisa was grounded in a deep-seated commitment to education. We firmly believe that knowledge is a potent instrument for personal and societal transformation. Through our collaboration, we sought to contribute to the collective effort of making quality education accessible to all. KokBisa's expertise in content creation and educational outreach complemented our own strengths, enabling us to further our shared mission of empowering individuals with knowledge.

Collaborating with Tau Lebih

Indonesia, a nation rich in culture and tradition, also grapples with the challenge of addressing social and cultural norms related to sexual and reproductive health. Recognizing the importance of tackling these issues, iGEM UI joined forces with Tau Lebih, an educational platform focused on sexual and reproductive health guided by religious values. Together, we share a vision to normalize discussions about rights and the well-being of sexual and reproductive health in Indonesia.

Tau Lebih serves as a beacon of light in the realm of sexual and reproductive health education. The platform places religious values at the core of its teachings, making it accessible and relevant to a wide audience. Tau Lebih envisions a society where discussions surrounding sexual and reproductive health are normalized, breaking the stigma and silence that often surround these topics.

In our collaboration, we sought to address taboo subjects that are often brushed aside, including discussions about seeking medical care from healthcare providers of a different gender. These conversations are crucial as they help individuals understand their rights and the importance of seeking medical advice without fear or hesitation. By partnering with Tau Lebih, we aimed to create a safe space for open dialogue and understanding within the Indonesian society.

Our collaboration with Tau Lebih resulted in three impactful posts, each shedding light on critical aspects of sexual and reproductive health. We delved into the importance of cervical cancer screenings and the consequences of delay, which garnered significant engagement from our audience. These discussions not only educated but also empowered individuals to take charge of their health and well-being.

Our decision to collaborate with Tau Lebih was driven by our shared commitment to fostering positive change in Indonesia. We believe that education, paired with the values of religious and cultural inclusivity, can break down barriers and empower individuals to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health. Together with Tau Lebih, we aim to contribute to a society where these discussions are welcomed, rather than shunned.

Bandung City

Our brochure is a comprehensive resource designed to educate individuals about cervical cancer. It covers essential topics, including:

• Cervical Cancer Facts: We provide critical information about cervical cancer, its prevalence, and its impact on women's health.
• Leading Causes of Cervical Cancer: Understanding the primary causes of cervical cancer is vital for prevention.
• Transmission of HPV Infection: We explain how the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is spread, a major risk factor for cervical cancer.
• Prevention Strategies: The brochure outlines preventive measures that individuals can take to reduce their risk of cervical cancer.
• Treatment Options: We discuss available treatment options for cervical cancer, emphasizing the importance of early detection.
• Our Project: The brochure introduces our project, highlighting our commitment to combating cervical cancer and the services we offer.
• The Benefits of Brochure Distribution: A Tool for Change.

Distributing brochures directly to communities in West Java has brought several benefits:

• Localized Impact: Focusing on West Java allows us to create a localized impact, recognizing the importance of physical and psychological proximity. By reaching out to communities in this region, we establish a pilot program to increase awareness and understanding.
• Education and Empowerment: The brochures empower individuals with knowledge about cervical cancer, its causes, prevention, and available treatments. Education is a powerful tool for change, and it begins with awareness.
• Early Detection: By educating communities about the importance of early detection and screening, we aim to encourage individuals to seek regular check-ups and screenings, ultimately saving lives through timely interventions.
• Community Engagement: Our brochure distribution initiatives also serve as a means to engage with local communities. We encourage open dialogues and discussions about cervical cancer, fostering a sense of community awareness and support.
• Inspiring Change: Through our project introduction, we inspire individuals to join us in our mission to combat cervical cancer, whether by raising awareness or participating in our initiatives.

In conclusion, our brochure distribution represents a significant step towards raising awareness about cervical cancer. By providing information and resources directly to communities in this region, we aim to empower individuals with knowledge, inspire action, and create a pilot program for greater awareness and early detection. Our commitment to spreading knowledge and hope continues, as we work together to combat cervical cancer and promote a healthier future for all.

Malaysia, Singapoer, Thailand

“Information could be spread far more widely, more accurately, and in more detail by writing than it could be transmitted by mouth” - Jare Diamond

The incidence of cancer is relatively high in Southeast Asia. Cervical cancer occurrences remain high and common in Asian countries. We expanded the brochure distribution to include Southeast Asian locations alongside West Java in order to address this issue. Our objective is to expand to nearby countries like Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand.

We distributed twenty English-translated brochures around Singapore's most visited tourist destinations, including Gardens by the Bay and Merlion Park. We also questioned their thoughts on the brochures. They responded stating that handing out brochures at such locations raised awareness among both locals and visitors from other countries. Even though there weren't many brochures distributed, this creative method efficiently conveyed information. Several individuals underlined how important it is to raise awareness of and treat cervical cancer cases globally.

Cervical cancer is quite common, among women in Malaysia between the ages of 15 and 44[3]. Pulau Besar, which is an island in Malacca faces a lack of access to health related knowledge. As a result the local residents are not well informed about cancer in general including prevention and treatment methods for cancer. To address this problem we have distributed 20 brochures with the aim of improving access to care and health information, on the island.

In Thailand, cervical cancer is the most frequent kind of cancer, especially in the southern province of Songkhla[4]. We gave out twenty brochures to sellers and teenage females at places like Pantai Samila and Wat Hat Yai Nai Vihara. They were grateful that the brochures were translated into Thai to aid with understanding.

Elementary School

Our mission is to educate people of all ages, from children to adults. The students in third grade at Pondok Cina 3 Elementary School in Depok obtained education from us.

The material we provided were in line with the third-grade primary school curriculum. We thought suitable material related to synthetic biology could consist of educating kids about bacteria, viruses, and microorganisms in their surroundings, as well as cleanliness maintenance and products that utilize microbes. Apart of that, we engaged in coloring activities together.

One of the important education for children to learn is colouring. Drawing will nurture their creativity and allow them to express themselves through colorful strokes[5]. We taught the shapes of bacteria and numerous colouring techniques, such as how to make gradients.

Furthermore, we also sang together using modified lyrics. Here is the jingle we created:

Bangun tidur ku terus mandi
Tidak lupa mencuci tangan
Kebersihan harus dijaga
Agar kita selalu sehat

Throughout the activities, every student displayed remarkable enthusiasm and delight in the process of learning. We firmly hold the belief that imparting fundamental knowledge about microbial science and cleanliness to young children is crucial.

High School

We not only provide education to students in elementary schools but also to those in high schools. In Central Jakarta, we had the privilege of offering tutoring services at SMAK Penabur Gading Serpong.

We modified our teaching methods to satisfy the needs of both elementary and high school pupils. We used an interactive teaching style with elementary school children, and we encouraged question-and-answer sessions with high school students. We believe that by taking this method, high school students gain self-assurance, which makes it simpler for them to express their opinions and ask questions. During the course of the sessions, the students showed a high level of enthusiasm, particularly during the discussions concerning undergraduate-level competitions. During our interaction, we provided them with information regarding iGEM and our projects. Additionally, we discussed important subjects such as sexual health and cervical cancer

CerveX’s Booklet

A booklet is a concise publication consisting of a limited number of pages, typically containing information pertaining to a single subject matter[6]. Booklets generally exhibit a variable range of page counts, commonly ranging from 8 to 36. From our perspective, booklets serve as a potent promotional tool for enhancing reader consciousness of cervical cancer. Despite the inherent limitations in the page count of our booklet, it effectively generates extensive content regarding cancer, specifically cervical cancer, including its occurrence, prevention strategies, risk factors, available treatments, and the CerveX project, within one coherent entity.

The booklet we made is designed with several aspects in mind:

• Minimal text: There are no more than two or three words in each paragraph, and a maximum of five words entirely. We think that short descriptions—no more than six sentences—are the most effective way to maintain the reader's interest.
• Aesthetic yet simple: Aesthetics have the ability to influence a person's psychology. When individuals experience something aesthetically pleasing, their brains release dopamine, resulting in pleasure and possible stress reduction7. By emphasizing elements such as color consistency, text density, and the use of illustrations on every page, we have ensured a pleasant and captivating reading experience with our booklet.
• Supportive illustrations: Each paragraph in the booklet contains at least a single illustration. The selected illustrations correspond to the context of the words, assisting readers' comprehension of the text.

Our booklet is available in both Indonesian and English. We distribute the booklet solely through Instagram social media, so it has not yet reached a broad audience. Since our project is technically ongoing (and can be continued by future teams), we recommend that they utilize this booklet and distribute it to a variety of government-sponsored and non-government organizations dealing in the field of cancer.

Webinar about Biotechnical Advancements

Since 2020, webinars gained popularity and remain an effective communication tool. Even though the COVID-19 pandemic is over, we recognize that webinars continue to be effective and offer benefits such as cost-effectiveness, a significant probability of registrant participation, and the ability to reach and engage remote people.

We collaborated with the iGEM UGM-Indonesia team to create a webinar related to biotechnology. Considering the annual growth of the biotechnology industry[8], but with Indonesia still significantly lagging behind in this sector (Indonesia ranks 52nd out of 54 countries according to the 2021 Global Biotechnology Innovation Scorecard)[9], we strived to provide exposure to the Indonesian community regarding this sector. Additionally, we also partnered with LiEW STRATEGiCS/LiEW ENZYMiCS, a biotechnology industry from Singapore.

The webinar was divided into 3 sessions. The first session, led by the founder of LiEW STRATEGiCS/LiEW ENZYMiCS, presented the role of algae in health from a biotechnology perspective. The second session, conducted by iGEM UGM-Indonesia, discussed a diagnostic project for colorectal cancer. Additionally, the third session, led by iGEM UI-Indonesia, focused on therapy for cervical cancer. Mr. Liew Kian Heng offered collaboration opportunities with LiEW STRATEGiCS/LiEW ENZYMiCS to interested participants. The webinar attracted a diverse audience.

At the end of each presentation, we held a question-and-answer session. Numerous participants asked actively about the development of biotechnology, the use of algae, and medical therapy and diagnostic tools for health. From this, we determined that many Indonesians were interested in this field, but it takes time and external support to reach a level on par with other countries.

Congklak

Congklak is a traditional game that is famous in Indonesia. In the past, congklak was made of wood; however, almost all of congklak sold nowadays are made of plastic. In the game of congklak, the holes are filled with seeds, shells, or stones.

Our congklak is distinct from the standard congklak. Our modified congklak possesses the following features:

• There are 10 holes: Typically, congklak has 14 or 16 holes. However, to reduce the game duration, we made only 10 holes.
• Combined with card games: To integrate the game with our cancer-related project, we incorporated a card game containing myths, facts, and questions about cancer, cervical cancer, prevention, treatment, and synthetic biology.
• How to play: Since we combined congklak with cards, the gameplay is also different. With a limited number of cards, which is 35 in total, each correct answer to the myth and fact cards allows the player to place 2 seeds in their hole. If a player answers a hard question correctly, they can place 3 seeds, and only 1 seed if they answer incorrectly.