Overview
Education is the fundamental pillar upon which our society is built. The only way to successfully participate in meaningful social discourse is to acquire sufficient knowledge. We aimed to achieve the best possible integration of public opinion on future biological and, in particular, synthetic biological issues.
Therefore, we sought to educate a broad spectrum of our society by addressing all age groups individually and at their respective skill and knowledge levels. To reach young children, we developed a children's book that teaches about the biological aspects of our world, focusing on the importance of bees. We visited a youth group to interact with middle school students while building an insect hotel. For high school students, we conducted a lesson in which they learned how to perform a regular synthetic biology experiment in a hands-on way. We held a bioethics lecture with subsequent discussion for biosciences bachelor students at our university. The lecture focused on the issues raised by our project and synthetic biology in general. In August, we invited Europe's iGEM teams to Münster to join us at our meet-up, the Junior Jam.
However, we wanted to reach out not only to young people but also to adults. We chose to implement three different communication channels for this purpose. First, we launched a podcast with eight episodes to date. Second, we educated a broad audience through our Instagram account with a wide variety of educational content, such as an alphabet of biological terms throughout the year. As our third approach, we engaged in more personal interactions by setting up an information booth at a local natural history museum to inform interested visitors about our project and iGEM. To effectively engage senior citizens, we conducted a visit to a retirement home with a focus on mutual learning and sharing information about the ecological impact of bees.
Without education, there is no learning. Without learning, there is no innovation. And innovation is what allows humanity to thrive.
"Lack of knowledge leads to lack of participation."
- Lindy Hart
Children's Book
Educating the youngest members of our society
As this year's iGEM team from Münster we aim not only to introduce adults and students to the importance of bees and synthetic biology but also to encourage children to engage with this topic. Our goal is to present the complex issues in a simpler and more understandable manner, using a simple yet heartwarming and pedagogically appropriate story as a vehicle. This approach allows even a young audience to gain an overview of synthetic biology. The aim is to break down the overall workflow and mechanics of synthetic biology and our project so the children and their parents can gain a new perspective on synthetic biology and its potential for both us and the world. In addition to children, the target audience also includes parents, teachers, and educators who are also interested in the content.
"The foundation of every state is the education of its youth."
- Diogenes
The story revolves around Rubee the bee, who embarks on an adventurous journey to find a cure for her sick hive. Along the way, Rubee encounters many other friendly organisms, and she must overcome several obstacles to reach her destination. Fortunately, her newfound friends prove to be very helpful and manage to solve both their own and Rubee's challenges using examples from synthetic biology.
Audiobook: Bee Brave
English version:
German version:
Youth Group
As we planned the visit and contemplated the best approach to engaging children, we quickly determined that a hands-on approach would be reasonable. Our goal was to provide the children with the opportunity to use both their minds and their hands at the same time. Simultaneously, we aimed to impart knowledge about biology, specifically synthetic biology and iGEM. To establish a connection between the children and our project, we decided that they should craft insect hotels. This approach came with several advantages: it contributed to insect conservation by providing shelter for insects and enabling children to actively participate in species protection. In this context, it allowed us to raise awareness about the decline of bees due to the Varroa mite.
At the start of the visit, we introduced our team and project. Then, we asked the children, aged 12 to 14, if they were familiar with the issue of bee decline and its consequences. All the children were already aware of the problem, but the threat posed by the Varroa mite was a new revelation to them. We were pleased to have the opportunity to educate them on this matter. While the children worked on their insect hotels, either individually or in pairs, we engaged them in conversations about biology and iGEM. We simplified certain topics to ensure the children maintained their interest in the overall subject matter. Some of the children listened attentively, while others found enjoyment in the hands-on activity.
By the end of the visit, we were elated that all participants had successfully constructed an insect hotel and understood the importance of protecting insects, particularly the Western honey bee. Additionally, they had gained knowledge about the Varroa mite. This visit taught us that involving the children in a practical activity was a wise decision. This way, everyone could get engaged, and we had the opportunity to talk to them in a comfortable atmosphere. Furthermore, we realized that not all children could be interested in (synthetic) biology or iGEM. Ultimately, it was essential to us that they learned something about species conservation and had fun crafting insect hotels. We are thrilled to share that our mission of educating the youth on the significance of protecting species and inspiring them to create insect shelters has been accomplished with success.
How to Build an Insect Hotel
These materials were used:
- Insect hotel frames: Rectangular structures made from several wooden boards, with a base and an open roof on both sides.
- Wood shavings
- Straw
- Branches
- Bamboo sticks
- Compressed wood blocks
- Additional filling materials (hay, sawdust, etc.)
- Roofing felt
- Gloves
- Glue
- Waterproof paints and brushes
- Small clay pots
- Logs
- Wire and wire mesh
- Thin wooden boards
These tools were used:
- Hammers
- Cordless drills with various attachments (used only under supervision)
- Staple gun (used only under supervision)
- Saws (used only under supervision)
- Small axes (not used by the children)
Blueprint:
High School Visit
During our school years, the lack of practical experiments mildly bothered us. Due to the limited resources of our schools, access was often limited to the theoretical aspects of experiments. We, as the iGEM team Münster 2023, wanted to take the chance this year to give students the opportunity to gain hands-on lab experience.
We aimed to provide them with the opportunity to play the role of scientists, conducting their own experiments similar to those performed in our laboratory, with the hope of igniting a small spark that could potentially steer the teenagers towards a future in biology.
Therefore, during the planning phase, we sat down with our team and designed two experiments that were feasible within a classroom, would not take up too much time, and were regularly performed in the lab. The first plan was designed to take four hours and included a restriction digest followed by gel electrophoresis. The second plan involved only gel electrophoresis and was scheduled for two hours. Together with the St. Antonius Mission High School, we decided to carry out the second plan in an advanced biology class.
"Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn."
- Benjamin Franklin
First, we prepared the agarose gel with the students and pipetted the loading dye into the DNA fragments we had prepared earlier. During the gel solidification, we provided the students with a theoretical background on the experiments we were conducting. Once the gel had solidified, the students were able to load their samples into the gel pockets. This initially led to some uncertainty in the class, but it quickly turned into curiosity and excitement among the students. While the gel electrophoresis was running, we had some extra time to create theoretical gel images. For this purpose, we prepared a worksheet that included the vector's gene map and a gel with a DNA ladder but no bands. With our guidance, the students were able to predict the images they could expect on the gel they had prepared themselves. The theoretical images were then compared to the gel images produced in the classroom. It turned out that many of the students had the correct solutions. Finally, we executed a quiz with various overgrown agar plates on which germs from different locations grew. The task for the students was to match these plates to the correct locations. At the end of our lesson, we had the opportunity to talk to the students about iGEM and our project, BeeVAX. We showed them the impact that BeeVAX could have on local honey bee populations and how wild bee populations would be positively affected as well.
Overall, the school visit was a resounding success. Through our experiment, we successfully put theoretical knowledge into practical application, which generated significant interest among the students. In addition, the agar plate quiz created a lot of excitement for both us and the students. It was a nostalgic feeling for us to be back in the classroom again. During our visit, we were able to spend the lesson as we would have wished as students ourselves. This experience helped us recognize the significant effort involved in preparing a lesson for high school students. In order to provide other iGEM teams with the chance to replicate this positive experience when visiting schools, we have uploaded our school visit plans to our Contributions page.
Junior Jam
In addition to many new laboratory experiences, iGEM also stands for a community in which you can exchange ideas with other teams. So from 4th - 6th of August, we invited iGEM teams from all over Europe to participate in our “Junior Jam: The European Meet-Up“ and visit us in the beautiful city of Münster. Besides socializing and making contacts with other teams, getting to know their projects and approaches was the main reason for organizing this meeting.
Next to interesting talks by international speakers and a lovely barbecue evening to get to know each other on Friday, we wanted to give each team the opportunity to present their projects, share them with one another, discuss their ideas, and receive feedback on the different approaches. For this purpose, the whole Saturday was dedicated to learning more about each team´s individual project through presentations and subsequent discussions. This allowed the teams to gain interesting insights into the ideas and lab processes of other teams, fostering the exchange of ideas to improve our own project. In a poster session accompanied by cake and coffee, everyone got the chance to get a deeper insight into each project and talk with the team members about it. On Sunday, two captivating workshops were conducted. The first workshop focused on learning how to design an interesting pitch and catch the audience's attention. The second workshop thematized the topic of building a start-up after the iGEM competition. Both workshops were prepared and led by the team of the REACH EUREGIO Start-Up Center, which we want to thank once again for their work.
Overall, our “Junior Jam: The European Meet-Up“ was a great opportunity to engage with around 100 iGEMers from 20 teams and six different countries. We exchanged thoughts about various projects, offered tips, and provided feedback on improving presentation and pitching skills. Organizing this meet-up also taught us to coordinate such an event and manage the division of labor within our team. We could project this knowledge onto our lab work, as it helped us coordinate the lab groups in the limited space of the laboratory.
Bioethical Lecture
Synthetic biology is a discipline that aims to engineer existing biological systems in a way that they “display functions that do not exist in nature“ [1]. It is therefore a powerful tool to modify molecules, pathways, or entire organisms to serve specific purposes - and with great power comes great responsibility.
Naturally, we engaged with ethical questions of our work from the minute we started researching potential project ideas. We firmly believe in the importance of evaluating every scientific approach based on ethical principles. Consequently, we made the decision to present our project, along with the ethical questions it raises, to fourth-semester biology bachelor students as part of their 'Bioethics' lecture series. These lectures are part of the normal curriculum for fourth semester bachelor students in biology at the University of Münster. We hoped to get an impression of how other students that are not involved in BeeVAX would assess the ethical questions which the project poses.
In our preparation, we initiated a dialogue with last year's iGEM Münster team, who had previously conducted a bioethics lecture. They shared their experiences of presenting a play on their project and recommended us to devise an ethical debate rather than a theatre play. This way, both sides could profit from the exchange. Together, we explored various approaches to conceiving the lesson. Our primary objectives included showcasing our project and igniting a discourse on ethical considerations. Additionally, we recognized the lecture as an ideal platform for incorporating Human Practices.
With BeeVAX, our goal is to expand measures against the Varroa mite using a less environmentally harmful approach. This aims to protect honey bees from this parasite and mitigate Colony Collapse Disorder. But regardless of the method, is it generally ethically responsible to perform such an extensive human interference in nature? If so, what methods are there to combat the Varroa mite? Do we have to trade effectiveness for gentleness, or is it possible to strike a balance between the two?
These were the types of questions we discussed with the lecture attendees. To structure the discourse effectively, we prepared questions and encouraged students to share their thoughts on the topic. We then picked up some of the answers to build an exchange upon it.
It was important for us to encourage a two-way dialogue. The lecture served as food for thought for the students, while providing our team with an opportunity to reflect on our approach. The discussion highlighted the key considerations that young adults deem essential in conservation programs: The method should be minimally invasive, with minimal impact on the individuals as possible. Simultaneously, it is essential to ensure broad accessibility for beekeepers. However, in the European context, stringent regulations concerning genetically engineered organisms and a generally skeptical public attitude towards genetic engineering pose additional challenges. This highlighted the necessity for our team to place a strong emphasis on educational efforts related to the topic of genetic engineering, and furthermore to maintain close contact with beekeepers and the wider public to involve them in the developmental process of BeeVAX.
Podcast
Our team has undertaken an initiative to impart knowledge about synthetic biology not only through physical events but also by providing accessible educational opportunities for those unable to attend in person. We decided to record a podcast titled "GENial: Ein Podcast über Synthetische Biologie” (GENEius: A Podcast about Synthetic Biology). With the increasing popularity of podcasts, we recognized their potential to reach a wide audience, regardless of geographical constraints.
In eight captivating episodes, our team delves into various biological topics, with the aim of presenting content that is both interesting and engaging while ensuring it remains easily comprehensible to all listeners.
For this endeavor, some members of our team convened during the planning phase and debated the design and execution of the podcast. After careful consideration, we selected nine compelling topics that we believe will captivate our listeners' interest in each episode. To ensure the content's quality and relevance, it was important to identify team members whose expertise and interests were most aligned with their respective roles as speakers. Furthermore, finding a recording studio was another challenge. Fortunately, our university has a podcast studio in the REACH - EUREGIO Start-up Center, which we were able to use for our podcast.
In hindsight, we not only learned how to use the recording equipment but also how to structure an episode to make it easily understandable with a captivating listening experience for the audience.
"Education's purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one."
- Malcolm Forbes
Our goal for the podcast was to encompass a wide range of topics within the field of biology, with a particular focus on synthetic biology. Therefore, our episodes displayed considerable diversity both in subject matter and in the choice of speakers. On one hand, we produced informative podcasts that covered the fundamentals of synthetic biology and detailed insights into our project. On the other hand, we addressed controversial subjects, such as designer babies and genetic engineering in agriculture, thoughtfully analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of recent developments. The podcast should also approach contentious subjects with sensitivity, providing the audience with ample information to enable them to shape their own viewpoints.
Esteemed scientists like Prof. Dr. Dirk Prüfer supported us, providing insightful perspectives on these topics. Professor Dr. Dirk Prüfer serves as the head of the "Plant Biopolymers" divison at the Fraunhofer Institute. His groundbreaking research was recognized by Time Magazine as one of the top 50 inventions of 2009. In 2021, his research group was nominated for the German Future Prize for their invention of rubber made from dandelions.
We take pride in our achievement of reaching a diverse audience across Germany through our podcast, introducing them to the world of synthetic biology. The positive feedback we received from listeners affirms our ability to offer valuable insights into the field of synthetic biology, aligning with the core goal of our podcast. Additionally, this endeavor has been an educational journey for us as well. Contrary to the misconception that podcasting merely involves speaking into a microphone, we have come to appreciate the substantial effort required behind each informative episode. The exclusively positive feedback has further motivated us to continuously improve the quality of our podcast, aiming to reach an even broader audience. Therefore, we have decided to continue the podcast, seeking to spark curiosity and interest in this exciting field of science among our listeners in the future.
Below, we proudly present a concise overview of the eight episodes aired thus far.
Episode 1: A casual chitchat on synthetic biology
(Original: Ein Kaffeekränzchen über synthetische Biologie)
In our debut episode, we aimed to offer a concise glimpse into the nearly endless depth of modern biology. We opted for a simplified approach to enhance accessibility, revealing the current ubiquity of synthetic biology and biotechnology with the examples of the antibiotics sector and the food production industry. Additionally, we explored nature's accomplished biotechnologist in form of the Agrobacterium.
Episode 2: Retrospect of the work of the iGEM team Münster 2022
(Original: Rückblick auf die Arbeit des iGEM-Teams Münster 2022)
In our second episode, we embarked on a retrospective journey through the work and achievements accomplished by Münster's first iGEM team of 2022. Furthermore, we unveiled the intricate framework of laboratory work and discussed the obstacles and challenges that will arise in the future. This also provided an excellent opportunity to illustrate the true essence of laboratory work to our listeners, revealing its fundamental nature of meticulous planning and adept management.
Episode 3: Advancing towards greater bee preservation: Our endeavor, BeeVAX.
(Original: Auf dem Weg zu mehr Bienenschutz: Unser Projekt, BeeVAX.)
In this episode, the spotlight shined upon our esteemed project, BeeVAX. With eloquence, we dived into the intricacies of what our iGEM team meticulously designed as a project. It is narrated in a suitable accessible and refined manner our blueprint of the undertaking and the hard journey that marked the evolution of this endeavor.
Episode 4: "Designer babies"
(Original: "Designerbabys")
One of the most provocative themes in the landscape of modern biology is designer babies. Our team dedicated one episode to this discourse, adopting an impartial perspective on the subject. In doing so, we meticulously unveiled equitable arguments for the creation of designer babies and against it, reflecting our dedication to unbiased examination.
Episode 5: Genetic modification in farming - with Prof. Dr. Prüfer
(Original: Gentechnik in der Landwirtschaft)
In Europe, the heated debate about the approval of genetically modified plants is reigniting. Seizing this juncture, our team engages in a dialogue with the redeemed biotechnologist Prof. Dr. Dirk Prüfer on the topic of genetically modified organisms in agriculture. Within this talk enduring myths were dispelled and potential hazards and benefits of GMOs in agriculture were discussed.
Episode 6: How to REACH your dreams - with Anne Vortkamp
Many people dream of someday building their own company and achieving success as a start-up. However, the exact process of initiating such a significant endeavor raises question. This episode answers them through an interview with Anne Vortkamp from the REACH - EUREGIO Start-Up Center in Münster. The conversation covers various topics related to start-up formation, providing our listeners with deeper insight into the complexities of entrepreneurship in the field of science.
Episode 7: Evolving from Chaos to Complexity: The Birth of Life
(Original: Vom Chaos zur Komplexität: Wie entstand das Leben?)
A highly fascinating topic that most people have pondered at least once in their lives is the origin of life on our planet. How is it possible that something as complex as today's living beings emerged from lifeless matter through a process spanning billions of years? Therefore, we dedicate one of our episodes to this subject, shedding light on the various theories surrounding it and conveying them to our listeners.
Episode 8: The Use of Animals in Scientific Research
(Original: Tierversuche in der Wissenschaft)
Animal experiments are an unavoidable inconvenience in scientific research, particularly in testing new drugs or therapies. This is a complex and ethically charged topic, subject to vigorous debate. We opened this discourse for our listeners, discussing different pro and contra arguments on the use of this kind of experiment. It's important to emphasize that this is an ethical discussion, which is why there cannot be a clear-cut answer.
Episode 9: The conclusion of this year and the Grand Jamboree (Not broadcasted yet)
Who says it has to be the end after wiki freeze or the Grand Jamboree? Not us! Sharing knowledge in this way has captivated us and we cannot let go. Therefore, we intend to continue reporting on topics that our team finds interesting and important to convey to our listeners.
Here's a sneak peek into the content of the next episode: Our team comes together after the Grand Jamboree to reflect on the entire year. What challenges did we face, what successes did we achieve, what impact did iGEM have on us, what have we learned, how did we function as a team, and how did we implement teamwork? We will document all these questions and more in the ninth episode, not only for future iGEM teams but also for all other groups facing similar situations.
The Konami Code is a famous cheat code that originated in video games and has since become a pop culture phenomenon. It was first introduced by Kazuhisa Hashimoto, a programmer at Konami, for the 1986 Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) game "Gradius." The code became widely known due to its inclusion in various Konami games and has been referenced in numerous other forms of media.
The classic Konami Code is as follows:
Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A
On websites, some developers and designers incorporate the Konami Code as an Easter egg or hidden feature. Users can input the code using their keyboard arrow keys and the letters 'B' and 'A.' When entered correctly, it may trigger special effects, unlock hidden features, or reveal amusing elements on the website.
Keep in mind that not all websites include the Konami Code as an Easter egg, and its implementation is entirely at the discretion of the website's creators. If you're curious, you can try entering the Konami Code on a website to see if anything happens, but there's no guarantee that it will work everywhere.
Biology Alphabet - Our Presence on Social Media
An important lever to reach more people and educate them about biological topics is social media, particularly Instagram. We utilized the platform to establish the format "The Biology-ABC." In total, 26 posts were shared on Instagram, each corresponding to a letter of the alphabet, providing information about various subjects in biology, synthetic biology, and our project, BeeVAX. These posts mostly consisted of three pages: The first page introduced the topic of the day, followed by an explanatory text on the second page. The third page was used to present historical backgrounds, examples, infographics or similar content. The posts were published on Mondays and Fridays, every week.
Our goal was to reach not only scientists but also people who are not working in a scientific context and have an interest in these topics. In doing so, we aimed to strike a balance between informative and engaging posts. Additionally, it was important to us that the posts were concise and easy to read - fitting the increasingly fast-paced modern world where there is often limited time for longer texts.
Examples:
Information Booth
One of our aims was to reach out to as many people as possible, as the Varroa mite problem affects the all-day lives of all people. Therefore, we cooperated with the “LWL Museum für Naturkunde” (LWL Museum of Natural History) in Münster. In their exhibition, they presented a 400:1 magnification of the Varroa mite, which was a perfect connection point for us. We used it to start conversations with visitors and introduce our project regarding treatment against the Varroa mites. We created flyers that we handed over to visitors and displayed in the museum after our visit. Additionally, we presented an informative poster, which supports the more detailed explanation of our project.
"Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family."
- Kofi Annan
In conversations with visitors, we were mostly met with great interest. Many already had contact with beekeepers and were enthusiastic about our idea. We were often told that beekeeper friends or neighbors complain that their bee colonies die due to Varroa mite infestations and that the use of organic acids is very complex. Luckily, we were able to introduce our project to people of all generations and discuss their opinions and input regarding the project. Discussions were mostly focused on the Varroa mite problem from an ecological and economic point of view.
"Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young."
- Henry Ford
Senior Citizen Home
A fundamental element of our educational outreach initiative was to reach not only young people but also include the elderly. For this reason, we decided to visit a retirement home and engage with the residents about iGEM, synthetic biology, and our project BeeVAX.
Following a brief introduction of the participants and the senior citizens, we began by explaining where biology intersects with everyday life. We employed illustrative examples from the industrial use of microorganisms such as yogurt, beer or citric acid. Our aim was to explain these topics in the most relatable manner possible, thus establishing a meaningful connection to the residents' daily experiences - a paramount consideration in the planning of our visit. From there, we transitioned to synthetic biology and iGEM.
We described the threat to Western honey bees posed by Varroa mite infestation and presented our idea for protecting the bees. We simplified the topic to ensure everyone could understand it. Following a brief discussion and a Q&A session on the topic, we finished the visit by crafting candles with the elderly residents using beeswax we had sourced from a local beekeeper. The residents had a great time with this activity and most of the conversations revolved around honey bees.
Connecting with the elderly was a deeply enriching experience for our team. Several residents shared personal anecdotes from their own lives or recounted instances involving themselves or their relatives in the field of biology. Witnessing their fascination with the idea that many everyday products are crafted by microorganisms was truly inspiring. Throughout our visit, it became evident that many of the elderly residents held a sincere interest in both our work and the field of biology. We noticed, when discussing the declining bee populations, that the residents showed a lot of concern. This reaffirmed the importance of our project to us.