Raising community awareness about synthetic biology
Throughout the past months, we
went to 3 elementary schools 1 high school to talk about synthetic biology and our project
spread awareness through social media
collaborate with famous podcast to talk about our project and synthetic technology
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
During our educational outreach initiatives as part of the iGEM project, we visited two elementary schools, Wuqi Elementary School (梧棲國民小學) and Kanglang Elementary School (槺榔國民小學), as well as Songmama Cram School (宋媽媽多元教育學苑). Each session spanned 120 minutes and aimed to raise awareness about the challenges faced by orchids in Taiwan.
First Session: Introduction to Our Project and Plant Basics
In the initial session, we introduced our iGEM project, emphasizing the importance of our research and its relevance to orchids in Taiwan.
In the initial session, we introduced our iGEM project, emphasizing the importance of our research and its relevance to orchids in Taiwan. We’ve also delved into the fascinating world of plants, discussing their diverse structures and classifications. We explored the distinctions between plants, animals, and non-living entities.
Second Session: DIY Grass Doll Making and Plant Care
During the second session, we engaged students in a hands-on DIY activity where they created their own grass dolls.
We educated them on essential plant care practices, highlighting the precautions necessary for successful plant cultivation. This included factors such as watering, sunlight, and soil quality.
Third Session: Introduction to Synthetic Biology and Genetic Concepts
In the third session, we introduced students to the field of synthetic biology and provided a foundational understanding of genetic concepts.
We covered topics related to genes, emphasizing their role in living organisms. We discussed the structure of DNA and its significance in the context of genetics.
Additionally, we touched upon the concept of chromosomes, explaining how abnormalities in chromosomes can lead to developmental abnormalities in organisms.
HIGH SCHOOL
We also conduct a 50 minutes seminar at our school (Washington International High School) to talk about our project and introduce students with the field of synthetic biology. Given that this was Washington International High School's first year participating in iGEM, the seminar also served as an orientation to this new competition for our school's students.
Our educational outreach efforts not only aimed to disseminate knowledge but also to inspire a deeper appreciation for orchids and the scientific concepts underpinning our iGEM project. By engaging with these young minds, we sought to instill a sense of environmental responsibility and curiosity about the world of plants and biology.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Through a series of visually captivating posts and stories, we take our audience on a journey through the fascinating world of science. We share insights into our project's development, showcasing the innovative ideas and experiments that drive our research forward.
PODCAST
Our team will collaborate with a well-known scientific podcast in Taiwan (PanSci) to disseminate information about our project. We aim to raise awareness on the significance of orchids and their connection to soft rot disease in agriculture.
