Difference between revisions of "Team:NUS Singapore-Sci/Public Engagement"

 
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From our survey in <a href="" style:"text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal;">#CasAsks</a>, we gathered that public education and engagement is of utmost importance to bridge knowledge gaps, as such #CasTeaches and <a href="" style:"text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal;">#CasTalks</a> work hand-in-hand to fulfil that goal. <br><br>
 
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#CasTeaches is a more specialized branch of outreach, specifically directed at students ranging from age of 16 to 21. The rationale is that today’s cutting edge technology would be consumed by the younger generation, and thus it is more important to create awareness about current technological developments. This segment aims to educate students (through talks and discussions) about genetic engineering and stimulate their interest for synthetic biology through a series of small-group discussions. Also, we hope to instil a sense of civic-mindedness in students by discussing ethical concerns of these newly developed technologies.
 
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1) Outreach @ NUS Science Students’ Fair
 
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One of our outreach for #CasTeaches targeted undergraduate students in NUS. Our team set up a booth during the NUS Science Students’ Fair held in August to share our iGEM project with peers. Even though the CRISPR-Cas system has gained much fame in recent years, RNA editing is still a rather new field. During the outreach, we were able to share with other undergraduates about synthetic biology, RNA editing and also iGEM. This drew interest from fellow students who were curious about RNA biology, genetic engineering and even bioethics. Specially-designed iGEM merchandise were also sold at the fair to further generate excitement and buzz. <br>
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Through surveying the public (<a href="https://2018.igem.org/Team:NUS_Singapore-Sci/Cas_Asks_Survey" style="text-decoration:none;font-thickness:normal;">#CasAsks: Survey</a>), we learnt about common misconceptions and knowledge gaps regarding genetic engineering among Singaporeans. Recognizing the need for enhanced scientific literacy, we decided to better inform the public via videos (<a href="https://2018.igem.org/Team:NUS_Singapore-Sci/Cas_Talks" style="text-decoration:none;font-thickness:normal;">#CasTalks</a>), breaking down complex scientific concepts to bite-sized information and debunking common misconceptions. Through this video series, we present a diversity of perspectives -  from the applications and potential of genetic engineering to its risks and ethical concerns. This encourages members of the public to adopt a more informed stance, and further engage with government bodies to navigate the ethics with the advancement of science. Furthermore, students need to be cognizant to such prevailing technologies that will be of increasing relevance to them in the future as such technology develops and matures. Thus, we carried out a series of outreach talks (<a href="https://2018.igem.org/Team:NUS_Singapore-Sci/Cas_Teaches" style="text-decoration:none;font-thickness:normal;">#CasTeaches</a>) with the aim of garnishing their education with the science of genome editing and their potential in therapeutics and diagnostics. We also stimulated their critical thinking by introducing the ethical conundrums surrounding genetic engineering. At the same time, not neglecting expert opinion, our team interviewed molecular biologists and bioethicists who offered their views on the potential and obstacles of genome editing (<a href="https://2018.igem.org/Team:NUS_Singapore-Sci/Cas_Asks_Interview" style="text-decoration:none;font-thickness:normal;">#CasAsks: Interview</a>). <br><br>
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Our team believes that public engagement is a two-way process. The scientists in the field are the producers of such technologies, the public are the eventual consumers and the regulatory boards are the mediators. Dialogue between these key stakeholders are therefore important and critical to ensure healthy progress of the biomedical research scene. We hope to do our small part in this big topic of genome editing, be an agent through our aforementioned efforts to bring expert scientists and the general public closer. This will set the scene for more engaging and active discussions on genome editing techniques within our society.
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2) Outreach @ NUS High School of Math and Science, Singapore
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#CasTeaches went to NUS High School of Math & Science on the 5th of October 2018. They are a specialized high school that offers an accelerated education in their Math and Science curricula and 90% of its graduates pursue STEM courses in university. The purpose was to engage with members of the Biology Interest Group at NUS High through small group discussions to stimulate their interest in the field of synthetic biology and genetic engineering. As the students have a higher level of prior knowledge in genetics, we delved in-depth into the CRISPR-Cas system. Our team introduced to the students  the background of CRISPR and its natural function in the bacterial immune response. Thereafter, we shared the technical aspects of gene editing and discussed current and future applications of CRISPR-Cas System. During the session, students were actively engaged and some showed particular interest in the diagnostic kit developed for the Zika virus. Eventually, we ended off with a discussion about ethical concerns on genetic engineering.
 
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3) Outreach @ School of Science and Technology, Singapore
 
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#CasTeaches visited  the School of Science & Technology on 15th October 2018. They are a specialized secondary school that focuses on experiential and interdisciplinary learning. Our team held a sharing with students from the in-house biotechnology programme. We shared about the CRISPR-Cas system in a more intelligible way, with sufficient background information in molecular biology weaved in to ensure they could grasp the basis of our project. After a brief introduction to the timeline of discovery of CRISPR, we gave an animated walkthrough of how the gene editing process works. Furthermore, we looked at possible applications of the CRISPR-Cas system. Finally, the students enthusiastically participated in a game of Kahoot – where they were asked a series of true/false questions. As we progressed in the game, we debunked certain common misconceptions the students had on genome editing. <br>
 
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Latest revision as of 20:38, 17 October 2018

NUS Singapore Science: #CasTeaches

Public
Engagement

Through surveying the public (#CasAsks: Survey), we learnt about common misconceptions and knowledge gaps regarding genetic engineering among Singaporeans. Recognizing the need for enhanced scientific literacy, we decided to better inform the public via videos (#CasTalks), breaking down complex scientific concepts to bite-sized information and debunking common misconceptions. Through this video series, we present a diversity of perspectives - from the applications and potential of genetic engineering to its risks and ethical concerns. This encourages members of the public to adopt a more informed stance, and further engage with government bodies to navigate the ethics with the advancement of science. Furthermore, students need to be cognizant to such prevailing technologies that will be of increasing relevance to them in the future as such technology develops and matures. Thus, we carried out a series of outreach talks (#CasTeaches) with the aim of garnishing their education with the science of genome editing and their potential in therapeutics and diagnostics. We also stimulated their critical thinking by introducing the ethical conundrums surrounding genetic engineering. At the same time, not neglecting expert opinion, our team interviewed molecular biologists and bioethicists who offered their views on the potential and obstacles of genome editing (#CasAsks: Interview).

Our team believes that public engagement is a two-way process. The scientists in the field are the producers of such technologies, the public are the eventual consumers and the regulatory boards are the mediators. Dialogue between these key stakeholders are therefore important and critical to ensure healthy progress of the biomedical research scene. We hope to do our small part in this big topic of genome editing, be an agent through our aforementioned efforts to bring expert scientists and the general public closer. This will set the scene for more engaging and active discussions on genome editing techniques within our society.