Difference between revisions of "Team:UPF CRG Barcelona/Public Engagement"

Education and Public Engagement

Science communication is increasingly recognised as a duty for scientists. Thus, apart from the scientific innovation of our project, we have also set focus in the social outreach of it. We have taken this matter very seriously, as we think that disseminating scientific knowledge can be almost as important as the research itself.

Exploring new educational strategies

First, we believe it is highly important that the general public understands basic scientific principles. This understanding can help the society to have a critical opinion and thus help them to make informed decisions, which can influence not only the science research itself and its funding but also the life quality of the people. In this context we have held talks in several schools and explored more engaging and interactive means of teaching lifesciences to young students through different workshops about skin microbiota and nucleic acid extraction. This workshops took place in events such as YOMO or Recerkids.

Furthermore, we have participated in Hands on Science, an international conference focused on teachers that aims to debate on the active learning of the sciences from various perspectives. In this context, we have established guidelines and encouraged school science teachers to use practical experiments with basic material as pedagogical tools to consolidate and integrate the theoretical knowledge that students receive in class [1].

Promoting science in youth

In addition, we strongly believe in the possibility of using this educational approach to increase interest in science. We have performed several motivational talks at Biojunior to young students that are about to decide which bachelor degree to study or that need advise for the High School Research project which is implemented in Catalan school. In this way, we could achieve one of our priorities, which is inspiring and promoting scientific culture in young students to increase their scientific vocation. We believe that this talks might trigger the interest in science of students and inspire them to follow a scientific career.

Establishing a public dialogue

Finally, we believe that for a more responsible research, an open and collaborative way of doing science must be established. In this way, there must be a two-way process involving both the scientific community and the general public. We have worked together to promote a public dialogue about synthetic biology in public events such as Pint of science or Science Week. More specifically, we have also focused on raising awareness of cancer and metastasis development and how synthetic biology can prove itself useful to prevent metastasis among other health conditions. Finally, we have also set focus in raising awareness of the iGEM community amongst our socio-economic region.

References:

[1]Hands On Science (HSCI). (2018). Hands-on Science 2018. Advancing science. Improving Education.. [online] Available at: http://www.hsci.info/hsci2018/images/pdfs/eBookHSCI2018.pdf [Accessed 11 Oct. 2018].