Team:CSU CHINA/Public Engagement

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Human Practices: Education and Public Engagement

Science Education

On September 19, 2018, the iGEM team of Central South University launched a bio-science project at the Excellence Bocai Primary School. This is a school cooperation project, which was carried out by the team of Central South University and the team of Ocean University of China. We used the biology handbook prepared by Ocean University of China to give students an interesting biology lesson. In the class,students showed a strong interest in biology. At the same time, it can be noted that the comics about biology drawn by Ocean University of China are very attractive to students. Chaoyang and Xiao Jiayu answered the questions raised by the students and let everyone know about biology. This is a very socially significant event. Through this activity, we let primary school students who have never understood biology learn more about biology.As we all know, interest is cultivated in childhood. Moreover, primary school students are at an early age, and at this age they have a strong curiosity and a strong interest in everything. Therefore, if we use such popular science activities and appropriate textbooks, such as textbooks prepared by Ocean University of China, we can cultivate children's interest in biology. Now, in China, there are many people who are afraid of these words such as genetic modification, genetic engineering. Because they believe that genetically modified foods endanger their health, those foods are not safe. They are afraid that genetic engineering will harm our lives. The reason they are afraid of genetically modified foods is that they don't understand what genetic engineering is. So we think that in the form of a science class, we let children have a correct understanding of genetic engineering and let them share their knowledge to their parents. We believe that doing so will eliminate people's fear of genetic engineering and let them know that genetic engineering is good for our lives. As college students, we believe that we have an obligation to promote this knowledge. Apart from what I mentioned before,through our social activities, we have found a good way for children to understand biological knowledge that is difficult to understand.The reason why few people teach primary school students about genetics is that knowledge about gene is difficult for primary school students to understand and makes them bored.We found that if we use cartoon characters, children will not be bored. And the manual organizes each biological process into an interesting story that makes it easier for primary school students to understand. We believe that this discovery is valuable for holding similar science activities and writing textbooks. In summary, we believe that this popular science activity is very meaningful. Through this activity, we have given many elementary school students an interest in biology and discovered a teaching method that is more suitable for primary school students. In addition, we also educate people about the concept of genetic engineering.

Human Practices: Education and Public Engagement Special Prize

Innovative educational tools and public engagement activities have the ability to discuss the science behind synthetic biology, spark new scientific curiosity and establish a public dialogue about synthetic biology from voices and views outside the lab.

On this page, your team should document your Education and Public Engagement work and activities. Describe your team’s efforts to include more people in shaping synthetic biology (such as creating or building upon innovative educational tools and/or public engagement activities to establish two-way dialogue with new communities, and/or engaging new groups in discussions about synthetic biology and public values). Describe your approach, why you chose it, and what was learned by everyone involved (including yourselves!).

This work may relate to or overlap with the work you document on your Human Practices page. Whereas Integrated Human Practices relates to the process of refining your project purpose and design, this page may highlight significant efforts that go beyond your particular project focus and/or address a significant broader concern in iGEM.

For more information, please see the Human Practices Hub. There you will find:

• an introduction to Human Practices at iGEM
• tips on how to succeed including explanations of judging criteria and advice about how to conduct and document your Human Practices work
• descriptions of exemplary work to inspire you
• links to helpful resources
• And more!

If you nominate your team for the Best Education and Public Engagement Special Prize by filling out the corresponding field in the judging form, the judges will review this page to consider your team for that prize. The criteria are listed below.

How have you developed new opportunities to include more people in shaping synthetic biology? Innovative educational tools and public engagement activities have the ability to establish a two-way dialogue with new communities by discussing public values and the science behind synthetic biology. Document your approach and what was learned by everyone involved to compete for this award.