Team:Queens Canada/Human Practices

Community Engagement

Science Rendezvous

The Kingston Science Rendezvous is an annual event that showcases current research in the fields of science and engineering to the community. QGEM saw it as an excellent opportunity to connect with people from different ages and background, and we held a booth that presented some interesting science experiments and demonstrations. At the event we had three stations, the first demonstrated the process of kiwi DNA extraction with household materials. This was meant to establish the idea that science experiments can take place in everyday life and to encourage parents to explore science-related projects with their children at home. The second was a microscope station presenting a set of fruit fly abdomen cross section under the microscope. This was prepared by one of our volunteers and many were impressed by the anatomy of the fruit fly. We took the chance to explain the importance of fruit flies in genetic research and gave children an idea of the variety of work geneticists carry out. Both parents and children had shown great interest as fruit flies are commonly seen in households and yet it was rare for people to be able to see their organs and inner structures. Our microscope set-up also featured other prepared slides containing different types of plankton. By allowing participants to use the microscope, they were able to gain a better appreciation for both how this technology works, as well as the microorganisms and microparticles that compose the world we live in. The third component of our booth was the use of a virtual reality (VR) headset with the app InCell VR. This application allowed participants to get an in-depth view of the inside of a human cell at the molecular level. Children were able to see cell components including the nucleus, mitochondria, and ribosomes during this interactive virtual experience. Although it was difficult to explain complicated concepts and experimental procedures to young children as it was their first time approaching the field of genetics, they were mostly fascinated and intrigued.

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