Team:Botchan Lab Tokyo/Public engagement
Botchan Lab. Tokyo
Public Engagement
Public Engagement
We believe synthetic biology will enrich people’s lives in various ways in the future, and spreading knowledge of the one is the first step towards realizing that kind of future. iGEMers have good chance to take the initiative to spread the technology, and through our project, we have made opportunities for general public to come in contact with synthetic biology. This year, we held experimental workshop, lecture, and ran booths at school festival and open campus. Through these activities, we were surprised that many people are interested in biology, and they were willing to know the knowledge. We noticed that general public doesn’t have much opportunity to exchange words with experts or university students, so we’ll make further efforts in providing better outreach activities.
Introducing synthetic biology at school festival
On November 24 and 25, we ran a booth in order to introduce synthetic
biology to the public at school festival. By using poster, we explained
the fundamentals of biology such as the structure of DNA, the technique
of gene recombination, and how genetic modification technology contribute
to society. Also, by using poster of last year’s project, we introduced iGEM
and showed how many branches of people in various fields are involved throughout the project.
As we expected, some people showed concern for taking in genetically
modified foods and we reconfirmed that we should spread true knowledge
about technology in order to familiarize genetically modified food.
We also ran a booth where people can experience easy experiment such as extraction of broccoli’s DNA. It was first experience to see DNA for young children, so they got excited to do that kind of experiment. However, we thought we need to take in new approach which allows children to train ability to think, because in the research, the result of the experience is not everything. Like the project of iGEM, it is important to consider the background of the research and how it will affect society. Therefore, we want to give a chance to obtain pseudo experience of research, so we adopt new game to think about the situation of genetic modification technology when we gave a lecture at local high school.(The details are described below.)
Science school for young children
On Februaly 9th, we hold an extension lecture. Some of our team and participants made an experiment of DNA extraction from broccoli and observation of oral epithelial cells. The aim of this event is to have them feel something familiar to science and to make opportunity to be interested in biology. Participants of this event were absorbed in the experiments. Also, at the beginning of the course, we introduced our team activity and gave a Iecture about gene recombination. We contributed to the diffusion of science knowledge. Through this activity, we hope the participants come to like science.
Participating in open day at a university
On August 8th, we introduced our team activities at open day. We exhibited posters that we used last year at Jamboree and explained what is iGEM, GFP fluorescence observation, and technology of genetic recombination to high school students. We exhibited E.coli which was transformed by incorporating and expressing a plasmid containing gene codes for a GFP. We thought there are seldom chances like observing E.coli for high school students, so we prepared such E.coli. It was effective to attract attention of students. We also used posters to explain what kind of technology is used in gene recombination and how to apply such kind of technology. We disseminated knowledge about gene recombination.
Giving a lecture about synthetic biology at local high school
On October 7th, we visited Funabashi High School in Chiba Prefecture and gave a lecture. The purpose of this event is to disseminate synthetic biology. Through other activities, we have come to think that we want to challenge more active way to convey the pleasures of science and help more people become interested in genetic modification technology, so we used “bio card game” which was developed by Life ＆ Bio Plaza 21(http://www.life-bio.or.jp/topics/topics613.html). “Bio card game” is a card game about genetic modification. The card contained questions about genetic engineering technology, and participants discussed opinions on this question within the group. Participants could learn new ideas by listening to the opinions of other groups. Some of the education systems in Japan are passively learned. However, learning actively and discussion ability are important at university. Through this card game, we conveyed not only the knowledge about genetic modification but also the importance and enjoyment of actively learning. The students spoke out and enjoyed the game. In addition, after class, we had time to answer questions. There were many questions about iGEM, synthetic biology, and what to do at university. It was a lecture that allowed students interested in biology to take a peek at the academic world, spreading the knowledge of synthetic biology and telling them the fun of learning actively.
