Team:Stony Brook/Public Engagement
Education and Engagement
April 6th - Admitted Students Day
Four of our team members talked to Stony Brook's admitted students and their parents about iGEM. We answered their questions about research and explained to them what synthetic biology is and how it can be applied to solve real-world problems.
April 19th - EarthStock
EarthStock is Stony Brook's annual celebration of Earth day. Three of our team members talked to college students, parents and children. We introduced them to iGEM and synthetic biology as well as our project. We also talked to children about lab techniques and what is done in the lab, and let them make DNA bracelets. We had lots of children as well as college students and adults pippette food coloring liquid, and got the word out on synthetic biology, science and iGEM.
April 24th - Strawberry Fundraiser
We sold chocolate-covered strawberries at Stony Brook's Student Activity Center. Students loved the different varieties that the strawberries came in, including white, milk, and dark chocolate drizzles as well as other fun designs! As students came to buy chocolate strawberries, we told them about iGEM and our research. We set up our trifold and explained to them what synthetic biology was and its importance in solving world issues.
May 1st - 2nd - Ward Melville High School InSTAR
During this visit, we presented to sophomores who are part of a research program called inSTAR. We explained what iGEM is, the importance of synthetic biology and how it works, and what our project entails. In addition to spreading the knowledge of iGEM, we discussed how important it is to engage in research, and explained how one could start obtaining research experience at an early age. We also did a kahoot with the students to add an interactive component to our presentation and we were impressed by how much the students learned.
June - July - Dolan DNA Learning Center
During our visit to a science camp, held at the Dolan DNA Learning Lab, our members presented to high school freshman. Our presentation outlined the basics of biology, synthetic biology, and our plant research project. Through our presentation, students were also able to learn about research opportunities at the high school and collegiate level. As an incentive and approach to have the students participate, we did a Kahoot at the end to see how much the students learnd. The camp was structured around learning about DNA, proteins, and plasmids. Therefore, since the students had an introductory synthetic biology background, they were able to answer most of our Kahoot questions correctly and we were impressed by their enthusiasm.
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June 8th - Makers Faire Port Jefferson
We went to Port Jefferson's Maker's Faire to teach attendees about synthetic biology. We had an amazing time with the children there, showing them the basics of biology with a more visual and interesting method: extracting DNA from strawberries. To make the activity as hands-on as possible, the children themselves became “scientists” and through dish soap, salt, and rubbing alcohol, were able to visualize clumps of fruit DNA. They were able to bring home the strawberry DNA as a necklace or bracelet. We chose this as an activity in order to inspire and introduce younger children to the fields of biology and synthetic biology. For high school students, parents and other adults who visited our booth, we presented our project and explained the importance of synthetic biology.
July 24th - Accompsett Middle School
During our visit to the enrichment summer camp, held at Accompsett middle school, our member presented to children grades 1-6. For the younger children, our presentation consisted of a breakdown on what DNA is and how it's important in synthetic biology. For the older children, we presented a brief description of our project as well as a breakdown on DNA and genes. The older children also enjoyed a couple Kahoot games that quizzed them on what we had presented. Both groups made DNA bracelets with beads representing the nucleotide sequence for their specifc eye color.
July 30th - CSTEP Summer Enrichment Program
We talked to incoming freshman about our project and what iGEM is. We talked about iGEM applications and how to apply. A lot of time was spent discussing college research programs and how to get involved on campus. We played a Kahoot based on the presentation on our project.
September 21st - CommUniversity Day
CommUniversity day is an annual event at Stony Brook University. At the third annual CommUniversity day, members of the 2019 Stony Brook iGEM team presented their plant research and project to the community. In addition to talking about their project, they informed members of the community on synthetic biology and discussed the benefits of synthetic biology as well as provided examples. They facilitated discussions about synthetic biology uses as well as research.
