Team:TPHS San Diego/Public Engagement
Breakdown of Trimethylamine via Trimethylamine Dehydrogenase to Minimize Heart Disease Caused by Red Meat Consumption
Science Fair
What we did?
On April 24, 2019, TPHS iGEM hosted a science fair at Solana Pacific Elementary School in Carmel Valley. During the science fair we set up six different stations each displaying different scientific processes. The experiments we set up demonstrated adhesion, cohesion, capillary action, molecular DNA, pressure, and fluid dynamics. Each of our experiments were catered towards 4th-6th graders. In explaining the flow of blood in our bodies, we demonstrated capillary action by placing paper towels in two different dye solutions and watched the solution move up the towel, changing the towel to that color. In addition, we used candy to build a model of DNA double helix.
Our outreach committee’s goal was to get kids involved in the life sciences and introduce them to different aspects of it through involvement and participation in fun stations. An introductory and basic activity for science, meant to engage all, regardless of previous knowledge, with the goal of education and inspiration for children to continue to get involved in the life sciences and go beyond in learning. At all stations, we mentioned tie ins into real life-what makes what we are doing relevant? Why is it so cool and important? Why should you continue to learn more about this field? What is something interesting you can relate to? The main goal was to make sure to engage the kids and pique their curiosity; it helps them continue to want to learn more after leaving the mini-fair.
The event was successful. The kids were all enthusiastic, and were reluctant to leave at the end. The teachers were also very involved in the fair, traveling along with the kids, taking pictures, and gave encouraging words to both our team and the kids.
Summer Camp
What we did?
We hosted a one week, July 22-26, workshop for local middle schoolers to simulate the process our team goes through for an iGEM project. This includes teaching fundamental synthetic biology concepts, hands on labs, and research to create one final poster. Each student explored a topic of their choice, while we simultaneously introduced a new synthetic biology concept and informing them of our own project.
This particular workshop aimed to encourage the youth of their abilities to pursue a project like ours. We wanted to engage their interests to a concept that may be completely foreign to them: synthetic biology. We also introduced the structure of how to effectively accomplish the finished product of a project. We also intended to inspire them to continue their interests in life sciences beyond academic endeavours.
The event was successful; approximately 30 middle schoolers attended. All of which became enthusiastic and invested in their projects as well as highly engaged in the brief lectures. They all completed their research project, presented to the class, and competed for the award for best poster. The kids were genuinely interested in our explanations, and showed an interest in pursuing a career in STEM.
