Science Communication for Elementary School Students in Hiroshima
On June 26, in collaboration with EduPark, which aims to deepen learning and stimulate intellectual curiosity not only through classroom lectures but also through hands-on experience, we gave an introduction to Kyushu University, experiments at the university, synthetic biology, and this year's project to elementary and junior high school students. (https://edupark.jp/ )
It was difficult to explain "university" to elementary and junior high school students who are still far away from the concept of "university," but we tried to make it as easy as possible for them to understand. We also talked about experiments at universities, focusing on experiments using instruments that elementary and junior high school students do not know about. We showed them actual micropipettes and other instruments, not just pictures, and let them touch them. Although the number of students was limited, we were happy if we could help the elementary and junior high school students broaden their interests by giving them hands-on experience. By introducing synthetic biology and this year's project in a quiz format, we were able to have the students enjoy listening to difficult topics. Before talking about E. coli, which we are using in our project, we started with familiar things such as lactobacilli and yeast, and by talking about the specific places where they are used in our daily lives, we got the participants interested in microorganisms that are invisible to the eye. Participants actively participated in the quiz, which made the class very enjoyable. The number of students who knew the term "synthetic organisms" was still very small. However, after the class, most students were able to learn that there is a technology to put genes into organisms. We then asked them to think freely about what kind of new things they could create and what kind of new things they could do based on their knowledge of the discipline and technology of synthetic biology, and we were able to listen to ideas that were not bound by common sense or knowledge as only elementary and junior high school students can.
The elementary and junior high school students were full of hope as they listened to us with sparkling eyes and took notes as needed, and we were inspired to do our best to be a role model for them.
Science Communication to Students Participating in the JBO
In collaboration with tokyo tech Utokyo, we gave a class on synthetic biology and iGEM to high school students participating in the Japan Biology Olympiad. We gave an overview of synthetic biology, iGEM, and the project of this year's Japanese iGEM team. By using synthetic biology, we conveyed the appeal of microorganisms such as E. coli and yeast, which are active in various fields such as the environment, medicine, chemistry, and agriculture, and have the power to improve the planet on which we live. A post-lecture survey revealed that many participants had never heard of synthetic biology before taking the class, but after listening to the class, they became interested in synthetic biology and wanted to participate in iGEM. In response to the question, "Are there any social issues you would like to solve using genetically modified organisms? the students responded with a wealth of ideas, including "oil spills into the ocean," "new approaches to treating allergies," and "using high-speed photosynthetic plants to combat global warming. We will be very happy if, as a result of our class, some of the participants will challenge iGEM, invent new technologies, and contribute to society in the future.
