Chabad of Greater Dayton Summer Camp
We started by revisiting the Chabad of Greater Dayton’s summer camp this year. We completed a few activities at the camp with kids ages 7-12 which introduced various scientific disciplines to expand upon their scientific education. The first activity included “Borax Crystals” which introduced them to the scientific discipline of chemistry and specifically, molecular structure. We started with the crystal activity, the campers started by using a pipe cleaner to form a shape of their choice and then made the borax solution which they used to submerge the pipe cleaner. Then our next activity included the “Elephant toothpaste” which helped to introduce them to another aspect of chemistry: chemical reactions. We demonstrated the reaction of yeast, hydrogen peroxide, and dish soap which resulted in a giant foaming reaction similar to toothpaste being squeezed out of a bottle. The final activity for the camp included making “mini catapults” which helped to expand upon the field of physics and engineering. This activity helped them to think beyond the instructions and expand and improve the design to increase the distance of the projectile. For this activity, a basic design of a catapult was given with cotton balls as the testing projectile and the campers had the opportunity to improve and create a design that increased the distance of the projectile. The campers had a wide age gap with some having previous knowledge of the science disciplines while others didn’t, which allowed an opportunity for us to introduce them to a variety of science concepts. The campers contributed by explaining their understanding and perspective of the science through their observations during the activities.
Boonshoft Museum of Discovery
We partnered with The Ohio State University iGEM team and worked on planning activities for the visitors at the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery about general synthetic biology education. We visited the museum and set up various booths explaining our projects and the iGEM foundation. As well as with the booths we set up various activities stations for the visitors to complete various activities demonstrating the science of synthetic biology. We also did a hands-on demonstration and wet lab with the younger visitors ages 5 and up. Both the teams demonstrated an experiment for visitors of all ages to explain the main ideas of synthetic biology. The Ohio State iGEM team developed the "Strawberry DNA Extraction" experiment, in which both teams helped to do a hands-on demonstration in the wet lab for visitors. The Ohio State team also set up some stations with activities to explain their current project and concepts of synthetic biology as well. They set up activities such as the "Phage Bacteria Matching Game/Puzzle ", "Phage- Bacteria Microscope Inspection", and the "pGLO Activity." These activities allowed visitors to get an understanding of how synthetic biology is used in iGEM projects and helped to broaden their horizons of synthetic biology. Going off the wet lab experiment, we designed a "Candy DNA Experiment" where visitors ages 3 and above were able to build a model of DNA structure using candy. This experiment allowed visitors to visualize the double-helix structure and the components of DNA and understand the importance of each element of the structure of DNA. We surveyed the visitors about their experience of the event and their current understanding of synthetic biology. A survey conducted amongst 20 random participants (ages 4-50) saw that around 70% had never heard of synthetic biology prior to the event. This experience was a first of its kind at Boonshoft and allowed us to help the community to acquire a better understanding and insight into synthetic biology and iGEM.
COSI
We also partnered with The Ohio State University in having a synthetic biology outreach to the COSI museum, located in OSU's home turf of Columbus. Over 100 people came to our event there and learned about synthetic biology concepts for the first time. Utilizing the same compilation of experiments from the Boonshoft outreach we were able to provide an interactive and informative experience that serves as an introduction to synthetic biology for museum guests.
For COSI, we did adapt the "Candy DNA Experiment" due to COSI's needs. Instead we used pipecleaners and beads for a tactile representation of the double helix structure of DNA. This is a good alternative for those concerned with sweets.
In addition to the activities we had at Boonshoft, we implemented an original protocol that discusses the topic of water quality that correlates with Wright State 2022's project. We added the protocol below so others have access and can use it for educational purposes. Take a look!
Social Media
This year we recruited our social media manager Emma Tetlak to help increase engagement and impressions on our social media pages. We wanted to bring more public awareness to who we are and what we do as a team. Social media is constantly at the forefront of relaying science related news to the public. As a newer iGEM team, we felt it was integral that we have social media pages as many have not yet heard of the iGEM foundation and so we can interact with others in our greater community.
To reach a larger audience we implemented the use of hashtags on our posts so fellow iGEMers and individuals with interests similar to our content could connect with our team. Common hashtags we used are: #science, #igem and #wrightstateuniversity
Our Instagram and Twitter includes posts related to what we do as an iGEM team. From pictures in the lab, to STEM content, to posts highlighting our team members- social media enabled us to have a voice not only in the scientific community but our community at Wright State University.
