Overview

The human practice part of XJTLU-CHINA team for 2016 is significantly highlighted throughout the whole process of running the project. Based on the theme of “Youth Research” this year, lots of activities such as seminars, public speeches and road show are held aiming at providing public education not only for university students, but also for children, teenagers, and old people. The content of those public activities is adapted from the project and effectively integrated with knowledge which different ages of people are thirsty for gaining. Through those activities, the public perception is promoted as well with our scientific knowledge and detailed examples. Furthermore, our human practice activities aim at a deeper understanding about how biologists help the achievement of long-term sustainability with the knowledge equipped with, how scientists deal with the ethics issues, how biologists can facilitate policy-making and how intellectual products can be transferred into real life.

Summary

²  Seminars:

ü   Undergraduate student research and novel Biology

Þ      Effectively integrate their theory into real life

Þ      Facilitating their academic performance and scientific career in the future.

Þ      Emphasized the significance of undergraduate student research.

Þ      Highlight the importance for scientists to help solving social issues and clearing public perception with the theory.

ü   Public Speeches seeking for suggestions of group project

Þ      Seeking for the solutions of some obstacles when conducting the experimental practical

Þ      Found the reasons of repeated failure in conducting the project

Þ      Consider more practical use of project for society and the environment and human life

²  Road show and Public Education

ü   International STEM Scientific Festival

Þ      Invited two other iGEM teams (ZJU-CHINA & NYU-Shanghai)

Þ      Interaction with guests discussing ethic issues about genetically modified animal.

Þ      Delivered a specific lecture on the practical application of mutagenesis and how biological sciences can provide help for achieving sustainability of the whole society .

Þ      Shared ideas with government officials on public policy issues for current scientific subjects as well as the promotion of STEM subjects in China.

ü   Shanghai Science and Technology Museum

Þ      Collaboration with SJTU-Shanghai, Tongji University and NYU-Shanghai

Þ      Educating teenagers with scientific knowledge in biological sciences and inspiring them to explore the areas of interest.

Þ      Illustrating the complicated cell mechanisms under VR, which attracted most students’ attention.

Þ      Prepare lectures related to “mutation and health” on teenagers’ level to broad their horizons and clear the public perception.

ü   Training Sessions in Guangya Middle School, Guangzhou

Þ      Delicately designed popular lectures related to neuroscience, genetics and synthetic biology adjusted to students .

Þ      Facilitating high school learning and guiding students to think deeply and jump outside the textbooks

ü   Project demonstration at XJTLU Fablab

Þ      Share the experiences with other student research group

Þ      Highlighting the multi-disciplinary requirements in synthetic Biology

Þ      The United Kingdom Minister for Universities and Science showed great interest and commented our project on fascinating innovation and inspiration.