Michigan Science Center
We were invited to participate in the Building with Biology event at the Michigan Science Center in Detroit, Michigan. This event took place on August 6th, 2016 and is part of a larger national initiative across museums in the country through the National Science Foundation, the NISE Network and the Science Museum of Boston. Its purpose is to provide a space of conversation about synthetic biology between scientists and the general public, ranging from kids to adults, in order to eliminate the “pipeline of doom” kind of polarized thought regarding this topic. Examples of the activities done included a simple DNA isolation, a virus making activity, an activity where people considered the uses of synthetic biology regarding food. As well as an activity where people considered in what kind of research they would invest in, among many others. The interactive activities that people participate in during the event, are designed to educate on the technologies of synthetic biology. Afterwards, a few members of our team gave a presentation on iGEM, our project, and a successful example of the everyday use of synthetic biology in many people's lives: the synthesis of human insulin. We were happy to participate in such an edifying event and were able to answer many people’s questions and concerns while having fun.