Activity 1: Seminar: Undergraduate student research and novel Biology
This public speech is held on campus by XJTLU-CHINA team on April 6th, 2016. Students from all different departments are encouraged to participate in this seminar. The aim for this public speech is spreading the idea that undergraduates should actively participate in research activities so that they can effectively integrate their theory into real life, thereby facilitating their academic performance and scientific career in the future.
During the activity, two famous professors from our department (Dr. Jia Meng & Dr. Tatsuhiko Kadowaki) are invited. They both emphasized the significance of undergraduate student research and the importance for scientists to help solving social issues and clearing public perception with the theory learned in the textbook.
Besides, our XJTLU-CHINA team had shared the experiences in conducting the undergraduate research project.
Activity 2: Road show at Shanghai Science and Technology Museum
Four iGEM teams (SJTU-Shanghai, Tongji University, NYU-Shanghai and XJTLU-CHINA) made collaboration at Shanghai Science and Technology Museum on April 16th, 2016. This demonstration is aiming at educating teenagers with scientific knowledge in biological sciences and inspiring them to explore the areas of interest.
During the whole day, about 800 teenagers from 5 years old to 16 years old visited to the museum. We used software to illustrate the complicated cell mechanisms under VR, which attracted most students’ attention and even the concentration of their parents and relatives. They are all highly prized our team to inspire their children with vivid illustration.
Additionally, we prepared lectures related to mutation and health based on teenagers’ level to broad their horizons and clear the public perception related to mutation and bioethics, such as genetically modified food. Extensive applications for mutagenesis library are elucidated on our team poster in Chinese, which attract public attention. Some people commented on the feasibility and practical application of mutagenesis library.
Activity 3: Campus talk at Guangya Middle School in Guangzhou
Since some of our team members are student lectures at Guangya High school in Guangzhou, we take this opportunity to contact the leaders the school. They prepared popular science lectures related to iGEM and novel Biology topics in genetics.
We kindly introduced the history and philosophy of iGEM competition and encouraged students in Guangya to actively explore the scientific areas of their interest. Furthermore, we are expected to provide technical help for their high school iGEM team construction. Hot biological topics are prepared by the student lecturers aiming at facilitating high school learning in guiding students to think deeply and jump outside the textbooks.