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education.html
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{% extends "my-layout.html" %}
<!-- Sidebar -->
{% block sidebar_content %}
<ol class="nav nav-pills flex-column mb-auto">
<li class="nav-item">
<a href="#section1" class="nav-link link-dark" aria-current="page">
<svg class="bi me-2" width="16" height="16">
<use xlink:href="#home" />
</svg>
Overview
</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#section2" class="nav-link link-dark">
<svg class="bi me-2" width="16" height="16">
<use xlink:href="#speedometer2" />
</svg>
High School
</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#section3" class="nav-link link-dark">
<svg class="bi me-2" width="16" height="16">
<use xlink:href="#table" />
</svg>
Middle School
</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#section4" class="nav-link link-dark">
<svg class="bi me-2" width="16" height="16">
<use xlink:href="#grid" />
</svg>
Primary School
</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#section5" class="nav-link link-dark">
<svg class="bi me-2" width="16" height="16">
<use xlink:href="#people-circle" />
</svg>
Collegiate
</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#section6" class="nav-link link-dark">
<svg class="bi me-2" width="16" height="16">
<use xlink:href="#people-circle" />
</svg>
Working Professionals
</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#section7" class="nav-link link-dark">
<svg class="bi me-2" width="16" height="16">
<use xlink:href="#people-circle" />
</svg>
Public Awareness
</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#section8" class="nav-link link-dark">
<svg class="bi me-2" width="16" height="16">
<use xlink:href="#people-circle" />
</svg>
Specially-Abled People
</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#section9" class="nav-link link-dark">
<svg class="bi me-2" width="16" height="16">
<use xlink:href="#people-circle" />
</svg>
Our Takeaway
</a>
</li>
</ol>
{% endblock %}
{% block heading %}Education{% endblock %}
{% block page_content %}
<div class="content">
<div class="m-2 mb-16">
<p class="mt-5 MAIN-STUFF"> <b> Our Goals </b></p>
<p class="mt-3 sub-stuff">
<ol style="font-family: 'Poppins', sans-serif; font-size: 20px; color: #666;">
<li><b>Education for all </b>irrespective of their background, language, age and location.</li>
<li><b>Adaptability</b> of our educational content in accordance with the target audience.</li>
<li><b>Reproducibility</b> and <b>reusability</b> of our educational content.</li>
</ol>
</p>
<p class="mt-3 MAIN-STUFF"> <b> Our Impact </b></p>
<p class="mt-3 sub-stuff">
<ol style="font-family: 'Poppins', sans-serif; font-size: 20px; color: #666;">
<li>4 presentations that are <b>accessible</b> to any iGEM team upon contacting us.</li>
<li><b>11 schools </b>across the states of Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Karnataka in India.</li>
<li>Taught working professionals across <b>9 states</b> in India—Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh,
Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh.</li>
<li>Our content will be used at around <b>14,102 schools</b> across all the states of India through India Literacy
Project—a non-profit organization aimed at making educational content more accessible to government schools.
</li>
</ol>
</p>
<p class="mt-5 MAIN-STUFF" id="section1"> Overview<br></p>
<p class="mt-3 sub-stuff">
<i>
<q>Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.</q> <br></i>
- Nelson Mandela
</p>
<p class="mt-5 sub-stuff">The dynamic field of synthetic biology is an amalgamation of science and engineering which holds the potential for game-changing innovation and discovery. However, the general population is frequently ignorant of its profound impact because of ethical misconceptions and a lack of social awareness.<br>
<br>
In India, a developing country, encouraging the fast-paced development of synthetic biology presents unique difficulties, such as <b>language limitations</b> and a very <b>diversified educational environment</b>. These challenges emphasize the critical value of all-encompassing education and awareness programs.<br>
<br>
At MIT-MAHE, we have embarked on a mission to bridge this knowledge gap by creating educational content tailored to diverse audiences, from primary school students to working professionals. Our goal goes beyond expanding their understanding of synthetic biology; it encompasses <b>potential career paths and debunking misconceptions</b>, especially regarding genetically modified organisms (GMOs).<br>
<br>
The success of our project depends heavily on our educational outreach. We aim to fight the stigma and <b>false information surrounding GMOs</b> by developing a concrete understanding of the biology of wastewater management and the usage of antimicrobials like triclocarban in everyday life. Due to this knowledge, the public and other stakeholders are better equipped to generate educated judgments, which ultimately helps projects improve and ensures safety by encouraging constructive criticism.<br>
<br>
We aspire to <b>foster mutual learning and dialogue</b>, laying the foundation for active participation in shaping the future of synthetic biology through our workshops, age-appropriate presentations, social media, comic strips, activity booklet, blog, online talks and handbook. Education is our mission's bedrock, unlocking synthetic biology's transformative potential to address critical societal and environmental challenges.
</p>
<img src="https://static.igem.wiki/teams/4641/wiki/education/mind-map-education.png"
class="img-fluid rounded mx-auto d-block" style="scale:0.9;">
<p class="sub-stuff" style="text-align:center">Our Target Audience</p>
<p class="mt-5 sub-stuff">Our team members were able to visit nine schools across the states of <b>Karnataka, Tamil
Nadu and Maharashtra</b>.</p>
<p class="mt-5 MAIN-STUFF" id="section2">Communicating Science to High School Students </p>
<p class="mt-5 sub-stuff">
High School students in India are taught biology in compliance with the educational curriculum. However, the
definition of biology in India has become restricted to becoming a practicing medical doctor due to societal
pressure, and thus, very rarely do students begin to explore the non-anatomy side of biology. Textbooks in India
discuss genetic engineering and not Synthetic biology, making this a new concept for most students. New concepts
and their potential applications in their daily life tend to ignite any student’s interest, which is why we chose
to discuss synthetic biology with them. To help them explore how a new field can assist their daily life, given
that suitable precautions are taken.
<br><br>
Attached below is a PDF of the content curated by us for high school students:
<br><br>
</p>
<div class="ratio ratio-16x9 mt-5">
<iframe src="https://static.igem.wiki/teams/4641/wiki/education/high-school-ppt.pdf" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div>
<p class="mt-5 sub-stuff">
Our primary aim with high school students was to teach them the basics of synthetic biology. We taught them
concepts like the central dogma of life, applications of synthetic biology and genetic engineering principles.<br>
We were able to successfully conduct these sessions with the help of a few <b>animations for easy understanding:</b><br>
</p>
<iframe title="MIT-MAHE: Central Dogma Animation for High School (2023) [English]" width="560" height="315"
src="https://video.igem.org/videos/embed/180e1cc6-1334-472b-835a-1590e87452ba" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""
sandbox="allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-popups"></iframe>
<p class="sub-stuff">Animation of the Central Dogma of Life</p>
<p class="mt-5 sub-stuff">
We also conducted a <b>Codon Chart Activity</b> for students to understand the concept of translation better. We linked
various amino acids to single alphabets and provided them with a code which spelt out an iconic phrase— <b><q>I AM
BOND.</q></b> <br><br>
</p>
<img style="scale:0.75;"
src="https://static.igem.wiki/teams/4641/wiki/education/codon-chart-activity-from-the-ppt-made-by-kini-for-reference.png"
class="img-fluid rounded mx-auto d-block" style="scale:0.9;">
<p class="sub-stuff">Codon Chart Activity for High School Students</b>.</p>
<p class="mt-5 sub-stuff">Our team members were able to visit nine schools across the states of <b>Karnataka, Tamil
Nadu and Maharashtra</b>.</p>
<div class="accordion accordion-flush">
<div class="accordion-item">
<h2 class="accordion-header" id="headingOne">
<button class="accordion-button" type="button" data-bs-toggle="collapse" data-bs-target="#collapseOne"
aria-expanded="true" aria-controls="collapseOne">
<b>Government High School, Kopinayakkanpatti, Madurai, Tamil Nadu—Date: 03/07/2023</b>
</button>
</h2>
<div id="collapseOne" class="accordion-collapse collapse" aria-labelledby="headingOne">
<div class="accordion-body">
<p>Our team conducted an educational session at Government High School, Kopinayakkanpatti, Madurai, Tamil
Nadu. During this session, we engaged with a group of twenty 9th-grade students. Our primary focus was
educating them about the chemicals commonly found in everyday products, emphasizing their potential impact
on health and the environment. This initiative aimed to raise awareness regarding harmful chemicals in
pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs).<br>
Given that many of the students came from agricultural backgrounds, we tailored our approach to introduce
the <b>concept of synthetic biology through the lens of high-yielding variety (HYV) crops</b>. This
approach
allowed us to connect with the students and highlight the relevance of synthetic biology to their rural
settings.<br>
Considering the rural context of the school, our educational content was delivered bilingually, utilizing
both Tamil and English. We collaborated closely with the school staff to ensure effective communication
and engagement with the students. After our session, the students were very enthusiastic and even spoke
about the possibility of a "banana man" and showed us a sketch.
This initiative at Government High School, Kopinayakkanpatti, expanded our outreach and promoted awareness
of synthetic biology and its real-world applications, particularly in regions with distinct linguistic and
agricultural backgrounds.</p>
<img
src="https://static.igem.wiki/teams/4641/wiki/education/government-high-school-kopinayakkanpatti-madurai-tamil-nadu.jpg"
class="img-fluid rounded mx-auto d-block" style="scale:0.7;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="accordion-item">
<h2 class="accordion-header" id="headingTwo">
<button class="accordion-button collapsed" type="button" data-bs-toggle="collapse"
data-bs-target="#collapseTwo" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapseTwo">
<b>Gundecha Education Academy, Mumbai, Maharashtra—Date: 05/07/2023</b>
</button>
</h2>
<div id="collapseTwo" class="accordion-collapse collapse" aria-labelledby="headingTwo">
<div class="accordion-body">
<p>Our team had the privilege of conducting an educational session for 30 high school students in Mumbai.
During this visit, two team members engaged with students from the eleventh and twelfth grades, focusing
on imparting fundamental concepts and practical applications of synthetic biology and genetic
engineering.<br>
To <b>gauge the students' prior knowledge</b> and establish a foundation for our presentation, we
initiated the
session by posing a series of essential questions. These questions included inquiries about the nature of
a cell, the role of proteins, the concept of genes, the genetic inheritance of physical traits from
parents, the functions of proteins in living organisms, the composition of the human body, and the
presence of cells in all living things.<br>
Based on the students' responses to these foundational questions, we <b>tailored our presentation</b> to
address
their specific level of understanding. We explained the relevant topics, delving into the intricate world
of synthetic biology and genetic engineering. We mainly focused on introducing the students to potential
synthetic biology and biotechnology career opportunities, sparking significant interest and generating
numerous follow-up questions.<br>
The students actively participated throughout the session, displaying remarkable enthusiasm, particularly
during the interactive activity segment of the presentation. During this hands-on activity, they learned
how to utilize a Codon Chart to decipher the amino acid sequence encoded by an mRNA sequence.</p>
<img
src="https://static.igem.wiki/teams/4641/wiki/education/gundecha-education-academy-mumbai-maharashtra-real.png"
class="img-fluid rounded mx-auto d-block" style="scale:0.7;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="accordion-item">
<h2 class="accordion-header" id="headingThree">
<button class="accordion-button collapsed" type="button" data-bs-toggle="collapse"
data-bs-target="#collapseThree" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapseThree">
<b>Prakriya International School, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu—Date: 05/07/2023</b>
</button>
</h2>
<div id="collapseThree" class="accordion-collapse collapse" aria-labelledby="headingThree">
<div class="accordion-body">
<p>Three members visited this school and had a fun, interactive session with 50 students from grades nine to
twelve. Upon teaching synthetic biology and genetic engineering concepts, we explored biotechnology
careers and conducted the codon chart activity. We also highlighted career prospects in biotechnology and
presented our project, CarbanEl, and its <b>real-world applications</b>. The students actively
participated,
<b>raising questions</b> on biosafety, career opportunities, and the global impact of synthetic biology.
We
concluded the session with a codon chart activity, which the students enjoyed. Faculty members commended
our educational efforts and posed intriguing questions about the containment of our project.
</p>
<img src="https://static.igem.wiki/teams/4641/wiki/education/prakriyainternationalschool.jpeg"
class="img-fluid rounded mx-auto d-block" style="scale:0.7;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="accordion-item">
<h2 class="accordion-header" id="headingFour">
<button class="accordion-button collapsed" type="button" data-bs-toggle="collapse"
data-bs-target="#collapseFour" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapseFour">
<b>Stanes Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School, Coimbatore, Nadu—Date: 05/07/2023 </b>
</button>
</h2>
<div id="collapseFour" class="accordion-collapse collapse" aria-labelledby="headingFour">
<div class="accordion-body">
<p>We visited Stanes Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School and conducted an interactive session with 50
higher secondary and middle school students on 5th July.<br>
The students displayed great curiosity about synthetic biology after we introduced them to the basic
concepts of replication, transcription, and translation. They were particularly intrigued by peptide
formation and wondered if creating mermaids or bringing back extinct animals was possible!<br>
One of the most fascinating questions we received was whether switching or changing a person's brain using
genome information from other individuals was feasible. We thoroughly enjoyed answering such unique
questions. The students' enthusiasm during the codon chart activity brought us immense joy and underscored
the importance of education.<br>
At the end of the session, after introducing our project and its applications, many individuals approached
us with further questions about our project and inquiries on how they could become synthetic biologists.
The students also provided feedback and expressed their gratitude for the session.</p>
<img
src="https://static.igem.wiki/teams/4641/wiki/education/stanes-anglo-indian-high-secondary-school-coimbatore-tamil-nadu.jpg"
class="img-fluid rounded mx-auto d-block" style="scale:0.7;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="accordion-item">
<h2 class="accordion-header" id="headingFive">
<button class="accordion-button collapsed" type="button" data-bs-toggle="collapse"
data-bs-target="#collapseFive" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapseFive">
<b>DKS Hippocampus, Kanakapura Village (Outside Bangalore), Karnataka—Date: 08/07/2023 </b>
</button>
</h2>
<div id="collapseFive" class="accordion-collapse collapse" aria-labelledby="headingFive">
<div class="accordion-body">
<p>This session took place at a school located on the outskirts of Bangalore, a setting that often needs
more access to the abundant educational resources typically found in more urban schools.
During our visit, two team members held a session for 60 students. Remarkably, these students, who were in
their senior secondary years, demonstrated an impressive aptitude for grasping these complex concepts.
Their ability to comprehend and articulate ideas typically reserved for collegiate-level students was
remarkable.<br>
What was even more inspiring was the students' proactive engagement with the material. They absorbed the
knowledge shared and displayed a keen interest in the subject matter. One student went the extra mile by
diligently <b>taking notes</b> during the session and sharing them with one of our team members through
social
media. This initiative demonstrated their commitment to learning and enthusiasm for discussing topics</p>
<div class="container">
<div class="row">
<div class="col-md-6">
<img
src="https://static.igem.wiki/teams/4641/wiki/education/dks-hippocampus-kanakapura-village-karnataka-1.jpg"
class="img-fluid mt-4" style="scale:0.9">
</div>
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<img
src="https://static.igem.wiki/teams/4641/wiki/education/dks-hippocampus-kanakapura-village-karnataka-2.jpg"
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</div>
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<img
src="https://static.igem.wiki/teams/4641/wiki/education/dks-hippocampus-kanakapura-village-karnataka-3.jpeg"
class="img-fluid rounded mx-auto d-block mt-5" style="scale:0.6;">
<p class="sub-stuff" style="text-align:center">A student sending one of the members a picture of her notes
after the session on synthetic biology</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
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<h2 class="accordion-header" id="headingSix">
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data-bs-target="#collapseSix" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapseSix">
<b>The Samhita Academy, Bangalore—Date: 12/07/2023 </b>
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</h2>
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<div class="accordion-body">
<p>We conducted an educational session for 50 students in grades 11 and 12, encompassing science and
commerce backgrounds. During the session, we introduced them to fundamental concepts such as the central
dogma of life, synthetic biology, and genetic engineering. Additionally, we provided insights into the
iGEM competition and our project.
The students showed keen interest in bioethics and biosafety, leading to engaging discussions. They
enthusiastically inquired about potential career opportunities within synthetic biology and exhibited
curiosity regarding the <b>intricacies of biosafety and bioethics</b>.</p>
<img src="https://static.igem.wiki/teams/4641/wiki/education/samhita-academy-bengaluru-karnataka.jpg"
class="img-fluid rounded mx-auto d-block" style="scale:0.7;">
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</div>
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<b>Board High School, Udupi—Date: 09/09/2023</b>
</button>
</h2>
<div id="collapseSeven" class="accordion-collapse collapse" aria-labelledby="headingSeven">
<div class="accordion-body">
<p>Our team's visit to Board High School, a government school in Udupi, Karnataka, was a valuable
experience. We interacted with 60 students from grades 8 and 9 despite initially planning a presentation
designed for 11th and 12th graders. This presentation centered around synthetic biology and genetic
engineering, had been well-received among older students in cities like Bangalore and Coimbatore.<br>
One of the primary challenges we encountered at Board High School was the <b>language barrier</b>. While the
school taught in both English and Kannada, the students primarily communicated in Kannada. To bridge this
gap, <b>we sought assistance from teachers</b> and used numerous examples to make the content more accessible. We
also explained amino acids using our music composition.
Despite the language challenges, our visit proved to be fruitful. Some students showed genuine interest
and asked questions about synthetic biology, indicating their curiosity and engagement with the topic. The
highlight of our visit was the interactive activity we conducted. In this activity, students decoded an
amino acid chain to reveal a secret message using a codon chart. This hands-on exercise was fun and highly
engaging and every student successfully
decoded the message, demonstrating the <b>effectiveness of our teaching methods</b>.</p>
<figure>
<div class="container">
<div class="row">
<div class="col-md-6">
<img
src="https://static.igem.wiki/teams/4641/wiki/education/board-high-school-udupi-karnataka-1.jpg"
class="img-fluid mt-4">
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<img
src="https://static.igem.wiki/teams/4641/wiki/education/board-high-school-udupi-karnataka-2.jpg"
class="img-fluid mt-4">
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</figure>
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</div>
<div class="accordion-item">
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data-bs-target="#collapseEight" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapseEight">
<b>MJC school, Manipal, Karnataka—Date: 14/09/2023</b>
</button>
</h2>
<div id="collapseEight" class="accordion-collapse collapse" aria-labelledby="headingEight">
<div class="accordion-body">
<p>Building on our experience from the visit to Board High School, we incorporated <b>more hands-on and
interactive learning activities</b>. Our team's visit to MJC School in Manipal was an enriching experience,
where we engaged with 75 students using a revamped presentation that catered to their needs and
preferences.<br>
The new presentation strategy began with an extensive explanation of the cell, providing a solid
foundation for understanding subsequent topics. We then explained the concepts of DNA, RNA, and proteins
before delving into the intriguing world of synthetic biology. Additionally, we elucidated our project and
discussed the exciting prospects of a career in biotechnology, inspiring students to consider pursuing
this field.<br>
Recognizing the importance of effective communication, some team members provided Kannada translations and
examples when students struggled to grasp certain concepts. This adaptable approach ensured that all
students could follow the presentation comfortably.<br>
Our visit concluded with another engaging activity in which students decoded an amino acid sequence to
reveal a secret message using a codon chart. This exercise sparked curiosity and led to a lively
discussion, during which students asked numerous questions and sought clarification on various conceptual
aspects.<br>
In conclusion, our educational visit to Board High School, followed by the visit to MJC School, <b>helped us
reflect and modify our teaching methods</b> to cater to different populations of students in order to make
synthetic biology more understandable.<br>
</p>
<img class="img-fluid rounded mx-auto d-block"
src="https://static.igem.wiki/teams/4641/wiki/education/mjc-school-udupi-karnataka.jpg"
style="scale:0.60;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p class="mt-5 MAIN-STUFF" id='section3'>Reaching out to Middle School Students</p>
<p class="mt-5 sub-stuff">Teaching middle school students about environmental concepts was crucial as it promotes
mutual learning. We tailored our content to align with the general school curriculum, focusing on chemicals,
pollutants, and sustainability rather than biology. This approach encourages responsible, sustainable attitudes
from an early age. <br>
Our documentation can aid future educational initiatives and highlight broader environmental issues. Moreover, it
encourages early engagement in environmental issues and lays a foundation for understanding its relevance to
real-world challenges.</p>
<p class="mt-5 sub-stuff">Here is the content created by us on <b>“Chemicals in Daily Use Products”</b> for middle school
students:</p>
<div class="ratio ratio-16x9 mt-5">
<iframe src="https://static.igem.wiki/teams/4641/wiki/education/middle-school-ppt.pdf" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div>
<p class="mt-5 sub-stuff">In order to keep the students engaged, these are a few animations we incorporated into our
presentation: </p>
<iframe title="MIT-MAHE: Chemicals in our daily used products (2023) [English]" width="560" height="315"
src="https://video.igem.org/videos/embed/0cdce307-2ac2-4a59-9b11-9ad989017dc1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""
sandbox="allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-popups"></iframe>
<iframe title="MIT-MAHE: Why antimicrobials are bad for you? (2023) [English]" width="560" height="315"
src="https://video.igem.org/videos/embed/86d460b4-f00c-425d-adf0-4c6a309f9bff" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""
sandbox="allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-popups"></iframe>
<iframe title="MIT-MAHE: Our solution for degrading TCC (2023) [English]" width="560" height="315"
src="https://video.igem.org/videos/embed/61529e5a-85e2-4cc2-b4d3-c3eca19e6801" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""
sandbox="allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-popups"></iframe>
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<h2 class="accordion-header" id="headingNine">
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aria-expanded="true" aria-controls="collapseNine">
<b>Prakriya International School </b> (Date: 05/07/23)
</button>
</h2>
<div id="collapseNine" class="accordion-collapse collapse" aria-labelledby="headingNine">
<div class="accordion-body">
<p>During the session with the middle school students, we focused on addressing the topic of general
pollutants in the environment. Additionally, we provided a concise overview of our project. The students
from the middle school displayed an extraordinary level of curiosity and enthusiasm.<br>
Their inquiries ranged from the intriguing possibility of combining genes from animals and humans to
exploring the notion of sweating hydrochloric acid through the skin. These thought-provoking questions
underscored their eagerness to delve into the complexities of synthetic biology and genetic engineering.
The session with the middle school students was marked by their inquisitiveness and their readiness to
explore the boundaries of scientific possibilities.</p>
<img class="img-fluid rounded mx-auto d-block"
src="https://static.igem.wiki/teams/4641/wiki/education/prakriya-international-school-reaching-out-to-middle-school.jpeg">
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<b> Increasing our impact: India Literacy Project</b>
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</h2>
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<div class="accordion-body">
<p>To take our education a step further, we have collaborated with India Literacy Project (ILP). This
non-profit organization aims to enable children in government schools to acquire grade-appropriate skills
and career opportunities. <br>
We translated our middle school educational content on "Chemicals in Daily Use Products" into a regional
language, Kannada, which will be integrated into their syllabus as additional content and be taught at
almost <b>14,102 schools</b> across India. This gave us a chance to spread awareness about the presence of
harmful chemicals in personal care products among the local community.<br><br </p>
<img class="img-fluid rounded mx-auto d-block"
src="https://static.igem.wiki/teams/4641/wiki/education/india-literacy-project.png" style="scale:0.85">
<img class="img-fluid rounded mx-auto d-block"
src="https://static.igem.wiki/teams/4641/wiki/education/india-literacy-project.jpeg" style="scale:0.5">
<div class="ratio ratio-16x9">
<iframe src="https://static.igem.wiki/teams/4641/wiki/education/ilp-kannada-ppt.pdf"
allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div>
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</div>
</div>
</div>
<p class='mt-5 MAIN-STUFF' id='section4'> Sparking young minds</p>
<p class='mt-5 sub-stuff'> Teaching primary school students about environmental concepts is essential as it promotes
early curiosity. We engaged them by using an activity booklet and a comic strip. While we did not teach specific
content, our creative approach sparks interest and encourages early engagement in science, fostering an
understanding of its relevance to real-world challenges.</p>
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<div class="accordion-item">
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aria-expanded="true" aria-controls="collapseEleven">
<b>Sri Krishna Mandir, Hulimavu, Bangalore—Date: 05/07/2023</b><br>
</button>
</h2>
<div id="collapseEleven" class="accordion-collapse collapse" aria-labelledby="headingEleven">
<div class="accordion-body">
<p>Our team visited an underprivileged primary school to inspire students and cultivate their interest in
science. Upon asking about their future aspirations, many students appeared uncertain or expressed a
desire to become cricketers. We introduced the idea of pursuing careers as doctors or scientists while not
discouraging their present ambitions, and then we explained our ongoing project, highlighting its
fascinating aspects.<br><br></p>
<div class="container">
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<div class="col-md-6">
<img
src="https://static.igem.wiki/teams/4641/wiki/education/sri-krishna-mandir-hulimavu-bangalore-1.png"
class="img-fluid mt-4" alt="Image 1">
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p class="mt-5"> <b>10/10/23</b></p>
<p class="mt-5"> After our first visit to Sri Krishna Mandir, we were keen on interacting with the students
again. We went back to them and engaged in interactive activities. Our activity booklet was handed out to
them and they enjoyed the coloring, crossword, etc. We also distributed the Tricky Triclocarban comic
strips which helped them get an understanding about the presence of harmful chemicals in daily use
products and how synthetic biology can be applied to remove them. </p>
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<img
src="https://static.igem.wiki/teams/4641/wiki/education/sri-krishna-mandir-hulimavu-bangalore-3.png"
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src="https://static.igem.wiki/teams/4641/wiki/education/sri-krishna-mandir-hulimavu-bangalore-4.png"
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<b>Dr. Nitte Shankar Adyanthaya Memorial English Medium School, Karkala, Karnataka— Date: 10/10/23</b>
</button>
</h2>
<div id="collapseThirty" class="accordion-collapse collapse" aria-labelledby="headingThirty">
<div class="accordion-body">
<p>In NSAM school, we delivered the concept of synthetic biology and genes in simple terms to over 200
primary school students. They took keen interest in the topic and were interactive with us. We discussed
the concept of genes carrying hereditary information and modification of organisms using restriction
enzymes or "molecular scissors". After the session, when asked the same questions to the students, they
were able to answer it implying that they had gained an understanding of the topics. Followed by this, we
handed out crayons and our specially curated activity booklets titled "Under the Sea" to the students that
contained four activities- colouring, crossword, maze puzzle and word search. The students actively
engaged in these activities and also told us that they enjoyed it a lot. It was a heartwarming experience
to spark this enthusiasm about science in them at such a young age.</p>
<div class="container">
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<div class="col-md-6">
<img
src="https://static.igem.wiki/teams/4641/wiki/education/dr-nitte-shankar-adyanthaya-memorial-english-medium-school-karkala-karnataka-1.png"
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<img
src="https://static.igem.wiki/teams/4641/wiki/education/dr-nitte-shankar-adyanthaya-memorial-english-medium-school-karkala-karnataka-2.jpg"
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</div>
<p class='mt-5 MAIN-STUFF'> <b> Content created by us for primary school students:</b> </p>
<p class='mt-5 sub-stuff'>This is the presentation put together for the primary school students to convey the basics
about genes and synthetic biology:</p>
<div class="ratio ratio-16x9 mt-5">
<iframe src="https://static.igem.wiki/teams/4641/wiki/education/primary-school-ppt.pdf" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div>
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<div class="accordion-item">
<h2 class="accordion-header" id="headingTwelve">
<button class="accordion-button" type="button" data-bs-toggle="collapse" data-bs-target="#collapseTwelve"
aria-expanded="true" aria-controls="collapseTwelve">
<b>"Tricky Triclocarban" comic strip</b>
</button>
</h2>
<div id="collapseTwelve" class="accordion-collapse collapse" aria-labelledby="headingTwelve">
<div class="accordion-body">
<p>Our unique and personalized comic strip titled “Tricky Triclocarban” has two parts, wherein the first
part explains the effects of TCC on the environment. In contrast, the second part focused on how synthetic
biology could solve this problem effectively. By using <b>attractive graphical illustrations</b> and
simplifying
scientific terms, we aimed to use this comic strip as a means to educate primary school students about
synthetic biology in general and our project idea; this turned out to be a massive success as they stood
awestruck looking at the comic and trying to get an understanding of the same while we explained it to
them bit by bit!<br><br></p>
<div class="ratio ratio-16x9">
<iframe src="https://static.igem.wiki/teams/4641/wiki/education/tcc-comic-strip-1.pdf"
allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div>
<br><br><br>
<div class="mt-5 ratio ratio-16x9">
<iframe src="https://static.igem.wiki/teams/4641/wiki/education/tcc-comic-strip-2.pdf"
allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div>
</div>
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</div>
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<h2 class="accordion-header" id="headingThirteen">
<button class="accordion-button collapsed" type="button" data-bs-toggle="collapse"
data-bs-target="#collapseThirteen" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapseThirteen">
<b>Activity booklet- “Under the Sea”</b>
</button>
</h2>
<div id="collapseThirteen" class="accordion-collapse collapse" aria-labelledby="headingThirteen">
<div class="accordion-body">
<p>GMOs are frequently faced with mistrust, so to demystify and explain the science behind it in the most
approachable way possible, we set out to create an activity booklet for children. It involves various
activities that the students can engage in like coloring, maze puzzle, crossword, odd one out and word
search. It is an interactive way to convey the concept of water pollution to them<br></p>
<div class="mt-5 ratio ratio-16x9">
<iframe src="https://static.igem.wiki/teams/4641/wiki/education/activity-book-final.pdf"
allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div>
</div>
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</div>
<p class='mt-5 MAIN-STUFF' id='section5'> Presentation to our scientific peers</p>
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aria-expanded="true" aria-controls="collapseFifteen">
<b>Lab Safety and Security Session—Date: 14/09/23, 18/09/23, 19/09/23</b>
</button>
</h2>
<div id="collapseFifteen" class="accordion-collapse collapse " aria-labelledby="headingFifteen">
<div class="accordion-body">
<p>We organized a series of Lab Safety sessions to equip the second years of MIT Manipal pursuing a B.Tech
in Biotechnology with valuable laboratory safety knowledge and hands-on experience. In order to ensure
that they have some basic background knowledge before going to the lab, we conducted a theory session on
general lab safety and Good Lab Practices (GLP) on the 5th of September[1]. Following this, we conducted
lab
safety sessions with them. These sessions took place on the 14th, 18th and 19th of September, 2023, with
two half-hour sessions each day, accommodating five students per session to ensure the lab remained
spacious and manageable.<br>
The primary objective of these sessions was to familiarize them with essential
<b>safety protocols and equipment</b>, equipping them with a solid foundation for the upcoming years. The
sessions were structured as follows:<br>
<ol>
<li> <u>Introduction to Lab Safety:</u> We delivered a comprehensive briefing on Good Laboratory Practices
(GLP)
and Safe Laboratory Practices (SLP) to instill a strong awareness of safety in the lab environment.</li>
<li> <u>Laboratory Tour:</u> Subsequently, we conducted a guided tour of our lab, providing explanations
for the
various pieces of equipment we utilized; this included demonstrations and explanations of our
centrifuges, shaker incubators, -20°C and 4°C refrigerators, fume hood, weighing balance, pH meter, gel
electrophoresis and SDS-PAGE setup, and the thermocycler. </li>
<li> <u>Interactive Sessions:</u> To maintain engagement and foster hands-on learning, we demonstrated how
to
work within the Laminar Airflow hood, operate the pH meter, and use the UV spectrophotometer. We also
showcased how to visualize gels under the UV Transilluminator. We also emphasized the importance of
wearing gloves while preparing and working with gel and adding dye (SYBR et al.) as a neurotoxin.</li>
<li> <u>Autoclaving and Decontamination:</u> The final segment of the session centered on the crucial
processes
of autoclaving and decontamination, emphasizing their significance in maintaining lab hygiene and
safety.</li>
</ol>
The students expressed their gratitude for the informative and engaging sessions, and they enthusiastically
embraced the opportunity to familiarize themselves with laboratory safety protocols and equipment. These
sessions provided them with valuable knowledge and an inspiring introduction to the exciting world of
scientific research within our team.</p>
<img class="mt-5 img-fluid" src="https://static.igem.wiki/teams/4641/wiki/education/lab-safety-2.png"
scale="style:0.8">
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<img src="https://static.igem.wiki/teams/4641/wiki/education/lab-safety-3.png" class="img-fluid mt-4"
style="scale:0.9">
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<h2 class="accordion-header" id="heading">
<button class="accordion-button collapsed" type="button" data-bs-toggle="collapse"
data-bs-target="#collapseSixteen" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapseSixteen">
<b>Debate Workshop on Biotechnology Ethics— Date:13/09/23</b>
</button>
</h2>
<div id="collapseSixteen" class="accordion-collapse collapse" aria-labelledby="headingSixteen">
<div class="accordion-body">
<p>Organizing a debate workshop on "Synthetic Biology and Biotechnology Ethics" with LDQ (Literary, Debate,
and Quiz Society), a student cultural club at MIT, Manipal, has allowed our iGEM team to take a proactive
role in promoting science communication and education. This workshop not only provided us with a unique
platform to discuss bioethics but also allowed us to facilitate meaningful conversations among
participants.<br><br>
The workshop discussed the <b>ethical considerations</b> surrounding vaccine development, offering a
timely and
relevant starting point for our deliberations. This discussion encouraged us to delve into the ethical
dilemmas associated with the rapid development and distribution of vaccines, setting the stage for the
broader exploration of ethical principles in science.<br><br>
One of the central lessons from the workshop was the exploration of utilitarian principles and dual-use
research concerns. Understanding utilitarianism prompted us to consider the greater societal good and the
potential consequences of our scientific endeavours. We emphasized the importance of <b>scientists'
responsibility</b> to ensure their work does not inadvertently lead to harmful applications,
highlighting
dual-use research concerns.<br><br>
Our round-table discussion on gene therapy to enhance human functions further broadened our understanding
of bioethical issues; this allowed us to explore the ethical boundaries of human enhancement and the
nuanced considerations that come into play when we manipulate our genetic makeup.<br><br>
Throughout the workshop, the subjectivity of ethics emerged as a critical theme. We emphasized that
ethical judgments can vary among individuals and cultures, underlining the need for open dialogue and
considering diverse perspectives when making ethical decisions.<br><br>
We ended the workshop with a British Parliamentary-style debate on the motion, "This house would restart
research and development in bioweapons." In summary, the workshop reinforced that scientific, ethical
decisions are often complex and demand thoughtful consideration of potential consequences. It underscored
the importance of engaging in <b>open dialogue</b>, respecting diverse viewpoints, and effectively
communicating
complex ideas.<br><br></p>
<img src="https://static.igem.wiki/teams/4641/wiki/education/ldq-ethics-workshop1.png"
class="img-fluid mt-1" style="scale:0.9">
<img src="https://static.igem.wiki/teams/4641/wiki/education/ldq-ethics-workshop-5.jpeg"
class="img-fluid mt-1" style="scale:0.9">
<img src="https://static.igem.wiki/teams/4641/wiki/education/ldq-ethics-workshop-6.png"
class="img-fluid mt-1" style="scale:0.9">
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="accordion-item">
<h2 class="accordion-header" id="headingSeventeen">
<button class="accordion-button collapsed" type="button" data-bs-toggle="collapse"
data-bs-target="#collapseSeventeen" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapseSeventeen">
<b>Introduction to Science Project sessions</b>
</button>
</h2>
<div id="collapseSeventeen" class="accordion-collapse collapse" aria-labelledby="headingSeventeen">
<div class="accordion-body">
<p>Our team conducted an educational program aimed at college students, providing them with a comprehensive
introduction to various critical topics related to synthetic biology and biotechnology. The sessions
covered a wide range of subjects, including research methodologies, hardware and software components of
scientific projects, in silico modeling, the importance of research in projects, guidelines for human
practices, and the significance of interconnectivity among projects worldwide. To assess the student's
understanding and application of these concepts, we designed a series of tasks, some of which are listed
below:<br><br><u>
Task 0: Basics of Biotechnology</u><br>
<ul>
<li>This task served as a refresher, briefly covering fundamental biotechnology concepts and requiring
citations or resource links for answers.</li>
</ul>
<u>Task 1: Research Paper Analysis</u><br>
<ul>
<li>Students were tasked with selecting a research paper related to synthetic biology or biotechnology and
summarizing its critical features in 800-1200 words.</li>
</ul>
<u>Task 2: In-Depth Understanding</u><br>
<ul>
<li>Students were required to produce a detailed 2500-word report on essential topics:</li>
<li>Understanding proteins and their significance in living organisms.</li>
<li>Profound comprehension of protein structures and alternative classification methods.</li>
<li>Study of RNA, its functions, different RNA types, and exploration of unfamiliar RNA variants.</li>
<li>Utilizing translation and back-translation tools for a specific DNA sequence.</li>
</ul>
<u>Task 3: Innovative Human Practices Ideas</u><br>
<ul>
<li>For each chosen field of Biology, they proposed innovative Human Practices (HP) ideas aligned with
sub-categories such as Community Engagement, iHP, Education, Outreach and Science Communication,
Entrepreneurship, and Inclusivity.</li>
</ul>
Overall, the tasks were designed in a way that idea creativity was encouraged, yet at the same time, basic
concepts were strengthened. Therefore, our educational program engaged college students in a
<b>multifaceted</b>
synthetic biology and biotechnology exploration. The tasks we designed aimed to educate and assess their
comprehension and application of the knowledge acquired. Through these tasks, we strived to foster a deeper
understanding of the field and encourage creative thinking while maintaining academic rigor and ethical
research practices.</p>
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<iframe src="https://static.igem.wiki/teams/4641/wiki/education/session0-summary.pdf"
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<p class="sub-stuff" style="text-align:center">summary of content taught at one of the sessions</p>
<img class="img-fluid mt-3" style="scale:0.7"
src="https://static.igem.wiki/teams/4641/wiki/education/clipping-of-the-online-classroom-to-track-submissions-and-ensure-that-the-students-were-engaging-actively-in-a-two-way-dialogue.png"><br>
<p class="sub-stuff" style="text-align:center">clipping of the online classroom to track submissions and
ensure that the students were engaging actively in a two way dialogue</p>
</div>
</div>
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<b>Webinar on “Computational Methods in Synthetic Biology” — Date: 04/10/23</b>
</button>
</h2>
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<p>30 collegiate students attended the webinar held by iGEM MIT_MAHE on 4th October 2023. We held this
webinar as integrating computation with pure biological fields is relatively new. Therefore, college
students may need to be made aware of the potential of this emerging interdisciplinary topic. The
speaker, Olivia Gallup, is a DPhil student at the University of Oxford studying Synthetic Biology. She
covered topics ranging from <b>biochemical reaction networks to genetic circuits</b>. Post the webinar,
there
was a question session where doubts were cleared.</p>
<img
src="https://static.igem.wiki/teams/4641/wiki/education/screenshot-from-the-webinar-with-olivia-gallup-on-computational-methods-in-synthetic-biology.png"
class="img-fluid mt-4 rounded mx-auto d-block"><br>
<p class="sub-stuff"> Webinar with Olivia Gallup on Computational Methods in Synthetic Biology </p>
<img src="https://static.igem.wiki/teams/4641/wiki/education/poster-for-publicizing-the-webinar.png"
class="img-fluid mt-4 rounded mx-auto d-block">
<p class="sub-stuff">Poster for publicizing the webinar</p>
</div>
</div>
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</div>
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<p class='mt-5 MAIN-STUFF' id='section6'> Educating and gaining opinions from working professionals </p>
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<b>The Rotary Club of Coimbatore Metropolis, Coimbatore— Date: 20/06/23</b>
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<p>Our Team Leader, Aditi Balasubramani, visited a meeting hosted by the Rotary Club of Coimbatore
Metropolis. There, she gave a gist of the project and a basic overview of synthetic biology in a way
that was easy to understand for everyone present there. There were around 20 members in the audience;
they were Rotary members who were business people, mainly aged 40-60. They were very interested in the
synthetic biology aspect of bioremediation. However, there were mixed opinions on the idea of
genetically modified organisms and concerns about the accidental release of our modified organisms.
They were satisfied with the explanation of a kill switch and biocontainment strategies. Some felt
that GMOs were the future, while others were staunchly against it but were willing to listen and
understand more. This visit exposed the public’s opinions towards GMOs and bioremediation.</p>
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<b>Interviewing Working Professionals all over India</b>
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<div class="accordion-body">
<p>In an attempt to gauge the understanding of working professionals <b>about synthetic biology, GMOs, and
bioremediation</b>, a few of our team members conducted personal interviews with their family members.
They
asked them basic
questions about the same. We recorded their responses and conducted an online education session based
on the topics that needed more clarity and awareness.</p>
<p>The interview sessions entailed four major questions including “What is synthetic biology?”, “What are
GMOs?”, “What are your thoughts on GMOs?”, and “What do you understand by bioremediation?”. Coming from
various regional and educational backgrounds, our families’ answers varied a great deal. They ranged from
them
having no idea about it to detailed descriptions. Some of them even pointed out applications of synthetic
biology and GMOs. One thing that remained more or less common across everyone was the fact that they were
open
to the implementation of GMOs if and only if proper safety measures were followed. </p><br>
<p>What stood out to us from these sessions was the fact that our participation in iGEM had helped our
parents
and siblings get a better understanding about certain scientific terms. A few of their answers mentioned
that
they had heard these terms from us or seen it in our Project Promotion video. Our main goal with these
sessions was to ensure that <b>education begins at home and spreads across the local community</b>!</p>
<br>
<p>
We held an education session that was geared at working professionals. A thorough introduction to iGEM and
synthetic biology was given throughout the session, with special emphasis placed on the <b>issue of
triclocarban (TCC) accumulation in the environment</b> and our proposed solution, which involves using
synthetic biology to modify bacteria for eco-friendly TCC degradation. This initiative was aimed at
fostering
a welcoming environment. The Q&A session was a high point because it allowed us to address a wide range of
queries, such as those regarding the containment of their solution, the project's scalability, and cost
analysis for the bioreactor. To guarantee that the guests departed with a <b>better knowledge about the
complexities of the project</b>, we addressed their questions in plain words.<br><br>
</p>
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