Education Component

• Introduction
• Work module
• Training courses
• Performed Practices
• Bibliography
• Annexes

Education practices with minors

Performing laboratory practices with children familiarizes them with topics about synthetic biology from an early age. Children who become familiar with these issues at an early age increases the odds of them accepting this science when they grow up. For this, we have prepared small activities depending on the degree of schooling that arise. Children from last grade of elementary school were chosen, for the ease of interaction with them and because children around that age are more open to learn new lessons.

Activities

Games: Children have the ability to enjoy and seize every activity performed (UNICEF, 2002). We used various games where their knowledge was put into practice. As resources for these activities, cardboard platforms, puzzles and dice were designed. Important issues, such as the composition of DNA, processes transcription, translation and DNA replication, and amino acid composition of proteins were taught in the simple way.

Laboratories: In the laboratory practices for children, we have implemented and developed easy to perform protocols. The team imparted several workshops for children aged 10 to 12 years. In addition, small laboratory practices are hoped to be developed, based on synthetic biology and related sciences, for elementary school teachers to implement in their institutions. One example of such practices is the extraction of DNA from a fruit.

General public

Educational practices in the education section are not only limited to professionals or students; they also focus on an open and more diverse audience. Basic ways in which you can convey the development of synthetic biology, advances, applications and databases in public events were designed. This will keep informed a wider audience.

Team exposition in fairs, festivals and special events: Presentations and exhibitions at public events, inform the general public about the progress of synthetic biology. The team attended the tenth Panamerican Fair organized by Zamorano, which attracts the attention of Honduran, Salvadoran and Nicaraguan population. Thanks to the popularity of the fair, we reached over the 15,000 people who attended the event and actively participated in lectures, small laboratory practices and small conversations with team members and advisors. It is expected for us, the Zamorano team, to participate in cultural events and exhibitions, where we may be reach a wider audience.

Enterview with social media: Along with the communication and marketing department of our institution, we have organized various ways to transmit information through several information channels; so that we can transmit the advances of the team.

Social networks: By having the opportunity to be on social networks, team progress, activities undertaken, progress of synthetic biology, relevant scientific research, applications and other information related to synthetic biology is transmitted.

• Facebook: The iGEM Zamorano team has its own Facebook account, which is updated daily with information relevant to synthetic biolog, in order to get to our followers in an efficient way. 40% of our fans are youngsters and 96% are Hispanic. This allows the team to interact very personally with its fans, and thus know their tastes and how they learn. And so, publish interactive, relevant and quality information. It is intended for the team´s reach reach to continue to grow; the team wants to have more followers to its activities in IGEM and in Zamorano so information about synthetic biology can reach more people.

• YouTube: The team´s YouTube channel transmits through interactive videos synthetic biology advances, applications, and other relevant topics such as international competition and publics IGEM events. The publications will be constant, depending on themes and activities the team does. Each of the videos will be revised by professionals so the information to be conveyed is of high quality and value; and to serve as an educational way and replication in different parts of the region.