We visited Shenzhen Shekou Yucai Education Group's Taiziwan Primary School to hold sci-pop activities for over 30 pupils.

During the event, we explained the central dogma to the children. We used fun interactive questions to spark their thinking, like "Why can some people bend their thumbs backward, have earlobes, or have double eyelids?" This successfully piqued their curiosity and encouraged them to participate actively.

Next, we introduced our project design. We compared citrus aphid infestations to human illnesses, explaining, “Just like humans take medicine when they're sick, we help citrus fight diseases by injecting the trees.” We also noted that we use safe RNA biopesticides to address crop diseases precisely.

Finally, we encouraged the children to think critically. We asked them to share their views on the project's products and synthetic biology freely, which promoted more thinking and discussion.

Feedback:

The children participated with great enthusiasm. Over 80% of them said they wanted to learn more about biological knowledge. During the interaction, some children asked thought-provoking questions, like “Will the medicine injected into trees affect birds or bees?” This made us realize we need to explain the safety of RNA biopesticides more thoroughly to help children understand better.

The Popular Science Education Base Federation and Central Primary School of Shenzhen-Shantou Cooperation Zone led the children to Shenzhen University's iGEM Laboratory. There, the kids experienced scientific research charm up closely and gained a more intuitive, in-depth understanding of research work.

In the lab, we taught the kids a sci-pop class "The Battle between Aphids and Citrus." We showed them aphid details under a stereomicroscope—mouthparts, egg-laying, honeydew leaves, and aphids dying from RNA biopesticides — which sparked their research interest. The kids asked questions like "Why do aphids harm citrus?" so we explained theory more vividly. We also had them move from "watching" to "doing": with guidance, they adjusted the microscope and used a pipette, getting close to experiments and feeling research's fun.

Feedback:

This visible, hands-on learning method let kids go from “listening passively” to “asking actively,” drawing them into learning more naturally. After the event, some kids said, “Becoming a scientist doesn't seem so far-fetched. I want to be a biology researcher too.” The event helped kids realize that scientific research isn't separate from life, but a practical way to solve real-life problems.

The "Little Migratory Bird Summer Camp" is a "Happiness Project" that China Construction Science & Industry has run for 11 years. In China, migratory birds stand for "yearning and care". Most kids in the camp are "little ones" who have short reunions with their parents who are builders. They’re just like migratory birds, carrying hopes for family love and longing for companionship.

38 kids and parents (from 23 of China Construction Science & Industry’s builder families) engaged in the activities. We tailored explanations: for 4-12 year-olds, RNA biopesticides were "invisible guardians" protecting "orange babies"; for parents, we focused on daily concerns, comparing RNA and traditional pesticides and highlighting their benefits. We also showed microbial paintings, collected kids’ favorite patterns, and later mailed finished works' photos to parents, which leaving a lasting memory.

Feedback:

During the event, kids showed a strong interest in synthetic biology. They excitedly told parents: “Mom, RNA is a little guardian that protects citrus—it’s amazing!” “Aphids are so tiny, even smaller than my teeth!" Parents also expressed appreciation and recognition for their children's gains.

Afterward, many parents mentioned that because of their busy work, they rarely had the chance to discuss knowledge or exchange ideas with their children. This event not only showed them their children's curiosity and potential but also made them realize how important it is to spend time exploring the world together. The event gave families of China Construction Science & Industry builders a valuable opportunity to connect with their children and better understand their perspectives.

We visited Shenzhen Shekou Yucai Education Group's Taiziwan Primary School to hold sci-pop activities for over 30 pupils.

During the event, we explained the central dogma to the children. We used fun interactive questions to spark their thinking, like "Why can some people bend their thumbs backward, have earlobes, or have double eyelids?" This successfully piqued their curiosity and encouraged them to participate actively.

Next, we introduced our project design. We compared citrus aphid infestations to human illnesses, explaining, “Just like humans take medicine when they're sick, we help citrus fight diseases by injecting the trees.” We also noted that we use safe RNA biopesticides to address crop diseases precisely.

Finally, we encouraged the children to think critically. We asked them to share their views on the project's products and synthetic biology freely, which promoted more thinking and discussion.

Feedback:

The children participated with great enthusiasm. Over 80% of them said they wanted to learn more about biological knowledge. During the interaction, some children asked thought-provoking questions, like “Will the medicine injected into trees affect birds or bees?” This made us realize we need to explain the safety of RNA biopesticides more thoroughly to help children understand better.

The Popular Science Education Base Federation and Central Primary School of Shenzhen-Shantou Cooperation Zone led the children to Shenzhen University's iGEM Laboratory. There, the kids experienced scientific research charm up closely and gained a more intuitive, in-depth understanding of research work.

In the lab, we taught the kids a sci-pop class "The Battle between Aphids and Citrus." We showed them aphid details under a stereomicroscope—mouthparts, egg-laying, honeydew leaves, and aphids dying from RNA biopesticides — which sparked their research interest. The kids asked questions like "Why do aphids harm citrus?" so we explained theory more vividly. We also had them move from "watching" to "doing": with guidance, they adjusted the microscope and used a pipette, getting close to experiments and feeling research's fun.

Feedback:

This visible, hands-on learning method let kids go from “listening passively” to “asking actively,” drawing them into learning more naturally. After the event, some kids said, “Becoming a scientist doesn't seem so far-fetched. I want to be a biology researcher too.” The event helped kids realize that scientific research isn't separate from life, but a practical way to solve real-life problems.

The "Little Migratory Bird Summer Camp" is a "Happiness Project" that China Construction Science & Industry has run for 11 years. In China, migratory birds stand for "yearning and care". Most kids in the camp are "little ones" who have short reunions with their parents who are builders. They’re just like migratory birds, carrying hopes for family love and longing for companionship.

38 kids and parents (from 23 of China Construction Science & Industry’s builder families) engaged in the activities. We tailored explanations: for 4-12 year-olds, RNA biopesticides were "invisible guardians" protecting "orange babies"; for parents, we focused on daily concerns, comparing RNA and traditional pesticides and highlighting their benefits. We also showed microbial paintings, collected kids’ favorite patterns, and later mailed finished works' photos to parents, which leaving a lasting memory.

Feedback:

During the event, kids showed a strong interest in synthetic biology. They excitedly told parents: “Mom, RNA is a little guardian that protects citrus—it’s amazing!” “Aphids are so tiny, even smaller than my teeth!" Parents also expressed appreciation and recognition for their children's gains.

Afterward, many parents mentioned that because of their busy work, they rarely had the chance to discuss knowledge or exchange ideas with their children. This event not only showed them their children's curiosity and potential but also made them realize how important it is to spend time exploring the world together. The event gave families of China Construction Science & Industry builders a valuable opportunity to connect with their children and better understand their perspectives.