Educational Initiatives Overview
We introduced Year 5 students to body part functions, engaged Year 6 and 7 with the Bronze CREST Award CCA, and taught Year 9 students micropipetting techniques, creating a clear CREST pathway for Years 7-13. Beyond school, we arranged a session with Stepping Stones, where we taught children about DNA, micropipetting, and iGEM. Looking ahead, we plan to expand and promote these initiatives to other Wellington schools across China, fostering a wider culture of scientific exploration.
Key Impact Areas
- Multi-age Engagement: Programs spanning Year 5 through Year 13
- Hands-on Learning: Practical laboratory skills and scientific methodology
- Community Outreach: Partnership with Stepping Stones for disadvantaged children
- Future Expansion: Plans to extend to Wellington schools across China
Year 5: Introduction to Body Part Functions
Within our school, we engaged with multiple age groups to build understanding in biology. We met with several biology classes in Year 5 and took rotations on identifying and explaining functions of a variety of tissues and organs using models including ears, cells, and flowers to build their foundational understanding of biology and how living organisms worked.
Learning Objectives
- Introduction to basic biological concepts through interactive demonstrations
- Anatomical education covering major organ systems
- Development of scientific observation skills using physical models
- Understanding tissue and organ functions in living organisms
Bronze CREST Award CCA
The Bronze CREST Award is a competition aimed at 11+ children interested in STEM. In our school, we introduced a CCA targeted at Year 7 students. We presented the opportunity to Year 6 students, encouraging them to develop their own research questions and experiments with school resources to spark curiosity in scientific exploration. Some were inspired to join the CCA, which also helped to prepare those who were interested in becoming part of iGEM.
CREST Award Pathway
We established a structured pathway from Year 7 through Year 13, providing students with progressive opportunities to develop research skills, scientific methodology, and independent investigation capabilities. This pathway serves as preparation for future iGEM participation and advanced scientific research.
Specialized CCAs and Programs
To further broaden opportunities, we established the Experimentalist CCA for Years 7 and 8, and Biotechnology for Beginners for Years 9 and 10, where students learned about laboratory safety and aseptic techniques, the importance of keeping laboratory notebooks, and practical skills essential for future iGEM success.
Experimentalist CCA (Years 7-8)
- Laboratory safety protocols and procedures
- Introduction to aseptic techniques
- Basic experimental design and methodology
- Scientific documentation practices
Biotechnology for Beginners (Years 9-10)
- Advanced laboratory techniques
- Laboratory notebook maintenance
- Equipment handling and storage protocols
- Preparation for iGEM participation
Micropipetting Skills Training
For older age groups who were more capable of using lab equipment, we taught skills on micropipetting. We demonstrated the right way to handle and store lab equipment while making it hands-on and intriguing. Using micropipettes, petri dishes, ink, and paper cutout designs, we explained how to use a micropipette and then gave the students a chance to experience it themselves by taking different colored inks and placing them on petri dishes with paper stencils to make their own designs while maintaining safe lab practice.
Technical Skills Developed
- Equipment Handling: Proper micropipette operation and maintenance
- Safety Protocols: Laboratory safety and equipment storage procedures
- Precision Techniques: Accurate liquid handling and transfer methods
- Creative Application: Combining technical skills with artistic design projects
Stepping Stones Partnership
Out of school, we contacted a program called Stepping Stones which helps improve the education and welfare of disadvantaged children in China. We arranged a session where we could introduce our goals and teach them about DNA and micropipetting.
DNA Structure Activity
Our first activity involved DNA and was a paper craft where the children made a 3D paper model of DNA. We first talked about the features and structure of DNA, including its double helix and base pairings, and afterwards, helped the children cut and fold the DNA models.
Hands-on Micropipetting
The second activity was micropipetting. We introduced the equipment and the uses that it has in biology, then let them get hands-on with how to use them to make designs on petri dishes while we helped guide them.
Community Impact
Through our partnership with Stepping Stones, we extended scientific education to disadvantaged children, providing them with exposure to advanced laboratory techniques and molecular biology concepts that they might not otherwise have access to. This initiative demonstrates our commitment to making scientific education accessible to all, regardless of socioeconomic background.
Looking Forward: Expanding Our Reach
In reflecting on our work, we've helped spark curiosity and built a foundation for scientific exploration across multiple age groups—from introduction to body functions to CREST Award participation and hands-on micropipetting. We've inspired a passion for science both in school and with Stepping Stones.
Future Initiatives
Moving forward, we aim to expand these initiatives to other Wellington schools across China, continuing to inspire the next generation of scientists. Our plans include:
- Establishing educational partnerships with Wellington schools throughout China
- Developing standardized curriculum materials for synthetic biology education
- Creating a network of student mentors to support younger learners
- Expanding our partnership with Stepping Stones to reach more communities
- Building a sustainable pipeline of future iGEM participants
Our journey here is just beginning, and we can't wait to see where it leads. Through these educational initiatives, we're not just teaching scientific concepts—we're fostering a culture of curiosity, critical thinking, and innovation that will shape the future of synthetic biology in China and beyond.