Team:Estonia TUIT/Education

Introduction

Throughout the year our team organized various workshops, scientific art exhibition, escape room,participated in many science fairs, and introduced the fundamental principles of synthetic biology to a wider audience of different ages and fields. And we do not just do it, we do it in an entertaining and funny way. We do not teach with complex over-the-head explanations, we teach while playing.

Our workshops

Using simple, fun, and most importantly, memorable and engaging experiments we allow people from various fields, age groups, and cultures to get acquainted with the lab work experience and terminology. While doing the experiments, solving quizzes, trying to escape from the escape-room, people study not only the fundamentals but also more narrow parts of certain fields of science such as biology, chemistry, physics, genetics, and others.

Some of our workshops we use on educational events for a wider audience.

DNA puzzle

DNA extraction

Traffic lights

Paper chromatography

Quiz

Escape Room

We are constantly improving our educational material and developing workshops for our collection. Workshops are at the same time entertaining and educational, diverse, cover a wide range of topics and suit people of all ages and education levels. This brings together different people and encourages to think more about world problems, makes people more familiar with synthetic biology and other life sciences, and motivates to study. So, all together we can make the world a better place.

Engaging description of our journey and SPARKLE project

Comics

Muggle Journal

Escape
Room

Public events

click on the button to read more

Online Journal

22.11.19. Article about our team and project in the online journal (in Estonian)

Students from Pskov

23.10.2019. Visit of high-school students from Pskov.

High School Visit

22.11.2019 High School Visit to Estonian School Läänemere Gymnasium during the “Success Day”.

Article in “Novaator”

27.11.19. Article in Popular science journal Novaator (in Estonian).

Robotex 2019

29.11 - 1.12.19

Interview on Estonian Radio.

2.12.19

New Technologies Tackling the Carbon Crisis

03.12.2019

Career Day

4.12.19. Career Day in Estonian High School Lasnamäe Gymnasium

Study in Tartu

09.01.20. Õpi Tartus (Study in Tartu) education fair in Tallinn. .

Open Doors Day.

30.01.20. University of Tartu Open doors day for 9^th grade students.

Education fairs and info sessions

Pskov Education Fair.

Info session at Moscow University

Info session in the Estonian Embassy in Moscow.

Info session in Sankt-Petersburg.

Visit Sankt-Petersburg Classical Gymnasium nr. 610 in Sankt-Petersburg, Russia.

Visit to NIS Chemistry-Biology High School in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Visit to NIS Physics-Mathematics High School in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Almaty education Fair.

Tashkent Education Fair.

Skola 2020

28.02 - 1.03.2020. Skola 2020 education fair in Riga.

Open Doors Day

26.02.2020. University of Tartu Open Doors day.

Science & Technology Webinar.

18.03.20

Interview on TV

21.05.20. ETV+ interview. “Financial situation in Estonian science”.

Welcome Video

10.06.2020. Welcome videos to new S&T and Bioengineering students.

Science & Technology Video.

The funny video to engage more people to study synthetic biology. In the Science & Technology program iGEM is part of the curriculum.

Opinion Festival

15.08.2020. Opinion Festival 2020 (Arvamus festival).

Workshop in Võru

Workshop in Narva nr. 1

Workshop in Narva nr. 2

Workshop at AHAA

Discover Your Europe at the Hermitage.

Art exhibition and Escape Room.

DNA puzzle game.

To explain DNA complementarity rules we have created a DNA puzzle. In this interactive activity, participants have to put together words, which are connected to our project. The trick is that the letters could be connected only if their “DNA” overhangs match. We found that this type of activity attracts people of all age groups, and at the end of the game, they are familiar with the DNA complementarity rules. Therefore, we may state that our DNA puzzle is a good example of educational material and could fairly easily be adjusted to meet different purposes.

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DNA extraction workshop

Our team's classic experiment for the fourth year is DNA extraction from kiwi. And if last year we traveled to Russia with this workshop, then this year we made it to Kazakhstan. And no matter how many times we do it, people are always interested in the opportunity to see DNA with the naked eye. But apart from the entertainment part, participants also learn the scientific principles behind the funny experiment. We teach them why we always add detergent, and what would happen if you forget to add salt (spoiler: DNA will not precipitate). We are always excited to see how the workshop participants learn something new.

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Traffic lights workshop

This year, we have added a traffic light experiment to our workshop collection. With that we teach the participants about oscillating reactions. People are very fascinated to witness an eye-catching color changing experiment and to understand the underlying chemical principles that are behind this experiment.

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Paper chromatography workshop

We believe that everything in life should be beautiful. And our paper chromatography experiment is a good example of this. It is 50% science and 50% art. Participants make paper roses and color them using different markers. The capillary effect allows for dyes to migrate in the filter paper and produce extraordinarily colorful pallets and patterns. We have conducted this workshop several times this season, with over a hundred participants, and all of them were very excited with the result as well as were interested in the scientific background of the experiment.

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Quiz

1) the awareness of different facts varies greatly. 80% of our respondents knew that yeast belongs to the fungi kingdom whilst the function of lipid droplets was known only by half of the respondents.

2) most respondents associated synthetic biology and its usage with agriculture, medicine and cosmetics. Some thought that it could be applied in aerospace as well. On the other hand, almost none of our respondents thought of the media and plane industries as the right answer.

3) more than 80% of the respondents were familiar with baker’s yeast and its usage in cooking and research. Use of the baker’s yeast in chemical production processes was also known by more than 75% of the participants.

4) synthetic biology’s importance and impact on overcoming global issues was also widely known among our participants.

Read the complete report.

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Escape Room

Another engaging and interesting activity we organized this year was an escape room, but definitely not a typical or a classic one. Participants had the chance to familiarize themselves with certain scientific facts while trying to escape in time. During the 25 minutes inside the room, they got to learn about:

• the DNA, its structure (spatial model and functions, its role in inheritance and its chemical composition).
• the influence and impact of women in science and famous examples of breakthroughs made by women such as Rosalind Franklin, Marie Curie, and others.
• the structure of the cells, organelles and their roles in the body.
• the history of the periodic table and the fluorescent properties of some elements (the cause of this phenomenon and how it can be used).
• the main chemicals present in food and their particular roles and functions.

Our public activities not only increase the general interest in the field of natural sciences but also give people a good and memorable understanding of how the world functions.

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Online Journal

Our team described achievements in a popular Estonian online journal Delfi, where we described our iGem team’s 2019 project, and the unique Science&Technology and Bioengineering programs at the University of Tartu, which includes iGEM as a course.
Link to the article

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Students from Pskov

Estonia_TUIT iGEM team and the Science&Technology program students welcomed pupils from Pskov who want to study at the University of Tartu. Our secondary PI Dr. Ilona Faustova with some of iGem team members gave them a tour at the Institute of Technology and spoke about the unique features of the S&T program and the possibility to participate in iGEM. Secondary PI also gave some insight into the potential development opportunities in the area of science and technology, initiated a discussion about iGEM, where students who participated in iGEM shared their experiences, and answered their questions.

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High School Visit

Our team’s secondary PI and iGEM team member Aleksandra Panfilova visited the Career day ("Success day") held in one of the Tallinn’s schools (Läänemere Gymnasium). Dr. Ilona Faustova talked about her career choices and the great opportunities that modern students have. She described the iGEM project and answered the students’ questions.

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Article in “Novaator”

Polular science journal in Estonia Novaator published the article about Tartu TUIT 2019 iGEM project, and the unique Science&Technology and Bioengineering programs at the University of Tartu, which includes iGEM as a course.

Read more

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Robotex 2019. 29.11 - 1.12.19.

Our Secondary PI and team members held several workshops during the Robotex 2019 competition and engaged with participants and visitors on our university stand. We believe that interdisciplinary collaboration and exchange of skills and experience are necessary to drive science further beyond the horizon. We have introduced the Science&Technology program, where iGEM is a part of the curriculum.

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Interview on Estonian Radio 2.12.19.

Our Secondary PI Dr. Ilona Faustova visited one of the most popular radio stations in Estonia and gave an interview about our team’s iGEM project. . Link to the interview (in Russian, 2nd segment)

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New Technologies Tackling the Carbon Crisis 03.12.2019.

Our team’s PI prof. Mart Loog organised and participated in the “New technologies tackling the carbon crisis” event held at the Estonian Academy of Sciences on the 3rd of December, 2019. The seminar introduced new technologies and focused on gas fermentation as one of the key technologies with significant potential towards combating the global carbon crisis through enabling the sustainable production of fuels and chemicals from waste feedstock. This event is very important to promote novel ideas and spread scientific knowledge to a wider audience.

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Lasnamäe gymnasium Career day 4.12.19.

Our team instructor visited a school in Tallinn to promote Science&Technology program, our iGEM team project, engage people in synthetic biology, and held a workshop on how DNA research can help solve crimes.

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Study in Tartu

Our team members along with our Secondary PI Dr. Ilona Faustova participated in Õpi Tartus education fair. We held the workshop with interactive DNA puzzles, DNA extraction experiment and discussed our team project, iGEM in general and what are the future challenges for the next generation scientists. We also introduced the innovative Science&Technology program which includes iGEM as a course.

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Open Doors Day

We were honored to have the chance to engage with the very talented teenagers from all around Estonia. We gave several workshops on DNA extraction, introduced the innovative Science & Technology program, iGEM, our team’s project and discussed the rapidly emerging field of synthetic biology. .

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Education fairs and info sessions

During the info sessions and education fairs that we do each year, our team’s secondary PI, Dr Ilona Faustova and iGEM team members talks about the opportunity of studying science and technology and MS in bioengineering at the University of Tartu. In these events she also introduces the biggest synthetic biology competition called iGEM and how our Institute of Technology provides a chance for the first-year undergraduate students to participate in and join the only Estonian iGEM team in this challenging global event.

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2.02.20. Pskov Education Fair.

During the info sessions and education fairs that we do each year, our team’s secondary PI, Dr Ilona Faustova and iGEM team members talks about the opportunity of studying science and technology and MS in bioengineering at the University of Tartu. In these events she also introduces the biggest synthetic biology competition called iGEM and how our Institute of Technology provides a chance for the first-year undergraduate students to participate in and join the only Estonian iGEM team in this challenging global event.

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7.02.20. Info session in the Moscow University.

During the info sessions and education fairs that we do each year, our team’s secondary PI, Dr Ilona Faustova and iGEM team members talks about the opportunity of studying science and technology and MS in bioengineering at the University of Tartu. In these events she also introduces the biggest synthetic biology competition called iGEM and how our Institute of Technology provides a chance for the first-year undergraduate students to participate in and join the only Estonian iGEM team in this challenging global event.

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8.02.20. Info session in the Estonian Embassy in Moscow.

During the info sessions and education fairs that we do each year, our team’s secondary PI, Dr Ilona Faustova and iGEM team members talks about the opportunity of studying science and technology and MS in bioengineering at the University of Tartu. In these events she also introduces the biggest synthetic biology competition called iGEM and how our Institute of Technology provides a chance for the first-year undergraduate students to participate in and join the only Estonian iGEM team in this challenging global event.

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9.02.20. Info session in Sankt-Petersburg.

During the info sessions and education fairs that we do each year, our team’s secondary PI, Dr Ilona Faustova and iGEM team members talks about the opportunity of studying science and technology and MS in bioengineering at the University of Tartu. In these events she also introduces the biggest synthetic biology competition called iGEM and how our Institute of Technology provides a chance for the first-year undergraduate students to participate in and join the only Estonian iGEM team in this challenging global event.

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10.02.20. Visit Sankt-Petersburg Classical Gymnasium nr. 610 in Sankt-Petersburg, Russia.

During the info sessions and education fairs that we do each year, our team’s secondary PI, Dr Ilona Faustova and iGEM team members talks about the opportunity of studying science and technology and MS in bioengineering at the University of Tartu. In these events she also introduces the biggest synthetic biology competition called iGEM and how our Institute of Technology provides a chance for the first-year undergraduate students to participate in and join the only Estonian iGEM team in this challenging global event.

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19.02.2020. Visit to NIS Chemistry-Biology High School in Almaty, Kazakhstan

During the info sessions and education fairs that we do each year, our team’s secondary PI, Dr Ilona Faustova and iGEM team members talks about the opportunity of studying science and technology and MS in bioengineering at the University of Tartu. In these events she also introduces the biggest synthetic biology competition called iGEM and how our Institute of Technology provides a chance for the first-year undergraduate students to participate in and join the only Estonian iGEM team in this challenging global event.

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20.02.2020. Visit to NIS Physics-Mathematics High School in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

During the info sessions and education fairs that we do each year, our team’s secondary PI, Dr Ilona Faustova and iGEM team members talks about the opportunity of studying science and technology and MS in bioengineering at the University of Tartu. In these events she also introduces the biggest synthetic biology competition called iGEM and how our Institute of Technology provides a chance for the first-year undergraduate students to participate in and join the only Estonian iGEM team in this challenging global event.

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23.02.2020. Almaty education Fair.

During the info sessions and education fairs that we do each year, our team’s secondary PI, Dr Ilona Faustova and iGEM team members talks about the opportunity of studying science and technology and MS in bioengineering at the University of Tartu. In these events she also introduces the biggest synthetic biology competition called iGEM and how our Institute of Technology provides a chance for the first-year undergraduate students to participate in and join the only Estonian iGEM team in this challenging global event.

Close

25.02.2020. Tashkent Education Fair.

During the info sessions and education fairs that we do each year, our team’s secondary PI, Dr Ilona Faustova and iGEM team members talks about the opportunity of studying science and technology and MS in bioengineering at the University of Tartu. In these events she also introduces the biggest synthetic biology competition called iGEM and how our Institute of Technology provides a chance for the first-year undergraduate students to participate in and join the only Estonian iGEM team in this challenging global event.

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28.02 - 1.03.2020. Skola 2020 education fair in Riga.

During the info sessions and education fairs that we do each year, our team’s secondary PI, Dr Ilona Faustova and iGEM team members talks about the opportunity of studying science and technology and MS in bioengineering at the University of Tartu. In these events she also introduces the biggest synthetic biology competition called iGEM and how our Institute of Technology provides a chance for the first-year undergraduate students to participate in and join the only Estonian iGEM team in this challenging global event.

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26.02.2020. University of Tartu Open Doors day.

University of Tartu Open Doors Day is an annual event when future students visit the University of Tartu campus. During this event, many workshops and seminars are held to help future students choose their profession more carefully and based on extensive information. Our iGEM team has participated in this event since 2017. Our team members talked to applicants, discussed study possibilities in the innovative Science & Technology program, and of course iGEM and how S&T students can join the only Estonian team and help tackle the global problems already after the 1st semester. Future students were excited to hear about our team project and actively participated in the discussion.

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18.03.20 Science & Technology Webinar.

Our secondary PI Dr. Ilona Faustova and team member Frida Matiyevskaya participated in the online webinar to promote Science&Technology program, synthetic biology, Estonian iGEM team, and encouraged high-school students to study science. Secondary PI spoke about the program, described the applications of science and technology in today’s world, and also elaborated about the iGEM, which is incorporated as a course into the study program.
Link

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21.05.20. ETV + interview. “Financial situation in Estonian science”.

Our team’s secondary PI Dr. Ilona Faustova discussed the financial situation in Estonian science and the role of the state and private sector in the development of innovative projects in Estonia.
Link

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10.06.2020. Welcome videos to new S&T and Bioengineering students.

We welcomed the new S&T students and potential iGEM members with welcome videos.
S&T video
Bioengineering video

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30.06.2020. Science & Technology program Graduation Video.

The funny video to engage more people to study synthetic biology. In the Science & Technology program iGEM is part of the curriculum.
Video link:

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15.08.2020. Opinion Festival 2020 (Arvamus festival).

Our primary PI prof. Mart Loog raised awareness about synthetic biology and spoke about the ability of more efficient and eco-friendly use of wood products, and how synthetic biology and so-called cell factories may produce high value compounds from the wood industry side products. This approach, also called bioeconomical, is believed to revolutionise the wood industry.
The discussion:

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22.08.2020 Workshop in Võru.

We held a workshop in Võru, where everyone could try to extract DNA from Kiwi, play a DNA puzzle game, and get to know about the innovative Science & Technology program at the University of Tartu. We also discussed the potential of the emerging synthetic biology field and introduced iGEM – the World’s biggest synthetic biology competition.

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29.08.2020. Workshop in Narva

We held a workshop in Narva, where everyone could try to extract DNA from Kiwi, play a DNA puzzle game, and get to know about the innovative Science & Technology program at the University of Tartu, engaged participants in the discussion about our project, and introduced iGEM. s

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5.09.2020. Workshop in Narva

Our workshop on 29.08.2020 was a success and organizers invited us to participate in their next event on the 5^th of September. We were happy to make one more workshop in Narva, engage a wider public in life sciences, introduce the Science & Technology program as well as discuss the frontiers in synthetic biology. We talked about our project and the iGEM team. Visitors of all ages were very excited to learn how they can extract and observe DNA from kiwi, and how fascinating DNA puzzle game can be.

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25.09.2020. Workshop at AHAA science center in Tartu.

For the 4^th year in a row, we participated in AHHAA science week, where we carried out workshops. Participants were excited to do several different experiments, prepare the paper chromatography experiment, do traffic lights experiments and our classic DNA extraction.We also engaged the participants in discussion about our iGEM project and introduced the innovative Science&Technology program.

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26.09.2020 Discover Your Europe at the Hermitage.

We were delighted to participate in Joint EU public diplomacy event in St Petersburg marking the European Day of Languages. This year it was held online and we provided 2 promotional videos for both BSc Science & Technology and MSc Bioengineering programs. There, we encouraged wider audience to join innovative Science&Technology, where iGEM is part of the study program, and where students may join the only Estonian iGEM team already after the 1st semester.
Event webpage:
S&T video:
Bioengineering:

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22.10.2020 Art exhibition and Escape Room. 22.10.2020

We held an international art exhibition (click to see artworks) dedicated to synthetic biology. We received a number of paintings from artists around the world and our visitors were interested in this modern art approach. Furthermore, we held the traffic lights, paper chromatography and DNA extraction workshops. Finally, event visitors were able to participate in the Escape Room, where they had to find the solution to different logical and biology-based riddles in order to accomplish the task i.e. escape the room. We discussed our team’s project, iGEM in general, and how Science&Technology students have the unique possibility to join the only Estonian iGEm team.

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Comics

To engage even more audience we have created the artistic comics to illustrate our team work this summer.

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Muggle Journal

iGEM is about bringing science closer to the community. We have written an article which explained our project idea in a simple, understandable way and is meant for a wider audience. It is important to fill the gap between science and society.

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Contact Us:

estoniatuit@gmail.com

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