Difference between revisions of "Team:Aalto-Helsinki/Outreach"
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<h2>Events</h2> | <h2>Events</h2> | ||
− | (pictures to be added by 16.9) | + | (more pictures to be added by 16.9) |
<p>To promote synthetic biology to the general public, we approached the people behind the yearly science festival <a href="http://thinkfest.helsinki.fi/english">Thinkfest</a>, organized by the University of Helsinki in early September. Thankfully, we were given a major role in organizing Science picnic, an event oriented mainly towards families. We brought with us microscopes to check out gram-stained bacteria with, amazing glow-in-the-dark bacteria and even a gene gun! Children could colour their own superhero bacterium and tell us its special ability, play <a href="http://igem-qsf.github.io/Flappy-coli/">Flappy Coli</a> previously developed by Aalto-Helsinki, or create super soap bubbles. We also had the chance to give a talk on synthetic biology, its possibilities and our project for an audience of general public in the center of Helsinki during the event.</p> | <p>To promote synthetic biology to the general public, we approached the people behind the yearly science festival <a href="http://thinkfest.helsinki.fi/english">Thinkfest</a>, organized by the University of Helsinki in early September. Thankfully, we were given a major role in organizing Science picnic, an event oriented mainly towards families. We brought with us microscopes to check out gram-stained bacteria with, amazing glow-in-the-dark bacteria and even a gene gun! Children could colour their own superhero bacterium and tell us its special ability, play <a href="http://igem-qsf.github.io/Flappy-coli/">Flappy Coli</a> previously developed by Aalto-Helsinki, or create super soap bubbles. We also had the chance to give a talk on synthetic biology, its possibilities and our project for an audience of general public in the center of Helsinki during the event.</p> | ||
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<p>Besides inspiring new iGEM teams, we will continue to actively promote iGEM and synthetic biology in our own universities, giving presentations to students in both University of Helsinki and Aalto University to ensure an ever growing number of applicants for the Aalto-Helsinki iGEM team.</p> | <p>Besides inspiring new iGEM teams, we will continue to actively promote iGEM and synthetic biology in our own universities, giving presentations to students in both University of Helsinki and Aalto University to ensure an ever growing number of applicants for the Aalto-Helsinki iGEM team.</p> | ||
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+ | <figure style="float:right;margin-left:20px;"> | ||
+ | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2015/e/e0/Aalto-Helsinki_meeting_with_biology_olympiad_students.jpg" style="width:500px;"/> | ||
+ | <figcaption>Meeting with students taking part in the International Biology Olympiad training.</figcaption> | ||
+ | </figure> | ||
<p>In addition to university students, we reached out to high schools to increase awareness of synthetic biology and iGEM. Our team members went to talk to students and teachers of Mäkelänrinne high school and Viikki high school. We also mentioned the high school track in hopes of inspiring students and high schools to form teams of their own. In addition we met with a dozen high school students in training for the <a href="http://www.ibo-info.org/">International Biology Olympiad</a>. These students were chosen for the training through a nationwide biology competition, thus representing some of the most motivated high school students in the whole country. We gave a presentation to them about synthetic biology, iGEM, our project and our study fields. We also heard about their training and interests. After presentations, we were very glad to notice how enthusiastic they were, bombarding us with questions about our project, synthetic biology and our studies. We likely met with some future iGEM participants that evening!</p> | <p>In addition to university students, we reached out to high schools to increase awareness of synthetic biology and iGEM. Our team members went to talk to students and teachers of Mäkelänrinne high school and Viikki high school. We also mentioned the high school track in hopes of inspiring students and high schools to form teams of their own. In addition we met with a dozen high school students in training for the <a href="http://www.ibo-info.org/">International Biology Olympiad</a>. These students were chosen for the training through a nationwide biology competition, thus representing some of the most motivated high school students in the whole country. We gave a presentation to them about synthetic biology, iGEM, our project and our study fields. We also heard about their training and interests. After presentations, we were very glad to notice how enthusiastic they were, bombarding us with questions about our project, synthetic biology and our studies. We likely met with some future iGEM participants that evening!</p> | ||
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+ | <figure style="float:left;margin-right:20px;"> | ||
+ | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2015/5/53/Aalto-Helsinki_Kemianteollisuus_workshop_2.jpg" style="width:500px;"/> | ||
+ | <figcaption>The Foresight workshop by organized the Chemical Industry Federation of Finland.</figcaption> | ||
+ | </figure> | ||
<p>Our team members also attended a workshop on the future of chemical industry, organized by the <a href="http://www.kemianteollisuus.fi/en/">Chemical Industry Federation of Finland</a>, an organization that represents a large portion of Finnish industry, including the biotechnology companies. The Foresight Project workshop was arranged by <a href="http://www.alternativefutures.fi">AlternativeFutures</a> and included brainstorming new ideas for current chemical industry and for the future, which were then rated by the level of impact and the requirements to implementation. </p> | <p>Our team members also attended a workshop on the future of chemical industry, organized by the <a href="http://www.kemianteollisuus.fi/en/">Chemical Industry Federation of Finland</a>, an organization that represents a large portion of Finnish industry, including the biotechnology companies. The Foresight Project workshop was arranged by <a href="http://www.alternativefutures.fi">AlternativeFutures</a> and included brainstorming new ideas for current chemical industry and for the future, which were then rated by the level of impact and the requirements to implementation. </p> | ||
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<!-- Media --> | <!-- Media --> | ||
<section id="media" class="active" data-anchor="media"> | <section id="media" class="active" data-anchor="media"> | ||
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+ | <div style="clear:both;"></div> | ||
<h2>Media</h2> | <h2>Media</h2> | ||
− | <p>To increase awareness of synthetic biology and iGEM among the general public, students, researchers and industry we approached a variety of magazines and newspapers, as well as other media outlets. The articles we were featured on can be found below.</p> | + | <p>To increase awareness of synthetic biology and iGEM among the general public, students, researchers and industry we approached a variety of magazines and newspapers, as well as other media outlets. We were also interviewed on the national radio (link) and were offered to take part in a radio series on synthetic biology, to be aired in the summer of 2016. The articles we were featured on can be found below.</p> |
− | < | + | <ul> |
+ | <li><a href="http://www.helsinki.fi/fi/uutiset/opiskelijat-kehittavat-biopolttoainetta-kansainvalisessa-kilpailussa">Story on University of Helsinki website (23.7.2015)</a></li> | ||
+ | <li><a href="http://www.biotalous.fi/producing-propane-from-cellulose-with-help-of-bacteria/?lang=en">Story on Bioeconomy blog (3.8.2015)</a></li> | ||
+ | <li><a href="http://www.teekkarintyokirja.fi/fi/summer-synthetic-biology">Story on Teekkarin työkirja (4.8.2014)</a></li> | ||
+ | <li><a href="http://www.helsinki.fi/ml/ajankohtaista/2015/2015igem.html?rss=mltdk">Story on University of Helsinki Faculty of Science website (10.8.2014)</a></li> | ||
+ | </ul> | ||
<h4>Website</h4> | <h4>Website</h4> | ||
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<h4>Companies, organizations and foundations</h4> | <h4>Companies, organizations and foundations</h4> | ||
+ | <figure style="float:right;margin-left:20px;"> | ||
+ | <img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2015/e/e4/Aalto-Helsinki_meeting_with_Jussi_Jantti.jpg" style="width:500px;"/> | ||
+ | <figcaption>Meeting with Jussi Jäntti from VTT, the Technical Research Centre of Finland.</figcaption> | ||
+ | </figure> | ||
<p>To contact companies, organizations and foundations, we formed a partnership squad within our team. In this work our goal was not just to raise money to cover our costs, but also to raise awareness of synthetic biology within companies and NGOs. Countless applications were written, and we indeed managed to get support from outside our universities as well. Besides this, the contacts we had gave us opportunities to reach out to a wider audience outside academia. For instance, the contacts we had led to our team members taking part in a workshop organized by the Chemical Industries Finland and writing a blog post about synthetic biology and our project on the website of Bioeconomy, a Finnish government program promoting usage of renewable resources to achieve sustainable development. We also contacted the <a href="http://www.vttresearch.com/about-us">Technical Research Centre of Finland (VTT)</a>, conveniently located across the street, who helped us a lot with their technical expertise by giving us access to their special equipment.</p> | <p>To contact companies, organizations and foundations, we formed a partnership squad within our team. In this work our goal was not just to raise money to cover our costs, but also to raise awareness of synthetic biology within companies and NGOs. Countless applications were written, and we indeed managed to get support from outside our universities as well. Besides this, the contacts we had gave us opportunities to reach out to a wider audience outside academia. For instance, the contacts we had led to our team members taking part in a workshop organized by the Chemical Industries Finland and writing a blog post about synthetic biology and our project on the website of Bioeconomy, a Finnish government program promoting usage of renewable resources to achieve sustainable development. We also contacted the <a href="http://www.vttresearch.com/about-us">Technical Research Centre of Finland (VTT)</a>, conveniently located across the street, who helped us a lot with their technical expertise by giving us access to their special equipment.</p> | ||
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Revision as of 03:15, 3 September 2015