Schools in Sweden
Which group is underrepresented when it comes to scientific knowledge? Children! Generally speaking, science is explained in an advanced way, requiring previous knowledge to build on. So what if you simplified it enough to be understandable for children? They are curious and want to learn, which is why we launched our educational package.
This package contains activities regarding synthetic biology: it was implemented in Swedish schools. We decided to target younger pupils, ages 6 to 9, and 10 to 13, as they usually do not get introduced to synthetic biology.
We provided a schedule and instructions for teachers of the package: we started off the day with a short video explaining what synthetic biology is. We divided the videos into two age groups, to fit the Swedish curriculum in biology. The introductory video was followed by biology charades. Watch the video 'What is synthetic biology?' below to get a better view of the day.
You can alternatively watch our videos on our youtube video here and here
Next the pupils learnt about the basics of DNA and how synthetic biology often works - by changing the DNA of bacteria. The pupils also learnt that GMOs have to be handled with caution. Watch the video 'How do we modify bacteria' below.
You can alternatively watch our videos on our youtube video here and here
To deepen their understanding of the topic, an exercise called 'Create your own Super Bacteria' was next. In this exercise the pupils were given four legos in different colours, each lego representing a biobrick. The pupils were invited to arrange their biobricks in a sequence of their choice and also to choose from which direction their construct was going to be read. Each construct corresponded to a superpower of their bacteria, according to our key. The pupils were invited to draw their bacteria; you can see some of their drawings below! We ended the day with a bacteria related running game and a kahoot summarizing the topics.
Figure 1: Artworks created by students at Vaksalaskolan, Uppsala
Figure 2: Artworks created by students at Vaksalaskolan, Uppsala
Figure 3: Artworks created by students at Alla nationers fria skola, Stockholm
After implementation of the Educational Package, we wanted feedback from both teachers and students. In total 94 students of 5 different forms took part in the activities of the Educational package. Two Swedish schools completed the package, Alla nationers fria skola in Stockholm and Vaksalaskolan in Uppsala.
67 students of ages 7-11 of Alla nationers fria skola in Stockholm completed the package. All students understood both videos, and especially appreciated biology charades. Teachers of biology said the exercise 'Create your own Super Bacteria' was fascinating as they watched the students "discover that they could be scientists some day and modify the DNA of bacteria to find new variants". Teachers also thought the package was very well suited to the age group and gave a good overview of synthetic biology. They would recommend the package to other teachers and felt they got clear instructions to implement it.
27 students of ages 8-9 of Vaksalaskolan in Uppsala completed the package. All students understood the video 'What is synthetic biology?' while 85% of students understood the video 'How do we modify bacteria'. Both students and teacher appreciated the package. The teacher thought the package was very well suited to the age group and gave a very good overview of synthetic biology. She would recommend the package to other teachers and felt she got clear instructions to implement the package.
Our Educational package is not only available through and for schools. We made it available online so it can continue being a starting point for introducing synthetic biology and other disciplines of biotechnology at earlier ages in Swedish schools and homes. Access our educational package below!
Figure 4: Screenshot from the video 'How do we modify bacteria' available on our Youtube