Mexican meetup

The "Mexican Teams Meetup" had several activities. Amongst them were a collaboration in Human Practices, which laid the foundations for the Laboratory Handbook, a guide that aims to introduce children from elementary school to science; and a presentation of the progress that we had until that point regarding our project, which aside from giving us an idea of how it will be to present in english, it also made us see our areas of opportunity, which consequently allowed us to improve and be able to be more competitive in the Giant Jamboree. Although these were the technical aspects of the meeting, it was thanks to this meetup that we were able to establish relationships with the members of the various teams that participated; this has not only helped us with things related to the project but has also made the iGEM community of Mexico closer and stronger than ever.

Mission: The student group of TecChMun from Prepatec Campus Chihuahua, together with the support and collaboration of professors, iGEM´s Tec-Chihuahua and executives, focuses on the simulation of a United Nations model for students to roleplay delegates of different countries at UN committees while addressing current problems. The group seeks to promote problems solving techniques among participants through the simulations within the model that subsequently generate sensitivity and empathy for the daily problems they face in their life. At the same time, we intend to create global awareness in them.

Objective: To conclude in a realistic and efficient resolution of one of the presented conflicts in order to create awareness among participants making them agents of change.

Who is it for?: The people we seek to impact are mainly students in the third and fifth semesters of high school. However, as part of the 10th anniversary, we are looking to expand our impact. This year the event will be extended to junior high and professional students.

Estimated Outreach: The estimated outreach, considering that it was a national invitation within all the high school campus of our Institution, is expected to be for 400 students of the Tecnológico de Monterrey.

Why is it important to iGEM?: Tec-Chihuahua strongly believes that TecChMun is a key way to spread knowledge about biotechnology and synthetic biology among young students and professors. Furthermore, we are sure that by discussing as delegates from different countries, students are going to be able to acquire a general and more abroad perspective of the different necessities, demands, and problems that scientific society and the general un public suffer around the world.

Experiment Handbook:

According to UNESCO’s Integrated Science Education report, most educational programs in Latin America include the teaching of the specialized sciences (mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, etc.) in their upper and middle levels. However, most programs are not able to establish relations between these sciences, because each of them is perceived as an independent field isolated from the others. Nevertheless, this perception is wrong, for all sciences are integrated and interrelated. Hence the main observed issue is the educational trend of “packaging" the teaching of sciences.

With the reason to solve this problem from the root; elementary school. The following Experiment Handbook (aimed at students) has been designed. We wish to foster a pleasure for science at the basic levels. The manual includes 30 experiments divided into 3 blocks: 6-8 years (easy), 9-11 years (intermediate) and 12-13 years (expert). Each category is slightly more difficult than the previous one. Additionally, each experiment has been designed according to the required knowledge determined by SEP for each year of primary education.

The guide will consist of 30 experiments designed to motivate and involve students in a scientific environment while having fun.

General Objective

Improve the access to science for all kids but especially Mexican children. Having this in mind the app will be introduced to the SEP in order to be implemented within several schools including the private and public sector.

Specific Objectives

Choose an adequate 30 experiments divided into 3 blocks: 6-8 years (easy), 9-11 years (intermediate) and 12-13 years (expert). Develop the primary guide with introduction, materials, guidance, video guidance, conclusions, and learnings. Design and sketch experiments video tutorials for more explanations, guidance, and interactivity. Put together all the information recollected and generated in an app.