ThinkSTEAM is a non-profit organization with a mission to inspire and motivate girls by merging STEM and arts, thus
enhancing critical, problem solving and communication skills. More info about ThinkSteam can be found on their
website . We gave a presentation on the principles of synthetic biology, as well as our project and cloning
techniques that were integral for our project. We also taught them about the concepts of transformation and selection,
making plates, making and running a gel. Furthermore, we gave the girls a tour around the lab, emphasizing safety,
and showing them how the Nanodrop machine, cold room, autoclave, and ultracentrifuge work.
HYPOTHEKids
HYPOTHEkids is an educational organization that offers summer program hosted in New York City to promote STEAM education
among elementary school, middle school, and high school students. We worked with a branch in Harlem, consisting
of elementary school and middle school students ages 4 through 11.
Synthetic Biology Initiative
Our team also partook in a collaboration to create and distribute synthetic biology postcards to educate
the public during lectures. The synthetic biology lecture series is hosted by the Columbia University Synthetic Biology Initiative,
which is a club that we created this year to foster science and advance the interest and public understanding of synthetic
biology on our campus and the surrounding NYC community. Within the club, over fifty members are already working on creating
synthetic biology podcasts, video series, and educational curriculum.
