Team:RHIT/Outreach

Terre Haute Children's Museum Synthetic Biology Exhibit

Origins of the Project

The Terre Haute Children's Museum, founded in 1988, features many exhibits on topics ranging from archaeology to architecture. However, the Rose-Hulman team noticed that there are no exhibits on small-scale biology, specifically synthetic biology. Devon and Kristen then took on the project of creating an exhibit to introduce children to the concepts and methods of synthetic biology. The team felt that one of the best ways to get kids interested in synthetic biology was to show them lab equipment that they could touch and play with. The exhibit also gives kids a chance to explore designing DNA sequences. In this way, they can experience a process that synthetic biologists go through.

Exhibit Components

The Design Table, pictured below, introduces children to the idea of putting together DNA sequences. The instructions on the table ask them to think of ways they would use synthetic biology if they could make cells "do anything." The team hopes that this will inspire them to use creativity to explore the possibilities of synthetic biology. Colored magnetic shapes are used to represent DNA. Children can select from different colors, each with a different purpose - the four DNA nucleotide bases, A, T, G, and C, as well as Promoters and Terminators - and align them on the board to create their sequence. They also have the option of putting together various sequences found on cards on the table or create the matching sequence to given DNA sequences. This gives more uncertain children the chance to understand the process. Examples of these cards are seen below.

After creating their sequence, the children move on to the Lab Bench, where they explore four different pieces of lab equipment. The four stations are:

Microscope

Centrifuge

Pipetting

Media Plates

Each station provides a description of the equipment as well as a procedure for the children to follow in order to gain experience with and understanding of the technology. Questions guide the children along the way and encourage them to think about the purpose or design of each piece of equipment.