Monster Sheet_iGEM
Sequences
Synthetic Biology Activity
Overview
A fun module for students to introduce them to synthetic biology. Includes a presentation and an activity in which students pair up to complete. Recommended to do this activity in-class offline. It takes about 1-1.5 hours to complete.
Introduction
Hello!
We are Aestuarium, the MSP-Maastricht iGEM Team 2022. iGEM is an international synthetic biology competition in which teams worldwide develop a project in the field of synthetic biology project. This project will then be presented at the annual iGEM conference, the Grand Jamboree. However, working in the lab is only a part of the iGEM experience. Teams are also involved with side projects such as scientific education, programming, or entrepreneurship.
Our Scientific Education team deeply values the importance of early scientific education. Therefore, we were always looking for ways of making synthetic biology available to the general public, especially young students.
With this in mind, we created this open resource which contains didactic materials that can be used by teachers to give an introduction to genetics and synthetic biology.
We came up with a fun activity that engages students and hopefully interests them in the field of synthetic biology. Enjoy!
Instructions
- Print out the following files (for Sequences only print as many sequences as there are students)
- Cut out the sequences
- Watch presentation
- When you get to slides 11-13 do Part I of the Genetic Little Monsters
- When you get to slide 15 do Part II of the Genetic Little Monsters
Presentation
Activity
Genetic Little Monsters
Aim
To teach students the fundamentals of genetics and the basic vocabulary of this field.
Materials
- Gene sequences
- Rubric
- Colored pencils
- Scissors
- Glue
Rules
Part I – Understanding the role of DNA and genes
- Every student receives a genetic sequence. In each sequence, the traits needed to create the monster are present.
- Every student receives a rubric, which they will use to translate the sequence into the corresponding trait.
- Once the students have translated their sequence, they can start building their own monster.
Part II - Understanding Synthetic Biology and its implementations
- Each student pairs up with another student.
- The two students decide which part(s) to swap. For example, they can decide to exchange their monster’s eye color, or horn size.
- The two students will then retrieve the specific gene from the sequence they were given in part I.
- The two students will cut the specific gene out, swap it and glue it on their sequence.
- The two students are now able to create a whole new monster.
Appendix – List of Traits
- fur (blue, red, yellow, green)
- horns (big, small)
- eyes (red, purple, yellow)
- tail (short, long)
- fangs (big, small)