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Team:Alberta/Project/Outreach
From 2009.igem.org
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Project BioBytes: Human Practices Component - High School OutreachOur Human Practices component consists of presentations and pamphlets for high school and junior high school students about synthetic biology, iGEM, and our project. We’re doing this outreach primarily for the high school students’ own interest and benefit. Synthetic biology is rapidly changing the biotechnology industry, and an understanding of synthetic biology would enrich a student’s consideration of career choices. Becoming excited about a potential career option can also provide motivation for academic success. Our outreach is also a service to the research community, as the more students who know about synthetic biology, the more who may pursue it as a career. A greater pool of human resources can increase the quantity and quality of research We believe that sharing one’s research with the community is an important responsibility, both to keep research accountable to the public and to open doors for the next generation to get involved. Even for those students who don’t pursue science, an exposure to what synthetic biology is allows them to make more informed, responsible choices as consumers and voters. Thus, through high school outreach, we’re setting a good example of good example of corporate social responsibility. Finally, we strive to learn how to better communicate synthetic biology to students. In order to evaluate the impact of our outreach, we collect feedback forms after presentations and have an online survey.
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Ethics DebateWhy a debate?The purpose of this debate is to acknowledge, analyse and discussion the many viewpoints surrounding synthetic biology. We hope viewing this debate will help you clarify your own opinion of synthetic biology, so that you may better contribute to determining the future directions of this emerging field. Meet the DebatersThe debaters featured are members of the University of Alberta Debate Society, all with multiple years of experience in debate. Several of these debaters will be competing at the World Debate Championships in Turkey this winter, and all have competed at a national level. The debaters we feature are from a variety of backgrounds, to represent more different levels of understanding and viewpoints.
First Propostion - graduate student in Computer Science First Opposition - in military reserves Second Proposition - undergraduate student, double major in Mathematics and Linguistics Second Opposition - undergraduate student in Political Science Third Proposition - undergraduate student in Microbiology Third Opposition - student in English, BA in Classics Fourth Proposition - undergraduate student in Philosophys Fourth Opposition - undergraduate student in Philosophy and Political Science Style of DebateThis debate is in British Parliamentary style, the style used at the Debate World Championships. The debate is set in parliament, and debaters take the role of government parties discussing policies. There are four teams of two people, with two proposition teams arguing for the motion, and two opposition teams arguing against the motion, a total of four debaters on each side. The first and second speaker on a side are on the same team, and the third and fourth speaker on a side are on the same team. Only the two debaters within a team plan their arguments together, and the two teams arguing on the same side still compete with each other to argue better. Indeed, the second team is expected to present an 'extension' consisting of new constructive arguments not yet heard in the round. The debaters address the speaker of the house and entertain questions, called Point of Information, from debaters arguing the opposite side of the issue. Debaters can stand up to ask a question at any time except the first and last minute of a speech, and the speaker may either wave them down or take their question. All speeches are seven minutes. The last speaker on each side summarizes the debate. View the Debate: This House Supports the Development of Artificially Engineered LifeSummary of the DebateFirst Proposition SpeakerFirst Opposition SpeakerSecond Proposition SpeakerSecond Opposition SpeakerThird Proposition SpeakerThird Opposition SpeakerFourth Proposition Speaker: A summation of the Proposition caseFourth Opposition Speaker: A summation of the Opposition caseBringing Debate to the CommunityListen to the debate performed at a High School |
