Project Summary
A basic understanding of how genes are regulated and transcribed to make products is needed to appreciate the potential for synthetic biology. DNA Dave, is an approachable, engaging robot that we built to explain key principles of transcription and translation, and catalyze new conversations linking these principles to applications in synthetic biology. At several education-themed events, teachers expressed an interest in having DNA Dave as a teaching tool in schools as it helped to cement key processes involved in transcription and translation in the minds of students who interacted with DNA Dave. Therefore, we are looking to create a school workshop, where students will design and build their own DNA Dave robot. The project will involve a cross-disciplinary training workshop for schools, a DNA Dave blueprint, a “how to guide” for schools and will support them with advice and materials throughout their build during the pilot of this project.