LTTA1
Biotech Approach: Learning Science and Engineering
18-23 JUNE 2020
The first HYBRID LAB – Learning Teaching Training Activity (LTTA1) was inspired by the idea of an online hackathon, a format where teams collaborate and work together. Each team explored a scientific theme and tried to build around it a STEAM educational toolkit combining Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math.
The scientific themes were:
What is cell biology?
What is gene editing?
What is Human Genetics and diversity?
What is ethology?
GENERAL QUESTION
The general question of the hackathon was how to assemble multidisciplinary teaching and learning modules for multidisciplinary audiences using a STEAM approach. Specifically how to innovate the learning and teaching of biotechnology for higher education institutes, citizens / the general public.
OBJECTIVES:
a) To create a better educational understanding of the presented scientific themes: Cell Biology, Biotechnology (particularly, molecular biology, gene editing – Crispr-Cas9, microbiology), Human Genetics/ Diversity and Ethology;
b) To reflect on Art & Science & Technology; across biology and technology and on the Merging of technology and the natural environment.
c) To use digital tools as a way of teaching/learning;
d) To reflect on the pros and cons of crossing the boundaries of science and art fields;
e) Understand the basis of STEAM education and work collaboratively to build STEAM inspired educational toolkit;
Due to COVID-19 regulations, the event happened online. The hackathon was an online training activity and an opportunity to share and collaborate, exploring innovative forms of learning and teaching biotechnology.
The hackathon brought together staff from the Hybrid Lab Network partner institutions involved in education, communication, scientific research and art practice and research.
The project “Human diversity along the Magalhães circum-navigation space: genetics, history and culture” collaborated in this hackathon.
The theme/group on human genetics and diversity had Luísa Pereira as a scientific expert and was promoted by the project’s team.
program
Western European Summer Time
Time zone in Lisbon, London (GMT+1)
18 JUNE 2020
I. MORNING
09.30 am The Project Hybrid Lab Network
Júlio Borlido Santos
09.45 am Bureaucratic moment | online tools clarification
10.15 am Group assemble
10.30 am Icebreaker moment
10.45 am Group members presentation
11.30 am Group assignment: a free debate about the general theme and first assignments
Theme – From the Biotech approach to a cross-disciplinary dialogue to foster collaboration and creative thinking to support new educational models. Educational jump above the Two Cultures.
First assignment – group:
Groups discuss and define their own strategies and meeting schedules for autonomous work and prepare for first pitch. To fulfill the first assignment groups will be provided with guided tools such as: oriented debate, the hexagram model, visual thinking.
12.00 am Lunchtime
01.00 pm Continuation of group assignment
II. EVENING
6.00 pm – 7.00 pm Parallel debates: scientific mentors vs art/ humanities mentors (PUBLIC)
(2 talks simultaneous, 2 themes + 2 themes)
PARALLEL 1 – Cells and Genes
WHAT IS Cell Biology, Cell Division | Claudio Sunkel
WHAT IS Biotechnology, Gene editing | José Bessa
QUESTIONS FROM Arts and Humanities | Laura Beloff | Lucas Evers
PARALLEL 2- Diversity and Behaviour
WHAT IS Human genetics and diversity | Luísa Mesquita Pereira
WHAT IS Ethology | Anna Olsson
QUESTIONS FROM Arts and Humanities | Matej Mertik | Polona Tratnik
Between 18 and 21 of JUNE
Groups should find 5 hours to make some autonomous group assignments
22 JUNE 2020
I. MORNING
9.00 am Group Assignment Pitch
and debate (each team should present their conclusions on assignments done on the group work between 5-minute presentation + 10-minute debate per team);
Topics: Team / Theme
Proposal for the Educational jump above the Two Cultures
10.00 am break
10.15 am Group assignment: Divergent thinking
10.45 am Group assignment: What should an educational toolkit include?
12.00 am Lunchtime
II. AFTERNOON
1.00 pm Group assignment: Exploring the translation of a scientific field into an art field
4.30 pm Day briefing: group pitch and discussion (all together) (5-minute presentation each group; 10 mins discussion
Topic: Evolution of the proposal for the Educational jump above the Two Cultures
III. EVENING
6 pm KEYNOTE SPEECH (PUBLIC):
Reflection about Art & Science & Technology
Laura Beloff
6.45 pm KEYNOTE SPEECH (PUBLIC):
Reflection on STEAM education
Maria Manuela Lopes
23 JUNE 2020
I. MORNING
9.00 am Group assignment: Make your own toolkit I
10.45 am break
11. 00 am Scientific and Pedagogical Briefing
12.00 am Lunchtime
II. AFTERNOON
1.00 pm Group assignment: Make your own toolkit II
2.30 pm Final presentations and debate (30 mins each team)
4.30 pm Evaluation
Participants – fill participant feedback,
Juri meeting + analysis of participants votes + assessing
5.30 pm Farewell Session