Abstract:

DNA study and its applications have revolutionized our society. There is a growing number of technologies based on genome sequencing for the diagnosis and monitoring of diseases, some as well-known as PCR in COVID-19 virus detection. The increased use of DNA-based tools makes it essential to disseminate useful and accurate information that brings society closer to this knowledge.

On the occasion of International DNA Day, our team organized an activity based on the use of virtual classrooms and virtual disseminations in multiple educational centers, where students were able to listen to presentations by expert researchers in the field, and having an interactive activity with researchers. The intervention of the speakers was accompanied by a didactic video that has been published in different social networks to facilitate its dissemination. This allowed students to learn about the importance of DNA in living beings, the techniques for its study and its main applications today.

A total of 254 students participated in this activity, ranging from 3rd year of Secondary School to High School and Vocational Education and Training. The survey conducted at the end of the activity revealed that 94.88% of the participants considered that the activity reinforced the knowledge seen in class and 80.71% said that it had awakened a greater interest in Molecular Biology. In fact, 89.37% of the students rated the activity with 4 or 5 points, 5 being the maximum.
Students of our society deserve to be aware of the latest scientific advances that are being developed, but it is the responsibility of researchers to ensure that this information reaches them in a truthful and understandable way. Activities such as the one presented here allow students and researchers, thanks to the use of virtual tools, to share quality scientific information, improving previous knowledge about Molecular Biology.

Keywords:

DNA, virtual tools, molecular biology, interactive learning.