As part of its ongoing co-operation with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Qatar Precision Health Institute, a national centre for research and implementation under Qatar Foundation, organised recently a workshop on genomics for primary school science teachers.
The workshop addressed the concepts of genomics and featured training for teachers on how to leverage interactive genomics stations to familiarise primary school students with the science through the ‘Genome Heroes’ game.
The workshop focused on introducing the principles of genomics and simplifying information to familiarise primary school students with relevant modern scientific concepts and developments.
Dima Darwish, head of Scientific Education at Qatar Precision Health Institute, spoke about the importance of genomics, its impact on treating diseases, and its role in developing health care through precision medicine or personalised practices.
“While we, as experts, with the contribution of all community members, draw a map of the Qatari genome, which is of utmost importance at the local and regional levels, we find it difficult to deliver basic information about genomics to our children. The Genome Heroes game helps lay the foundations for spreading knowledge about genomics to the next generation,” she noted.
Teachers were briefed on the latest specialisations in the field of precision medicine, including genetic counselling, pharmacogenomics and bioinformatics, and other topics. Participants were also familiarised with the ‘Genome Heroes’ game, which seeks to convey basic information about genomics and its importance to the future of healthcare through games and stories that introduce players to the concept of cells, DNA, genetics, and mutagenic repair. The application is the first educational game worldwide to simplify genomic concepts in Arabic and English.
The workshop proved to be a success, as teachers engaged in interactive discussions about genomics, how to simplify teaching complex concepts, the challenges that students may face, and potential solutions to overcome them.
Darwish added: “We want children to realise that there is a wonderful and interesting science called genomics, and to base their future dreams on this science, which will propel Qatar as one of the world’s leading countries in the field of precision medicine.”
A session from the workshop
