Was my project successful or not successful?
There were a few parts that were successful, but some parts that I would have wanted to improve. I think I was successful at responding to the criteria of this project, such as being able to find a global issue that connected the project to the wider world and raising awareness of a possible solution to this issue. I think I was able to clearly state the issues relating to regular meat production, and how lab-grown meat is a possible option that solves these issues. One thing I think I wasn’t that successful in was touching on the science of the topic – I could have looked at other aspects such as nutrition, the production of greenhouse gases in the agricultural sector, the structure of meat…etc. However, as the time was limited and I didn’t want to go too off-topic, I think my project turned out to be suitable to the wider community and I was able to express my points on the issue and this advancement.

What have I learned through this whole process?
Something I learned while researching was the enormous effect producing meat has on the environment, and how it’s really important to teach people about effects of things that we usually come into contact with, as I feel agricultural production is overshadowed by other sources of greenhouse gases such as transport and hasn’t been conveyed to enough people. Some personal skills I learned during this project was gathering reliable data and knowing how to create proper citations, as well as learning how to present information in a way that the audience can easily understand.

What impact might the results of my project have on other people/the wider world?
It would introduce people to the new concept of Lab-grown Meat, and people may become more aware of the impact meat production has on the environment. I wanted to clear the stigma surrounding foods that aren’t traditionally produced and teach people that although there are costs, there are also many benefits and people should be more open to accepting technological advancements that will help improve the future.

What I would have done to improve my work?
I think an improvement would be maybe trying to look at any data or statistics on the opinions people had on lab-grown meat, and whether a majority of people would be willing to try it if it began to be sold in a commercial level, as well as their reasons for their willingness or unwillingness. Also, I could have possibly looked further into how agricultural production produces greenhouse gases, and why it does.

What I’d do to develop the project in the future?
If I were to continue the project and develop it even further, I would possibly contact start-up companies that are working on developing lab-grown meat – ask them what the future looks like regarding lab-grown meat, and if there are any recent advancements.

Link to CREST presentation