Education

EDUCATION

We adapt our teaching methods to engage a broader audience.

Teaching Philosophy Statement

We believe that everyone can learn synthetic biology and that it is up to us to identify the most effective way in each case to impart this knowledge. Guided by this principle, we have organized numerous activities and participated in diverse events to reach individuals of different ages, nationalities, cultural backgrounds, and educational levels.

Goals and Methods to Achieve Them

Our objective is to unite diverse groups of people into the fields of life sciences and synthetic biology. To this end, our initiatives are focused on three primary outreach strategies:

• Organizing Conferences
• Participating in prominent events
• Introducing interactive ways of learning

We cultivate a learning culture by creating a climate of trust and confidence:

• Participants are assured that there are no foolish questions and that making mistakes is part of the learning process; we encourage them to express their opinions without fear of judgment.
• They gain insights into the applications of synthetic biology that align with their interests; the educational material used is tailored to meet the audience's specific needs and knowledge level.
• Participants feel their opinions are valued, as we actively solicit feedback at the conclusion of each activity to improve our future sessions.

We incorporate technology into our teaching strategies to engage a wider audience:

• Social media form part of the learning process by posting daily quizzes, allowing the public to transform unproductive scrolling into a daily learning challenge.
• Our video game is designed to help individuals of all ages gain a better understanding of our project.
• We organize online sessions to enhance accessibility and participate in podcasts to bring science closer to the public.

We foster combinatorial thinking, collaboration, and interdisciplinarity through the following initiatives:

• Workshops tailored for participants of various age groups
• Synthetic biology riddle competition
• Escape rooms
• Interactive debates

Inclusivity

We organize and take part in events for a wide range of audiences, spanning different age groups. As mentioned before our activities are focused on being open to:

Success metrics

Our events’ participants are encouraged to fill out voluntarily and anonymously our online Evaluation Form through which we receive valuable feedback on our project, our activities, and our impact on the general public. Furthermore, we are often invited to participate in numerous public events by different enterprises, NGOs, and student groups to interact with academic and non-academic public and collect prompt suggestions on our work. Moreover, we continuously stay in contact with individuals who have been motivated to pursue careers in life sciences by our efforts and university students who strongly wish to become part of the iGEM community in the near future. Last but not least, many experienced professors have paid tribute to our educational work through e-PHAESTUS, such as Mr. Eliopoulos Aristeidis, Head of the Biology Department of the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, stated in his opening speech during the Awards Ceremony of the 2nd National Competition of Riddles in Synthetic Biology.

Interactive Teaching and Learning

To achieve this, we host a conference, organize various science-related escape rooms, and develop an online game to help the audience engage with our project in an interactive and visually appealing way.

Our team prioritizes the educational dimension of our project by organizing and participating in events, including a two-day conference, with the aim of engaging diverse communities. We actively promote life sciences and synthetic biology through a range of educational initiatives. Traveling both within Greece and internationally, we attend symposiums, festivals, and education fairs to deliver speeches and conduct workshops for audiences of various ages and backgrounds. Our objective is to make science accessible and engaging, demonstrating that it forms an integral to our daily lives and can be both intriguing and enjoyable.

iGEM Athens effectively designed educational events

We create events and materials for educational purposes grounded in evidence-based learning principles from multi-sensorial information that ensures understanding. Through activities like hands-on experiments, debates and escape rooms, participants have a better understanding of more abstract topics. We evaluate excitement and emotional engagement, believing that learning is more effective when participants are genuinely interested in the subject.

Our workshops and activities are tailored to different ages, ensuring a variety of learning outcomes, depending on the target group. For example, children engage with stimuli such as sensory aspects, whereas older participants appreciate more detailed scientific explanations of the scientific mechanisms underlying our project idea. Events like the Athens Science Festival connect scientific principles to everyday life, thereby increasing participant interest. With our project, e-PHAESTUS, we focus on educating a broad audience about e-waste upcycling. To achieve this, we host a conference, organize various science-related escape rooms, and develop an online game to help the audience engage with our project in an interactive and visually appealing way.

Presentations and Info-Sessions

SynBio and Beyond

For the first time, the Athens team organizes a two-day conference titled "SynBio and Beyond" under the auspices of the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. The event brings together iGEM teams from Greece and abroad, who have the opportunity to present their projects to the audience. Additionally, esteemed researchers and professors deliver engaging presentations on their work, while student groups facilitate workshops and debates that include audience interaction. Furthermore, the Awards Ceremony for the Distinguished Students of the 2nd Panhellenic Synthetic Biology Riddles Competition takes place.

Panorama of Entrepreneurship and Career Development

Our team participates in the "Panorama of Entrepreneurship and Career Development," where we present our project to the broader public, emphasizing the connection between the iGEM competition and entrepreneurship. In this context, we educate representatives of companies selling electronic appliances about the problem associated with the accumulation of e-waste and address their potential concerns regarding their corporate policies.

30th Scientific Conference of Hellenic Medical Students & 18th International Forum of Medical Students and Young Doctors

At the 30th Scientific Conference of Hellenic Medical Students and the 18th International Forum of Medical Students and Young Doctors, the team engage directly with conference participants through an informational booth. This booth serves as a platform to introduce the iGEM competition, outlining its objectives and structure, while also showcasing the potential of synthetic biology in advancing research. By highlighting real-world applications and the interdisciplinary nature of synthetic biology, the team aims to inspire medical students and young doctors to recognize its relevance in their fields. Additionally, the booth fosters networking and encourages discussions about future scientific collaborations.

2nd Panhellenic Student Congress of Bioscientists

At the 2nd Panhellenic Student Conference of Bioscientists in Alexandroupolis, we collaborate with iGEM Ioannina to present a talk to an engaged audience of students and professors, emphasizing the purpose and significance of the iGEM Competition. We enthusiastically introduce the concept of our innovative project, which focuses on the bioleaching of electronic waste, and sparks discussions on sustainable solutions.

Young Minds - Women in Science

The "Women in Science" Symposium is organized by the Young Minds NTUA student group, with our team represented by its female members during a Science Slam session. We receive valuable feedback regarding the recognition of the iGEM organization within the student community, as the audience expresses particular interest in our project, posing a plethora of questions. In addition to our participation in the Science Slam, we maintain a booth in the conference area. Many students and professors approach us to inquire about the iGEM institution and synthetic biology, proposing collaborations for future activities.

Researcher's Night 2024

We participate in the Researcher's Night at the National Technical University of Athens, an event dedicated to bringing science closer to the public. Our team engages with students, teachers, and visitors, introducing them to the interdisciplinary nature of iGEM and sharing the latest updates on our e-PHAESTUS project as we prepare for the Grand Jamboree 2024. Through meaningful conversations, we not only showcase our project but also inspire young people to get involved in future scientific activities. The event also allows us to connect with fellow researchers, expanding our knowledge and collaboration opportunities across various fields of research.

NGO's Fair

We participate in the NGO Fair, an event designed to promote the activities of voluntary organizations to the student community. We engage with students from various scientific departments, sharing our passion for synthetic biology by explaining fundamental concepts. Additionally, we present our ideas for our project and gather valuable feedback through questions during the presentation as well as through a questionnaire completed afterward.

Nikaia's 1st Junior High School

At the 1st Junior High School of Nikaia, we discuss the iGEM competition, our team, and the field of synthetic biology. Our objective is to inspire students to engage in volunteer groups and cultivate a passion for science.

Workshops

Inclusivity Workshop: Communicating Science

In the framework of our SynBio and Beyond Conference, we organize an Inclusivity Workshop to disseminate knowledge gained through our Human Practices about science communication strategies. In this workshop we define the concept of inclusion, present our team's actions in this direction, and present three interesting case scenarios. In particular, we divide the audience into groups and discuss ways of explaining the following themes:

1. Water cycle to children with complete loss of sight aged from 6 to 8
2. Antibiotic resistance in refugee structures
3. Parkinson's disease in a nursing home
4. Value of the Mediterranean diet to prisoners

We discuss how we can be more inventive with our learning techniques to adapt to each audience. Some of the methods mentioned respectively are:

1. Tactile and Audio-Based Learning: tactile models, interactive sound, role-playing, simple language
2. Contextual and Collaborative Learning: storytelling, role-playing, interactive group discussions, visual aids
3. Empathetic and Sensory-Based Learning: simulated experience, hands-on care techniques, audio-visual explanations, group engagement
4. interactive and Practical Learning: cooking demonstrations, taste tests, relatable language, visual and tactile (e.g. food pyramids and charts)

These strategies aim to be engaging, accessible, and adapted to each audience's unique context and needs.

Archilochus Junior High School

At Archilochus Junior High School on Paros Island, we organize an educational activity for 9th-grade students within the framework of broader science communication and STEM education. Following an introduction to synthetic biology and an overview of the iGEM competition using audiovisual materials and educational content tailored to their background, students engage in a two-part workshop. In the first part of the activity, students are divided into groups and participate in quizzes that feature multiple-choice questions and other activities of varying difficulty levels. The second part involves a demonstration and practical application of a simplified protocol for the isolation of genetic material (DNA) from banana plant tissue. Throughout the experimental process, students are actively involved, and we provide a detailed explanation of each step in the isolation protocol, along with practical advice. Our initiative on Paros Island aims to disseminate innovative ideas and promote iGEM in regions outside the urban centers of the country, thereby providing equal opportunities for scientific collaboration and addressing educational disparities and overcoming geographical barriers.

"Pedagogiki - Birds" Primary School

At "Pedagogiki - Birds" Primary School in Piraeus, we engage with 6th-grade students to introduce them to Synthetic Biology and the iGEM community. This initiative aims to impart essential knowledge of biology and the work of the iGEM Athens team, particularly our e-waste bioleaching project, while students participate in a competitive biology quiz in teams. To foster an understanding of the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, students work in groups to conceptualize and illustrate the "ideal scientist," detailing their discipline, expertise, objectives, and the challenges they aim to address. Additionally, students create their own "super-bacterium" and develop a narrative around their illustrations, proposing a solution to a contemporary issue through the lens of synthetic biology.

i(mmuno)GEM: Introduction to immunological techniques

The Scientific Conference of Hellenic Medical Students & 18th International Forum of Medical Students and Young Doctors is held in Crete and serves as the largest annual meeting in health sciences. As part of this event, the iGEM Athens 2024 team organizes an interactive workshop for medical students titled "i(mmuno)GEM: Introduction to immunological techniques", with a focus on immunobiology. The workshop features educational experiments dedicated to the Ouchterlony double immunodiffusion method, which is utilized for the detection and quantification of antigens and antibodies, as well as a blood cell separation and isolation procedure using the Ficoll-Paque reagent technique.

The objective of our workshop is to familiarize students with immunology laboratory techniques widely applied in research, contributing to a comprehensive education and awareness of procedures beyond clinical practice. Students have the chance not only to practice these techniques under the guidance and supervision of our team members but also to discuss and exchange ideas on the application of synthetic biology in medical diagnostics.

Mercury Negotiation Academy

As part of the two-day SynBio and Beyond event, we invite the Mercury Negotiation Academy student group to lead an interactive talk. The Mercury Negotiation Academy (MNA) is an independent, non-profit initiative founded by young individuals, including students and professionals from various scientific and professional backgrounds. Emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinarity, MNA shows that negotiations permeate our lives and are connected to a wide range of disciplines. During this session, we engage together with the audience using theoretical concepts and negotiation games, providing an opportunity to enhance our negotiation skills.

Mentorship and Guidance

University Orientation Day

We host a webinar designed for high school seniors who are considering a career in STEM. As these students navigate the process of selecting their university programs, our University Orientation Day provides them with valuable information about their faculties of interest, enabling them to make informed decisions. Our guest speakers, who come from diverse academic backgrounds, share insights into their career trajectories and engage with the audience by addressing their questions. Participants are organized into virtual rooms based on their stated preferences, allowing them to receive firsthand information from accomplished scientists about the specific departments they are considering.

Unique Minds

At the Unique Minds conference, we interact with teenagers aged 14-18 interested in pursuing a career in STEM. We discuss the principles of synthetic biology and the iGEM competition while encouraging them to engage in similar scientific projects. Additionally, we emphasize the importance of volunteering and its impact on personal development. Beyond our presence as the iGEM Athens team, we support aspiring scientists by sharing information about our studies and the pathways they may wish to follow, acting as mentors.

Synthetic Biology Competition

2nd National Competition of Riddles in Synthetic Biology

Our team is proud to organize the 2nd National Competition of Riddles in Synthetic Biology for high school students. Around 400 students in ~150 teams from 23 high schools all around Greece enthusiastically participate in the 2nd N.C.R.S.B., introducing themselves to the subject of Synthetic Biology, in a way that encourages their critical and creative thinking. In addition, they get familiarized with research topics and scientific competitions, as well as cultivate a cooperative spirit and noble competition, acquiring at the same time knowledge and skills useful for their future career as potential scientists in the STEM fields and as future members of research - and not only - groups.

Awards Ceremony of the 2nd National Competition of Riddles in Synthetic Biology

Shortly after the completion of the competition, on Saturday, September 28th, 2024, the students who are distinguished in the 2nd National Competition of Riddles in Synthetic Biology receive the 1st Prize, 2nd Prize, and 3rd Prize Awards. The awards are granted to the top 10% for first place, the next 10% for second place, and the following 10% for third place. By recognizing a substantial percentage of students, we affirm that the primary objective of our initiative is for students to enjoy competing and learning in a manner distinct from the traditional framework of school examinations, simultaneously cultivating soft skills, such as collaboration, active listening, and group decision-making. In the Awards Ceremony, we are thrilled to welcome in the Auditorium more than 450 people of all ages, consisting of distinguished students, their siblings, parents, grandparents, and friends. We are proud to present to them our project, our Promotion Video included for comprehension purposes, as well as to answer their various questions and interest they showed to us.

Escape Rooms

DaProtein Code: The Survival Code

At the Athens Science Festival, we present an escape room as our interactive exhibition. "DaProtein Code: The Survival Code" is an experience themed around the stages of genetic expression, from DNA to amino acids. Participants of all ages engage in a fun and educational journey to learn about the processes of replication, transcription, and translation as they strive to produce the "antidote" protein and save the iGEM Athens team from a deadly toxin released in our laboratory. We aim to impart knowledge to children aged 8-17 as well as adults through a direct, interactive, and entertaining approach. While waiting for their turn to play with us, teams solve crossword puzzles of varying difficulty levels tailored to the different age groups.

The Enigma of the Secret Formula

Our second escape room, titled "The Enigma of the Secret Formula", is an interactive puzzle game inspired by this year's Routes in Marpissa festival theme: the elements of nature. This game is designed for participants of all ages, fostering both critical thinking and collaboration. Players leverage their knowledge of biology, physics, and chemistry to solve intricate riddles. The participants underscore the creativity behind the concept, while the challenging puzzles encourage out-of-the-box thinking and keep them on the edge of their seats until the final chest is unlocked and the secret map finally revealed.

Debates

Bio-debate

In collaboration with iGEM Ioannina 2024 and biologist and journalist Dr. Michopoulou, we organize an engaging bio-debate at the framework of the 2nd Panhellenic Student Congress of Bioscientists that explores the intersection of artificial intelligence and its implications, addressing whether it poses a threat or serves as an innovation. This session encourages critical discourse and allows attendees to reflect on any changes in their perspectives. In the vibrant atmosphere of the conference, we immerse ourselves in a variety of enlightening lectures covering topics from molecular biology to evolution and ecology, further enriching our knowledge and fueling our passion for scientific inquiry.

Debate Showcase: SynBio Dilemmas

As part of our SynBio Conference, we invite members of the Hellenic Debate Federation to organize two engaging debates. They discuss the principles of debating with the audience and allow them to attend two intriguing debate matches on synthetic biology. The first debate topic is entitled “Synthetic biology will aim for generalist or specialized organisms in industrial applications” and the second one is “We will use Synthetic Biology to engineer new and resurrect extinct species”. To engage the audience in the debate, we invite them to vote in favor or against the above statements before the debate sessions. Interestingly, pre- and post-debate questionnaires show changing opinions. Before the first debate the audience votes in favor, but afterwards the majority shifts sides and votes for the House against. However, the audience is proved wrong, as the jury verdicts that the side supporting the house in favor wins the first round. Before the second round, the jury explains the criteria based on which the winner of the first debate is declared. In the subsequent round, audience members can participate as debaters, passionately arguing their assigned positions, regardless of whether these positions align with their personal beliefs. This time, both the audience and the jury verdict agree that the house against wins the debate, proving that the audience is now trained on the judging criteria and can identify which arguments are more sufficiently supported with logic in relation to Synthetic Biology. The statistics of our pre-debate and post-debate questionnaires are shown down below.

• Pre-Debate 1 Questionnaire:

  
  • In Favor: 81.8%
  • Against: 18.2%

• Post-Debate 1 Questionnaire:

  
  • In Favor: 77.8%
  • Against: 22.2%

• Pre-Debate 2 Questionnaire:

  
  • In Favor: 77.8%
  • Against: 22.2%

• Post-Debate 2 Questionnaire:

  
  • In Favor: 63.6%
  • Against: 36.4%

Online Game

BioMunch

iGEM Athens 2024 presents BioMunch, an innovative and educational game that seamlessly combines entertainment with scientific discovery. Our online game offers individuals of all ages and diverse backgrounds an interactive and engaging introduction to our project, e-PHAESTUS. This pioneering game immerses players in the realm of synthetic biology while educating them about our mission to develop genetically engineered bacteria that produce glutathione, a molecule that effectively binds to metals found in electronic waste. Through their exploration of BioMunch, users will gain valuable insights into our efforts to recycle and upcycle electronic waste in an enjoyable manner. The game can be accessed by clicking here. Test your knowledge, challenge yourself, and be sure to share your high score with us!

Podcasts

Greek Women in STEM Podcast

The girls of iGEM Athens are featured in the September episode of the Greek Women in STEM Podcast. In this episode, they share their experiences in the world of iGEM, discuss the challenges they face, and reflect on the valuable lessons they have learned throughout this unique synthetic biology journey.

Click here to view the podcast

UNIPERFECT Podcast

Members of our team participate in the UNIPERFECT podcast, sharing their insights on studying and professional development abroad. They discuss their experiences, emphasizing practical aspects, challenges, and memorable moments. In conversations with the hosts, they provide valuable advice that establishes a solid foundation for effective preparation and a successful journey. They invite the audience to join them in exploring the dynamic realm of education and career advancement.

Click here to view the podcast

Conclusions: Lessons Learned in Education

Effective Science Communication: Our teaching methods are personalized to address a spectrum of audiences so that an all-encompassing approach is practiced, suitable for students across generations, regions and intellectual levels.

Establishing a Learning Culture: We foster within learners the safety in which they feel comfortable to ask questions, provide feedback and accept mistakes as part of the learning process.

Technology Integration: Social media, online games and virtual sessions make participation easier, more interactive and inclusive for synthetic biology education. Utilizing digital platforms is converting casual conversations into learning opportunities and proves that science-based activities can be fun.

Focusing on Interdisciplinarity: We organize workshops, debates, and competitions to promote collaboration between different fields of study.

Experiential Learning: Escape rooms, workshops, and synthetic biology competitions improve the understanding of challenging concepts.

Educational Outreach: We are on a mission to make the learning process engaging and fun for all. To achieve this, we participate in diverse events, accepting the challenge to engage with different audiences each time.

Evaluation of Impact: We always seek feedback after the completion of our events, aiming to improve ourselves. This strategy proved that our activities impacted people's approach towards life sciences and synthetic biology.

"I never teach my pupils, I only provide the conditions in which they can learn."