In our initiative to foster awareness and engagement in synthetic biology and research, our team undertook several key outreach activities, designed to inspire the next generation of scientists and build meaningful collaborations. We reached out to various stakeholders, ranging from school students and farmers to academic experts and fellow researchers, each contributing uniquely to our ongoing iGEM project. Below, we outline the efforts we made to communicate our work, integrate feedback from diverse communities, and collaborate with other iGEM teams.

One of our standout activities was the "Chai, Charcha and Career" workshop, conducted at IIT Roorkee (IITR). Through this initiative, we introduced students from various departments across the institution to the exciting possibilities of research in synthetic biology, biotechnology, and related fields.

Beyond the walls of our institution, we conducted school visits to engage with younger audiences. We visited two schools and discussed topics such as genetics, synthetic biology, and machine learning with students, offering them a glimpse into the evolving scientific landscape. We also introduced them to our past iGEM projects and our current work, encouraging curiosity and enthusiasm for science at an early age.

Our team also participated in the All India iGEM Meet (AIIM), a prestigious conference that gathers teams from across India to present their iGEM ideas for the current edition. This year’s event took place in a hybrid format at IISc Bengaluru, allowing for both in-person and online participation.

Understanding the real-world challenges faced by communities is a crucial aspect of shaping impactful scientific projects. With this in mind, our team visited farms and interacted with farmers who face significant agricultural challenges, particularly with red rot disease, which affects sugarcane crops. We listened to their experiences, gathered insights on the precautions they take, and learned about their current management practices for this disease. These discussions were invaluable as they helped us better understand the context of our project, ensuring that our scientific efforts were aligned with the needs of those who would benefit from our solutions.

In addition, we held meetings with several professors at IITR, discussing topics related to our ongoing iGEM project. Their expert feedback allowed us to refine our ideas and approaches, ensuring that our research is both scientifically sound and practically applicable. The insights we gained from these discussions continue to guide our project development.