Outreach

The Outreach Sub-Team of iGEM Toronto 2024, newly formed this year, is dedicated to amplifying our project’s visibility and raising awareness about synthetic biology through dynamic platforms and targeted events. We take the lead in crafting our public narrative, engaging diverse audiences, and building connections beyond the lab. The outreach team is composed of multidisciplinary functional units focused on promotional material design, event organization, and video production, working collaboratively to maximize the reach and impact of our initiatives.

We actively manage and grow iGEM Toronto’s digital presence by producing engaging content that showcases our team’s journey, project progress, and the fascinating world of synthetic biology. Our creative approach helps build a broader, more connected community around iGEM Toronto’s initiatives.

Through organizing workshops, collaborative events, and educational campaigns, we actively promote iGEM Toronto’s project and the broader field of synthetic biology. Our initiatives are designed to engage students, researchers, and the general public, creating spaces for dialogue and collaboration.

Our team significantly amplified iGEM Toronto's online presence, driving an impressive 23.3% increase in Instagram followers, alongside a 46.3% rise in engagement and a remarkable 92.1% boost in reach (Figure 1). We achieved this through consistent content creation, which included 20 new posts averaging 100 likes each. We also produced 5 reels and curated 10 highlights that effectively captured audience interest.

We introduced innovative, interactive content such as the "Sunday Sketches", a doodle series that portrays synthetic biology in a creative and engaging format. This initiative reflects our team's attitude and commitment to making science accessible and engaging. Additionally, we implemented Instagram "Leads Takeovers" series, where team leaders shared insights from their work, fostering deeper connections with our audience.

Expanding our reach further, we ventured into TikTok to engage a broader, younger demographic. The account is already gaining traction, diversifying our outreach channels and allowing us to connect with a new segment of the audience interested in synthetic biology.

Our team co-hosted seven major events in 2024-2025, collaborating with the University of Toronto’s Student Associations, human practices-focused groups, and external organizations to engage students, researchers, and the general public. Highlights include:

1. Paint & Sip: A relaxed, creative event where participants engaged with the iGEM Toronto community while exploring artistic representations of synthetic biology concepts.
2. Debate Competition: An interdisciplinary debate that sparked thought-provoking discussions around the ethical and practical applications of synthetic biology.
3. Synpec Workshop: A hands-on workshop on molecular cloning, providing practical training and fostering connections between students and experts in the field.
4. Seminar & Guest Speaker Events: Sminars featuring esteemed speakers like Dr. Hongwei Li, covering cutting-edge developments in the synthetic biology field.
5. Academic Clinic: Academic support and career advice, bridging the gap between the scientific community and broader societal interests.

We will co-lead an educational workshop with the Human Practices Sub-Team in partnership with the Canadian Association for Girls In Science (CAGIS). This event will aim to inspire young girls by introducing them to synthetic biology through interactive activities and presentations, fostering early interest in the sciences.

We will organize a biotech and life science-based case competition in collaboration with various life science student associations at the University of Toronto. This event will provide students with the opportunity to tackle real-world challenges, enhancing critical thinking and innovative problem-solving skills within the field of synthetic biology.