Our approach
Event 1: Anatolia Christmas Bazaar 🎄
Our participation in the annual Anatolia Christmas Bazaar gave us the opportunity to share our project with the broader school community in a festive and interactive way. We set up a booth where visitors could learn about iGEM, synthetic biology, and our team’s mission through games and demonstrations.
Event 2: ACSTAC Outreach Event 🧪
At ACSTAC, our goal was to introduce students to iGEM, synthetic biology, and the real-world applications of our project. This event aimed to establish our team’s presence and bring clarity to our “brand.”
Booth Ideas
- Interactive booth with posters, presentations, and games showcasing iGEM and our project.
- Explanation of what iGEM is, including past videos, posters, and success stories.
- Introduction to synthetic biology and its real-world applications.
- Meet our iGEM team: a behind-the-scenes look at our departments and team history.
- If the wet lab is developed enough, a theoretical explanation of our experiment can be presented.
Workshop Ideas
- Intro to synthetic biology & iGEM: A fun, discussion-based session with a simple experiment or video demonstration.
- Biology meets engineering: A walkthrough of our design-build-test cycle with a brainstorming activity.
Draft Proposal Structure
- Objective: Introduce students to iGEM & synthetic biology, raise awareness, and establish our presence.
- Activities: Booth + optional workshop covering fundamentals and engagement.
- Logistics: Booth area + workshop room if approved; posters, interactive displays, digital presentations.
- Estimated Participants: Open to all ACSTAC attendees.
Event 3: Researchers’ Night
On September 26, our team participated in “Researcher’s Night” at Thessaloniki’s Concert Hall, an annual event focused on familiarizing children with science and technology. Through our presentation, we promoted our project MAVericks and explained our team’s solution to student stress. We created activities such as heredity models with gummy bears and building DNA double helices from marshmallows, offering families a hands-on way to experience genetics.
Event 4: Interviews đź“ť
Interviews Interpretation and Analysis
Identifying common trends across answers:
1. How do you think your lifestyle contributes to environmental problems?
Many interviewees mentioned using cars regularly, such as Sylvia (Interview 4) and the Veterinarian (Interview 6). Several people use public transportation to reduce their environmental impact, including Alkis (Interview 3) and Dimitris (Interview 7). Recycling was also highlighted as part of their lifestyle by Sylvia (Interview 4) and Adrian (Interview 5). A few respondents mentioned high energy consumption through devices like computers, such as Dimitris (Interview 7). One individual, Adrian (Interview 5), mentioned growing plants as a way to contribute positively.
2. What motivates you to adopt environmentally friendly habits?
A consistent theme was the desire to protect future generations, seen in responses from Alkis (Interview 3) and Sylvia (Interview 4). Many expressed concerns about environmental pollution, such as ice melting, wildlife dying, and air pollution; Sylvia (Interview 4) and a Thessaloniki resident (Interview 2) emphasized these issues. Some respondents also mentioned technological advancements as motivation to live better within nature, including Dimitris (Interview 7).
3. What issues do you face in your field or community?
Air pollution emerged as a major concern in urban settings, mentioned by the Thessaloniki resident (Interview 2) and the Doctor (Interview 8). Waste management issues, such as rubber waste from airplane brakes, were discussed by the Pilot (Interview 1). Traffic was also mentioned as an environmental issue by the Veterinarian (Interview 6).
Summary of Trends
Recycling and public transportation are common solutions people use to reduce their environmental impact. Air pollution is consistently identified as a problem, especially in urban environments like Thessaloniki. Many respondents are motivated by the thought of leaving a better world for future generations. People express concern over the environment, such as wildlife and climate change.
Pie chart of most common responses:
The most prominent responses throughout the interviews were: Recycling and Public Transport emerged as the most frequent answers (30%).
Air Pollution Concerns were the second most common (25%), followed by other categories such as Waste Management (15%).
