Education | Oxford

For the Youngest Minds

Science often seems complex and distant — but curiosity begins early. CRISPR for Babies was created to spark wonder in children before they begin to think of science as “too hard” or “not for them.”

A Story of Discovery

By presenting biotechnology through storytelling, we aim to make discovery feel natural, joyful, and inclusive. The story gently introduces the concept of CRISPR as a “tiny pair of molecular scissors” that can help scientists fix genes, much like mending a storybook or healing a broken toy.

Our goal is to nurture early curiosity and plant the seeds of scientific literacy. Through projects like this, we hope to build a generation that approaches science with confidence, imagination, and empathy — seeing biotechnology not as something distant, but as a creative force that shapes our shared future.

CRISPR for Babies represents the first stage of our educational pipeline, which extends from early childhood to university-level initiatives. Together, these efforts aim to make synthetic biology accessible to learners of all ages and backgrounds.

Educational Games

SynBio Taboo

To make learning about synthetic biology more accessible, we developed a specialized version of the classic game Taboo. Our cards challenge players to describe key scientific terms without using the most common related words, promoting a deeper understanding and creative communication skills.

How to Play

Here is a sample of 20 cards from our full deck. The goal is to get your friends to guess the main word without using any of the "taboo" words listed below it. You can browse the cards, or start a 60-second game to test your skills!

To see and play the complete game in person, come and visit us at the Oxford iGEM stall!

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School Outreach

Workshops at St Clare's, Oxford

We were delighted to visit St Clare's, Oxford on two separate occasions to run interactive workshops on synthetic biology, giving students hands-on experience with lab techniques and a glimpse into university-level research.

Inspiring Future Scientists

Our sessions covered the fundamentals of genetic engineering and its real-world applications. Students had the opportunity to engage in discussions about the ethics and potential of biotechnology, and we guided them through practical activities to bring these concepts to life.

The school was kind enough to share their experience on LinkedIn. You can read their post to learn more about what the students took away from our visits.

View LinkedIn Post

Humanities & Science

A Tale as Old as Time: Infection in Literature

Exploring how infectious disease has shaped human imagination and cultural understanding.

Connecting the Humanities and Microbiology

Our “Infection in Literature” project explores how infectious disease has shaped human imagination and continues to influence cultural understanding of health, fear, and morality. By tracing depictions of infection from ancient texts such as Exodus and Oedipus Rex to modern works like Love in the Time of Cholera, we examined how literature reflects society’s evolving relationship with disease – from divine punishment and moral decay to scientific and existential anxiety.

This interdisciplinary educational effort connects the humanities with microbiology, using storytelling to make AMR accessible to broader audiences. Through this analysis, we aimed to show that infection has always mirrored societal values and fears, and that the rise of AMR today risks transforming fiction’s dystopian plagues into reality.

Summer School

Balliol College Frontier Program

We had the privilege of hosting a session for the Frontier Program at Balliol College, introducing talented students to the exciting world of synthetic biology and the iGEM competition.

A Deep Dive into Synthetic Biology

We collaborated with the Frontier Access Programme (Balliol College, University of Oxford) to deliver a three-hour workshop for Year 12 (S5) students from state schools across the UK. The aim was to increase awareness of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and inspire them to pursue further education in the life sciences by showing how synthetic biology can provide solutions.

First, we delivered a presentation on AMR, the iGEM competition, and our project, focusing on accessibility and real-world context. Following the presentation, we split students into smaller groups for hands-on activities.

We conducted a demonstration of a common wet lab procedure we used, a fluorescence assay to visualise and quantify conjugation efficiency. We also organised and led a thinktank tutorial, following the structure of an Oxford tutorial, where students brainstormed, proposed, and critically evaluated different ideas for tackling AMR. Finally, we hosted a Q&A to discuss all topics covered during the day.

1st International BioXchange Conference

BioXchange 2025: Conference Overview

"Over two days, 70 participants from 12 countries gathered across four specialised committees to address AMR from diverse perspectives... This Unified Declaration Letter represents the outcome of the BioXchange Conference 2025: a shared vision grounded in scientific innovation and global solidarity."

Conference Mission

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a critical threat to global health, food security, and international stability. Tackling this challenge requires a deeply interdisciplinary approach, involving public health, environmental management, and biotechnology innovation.

As part of our iGEM Human Practices work, our team organised this virtual conference to bring together high school students, allowing them to simulate the real-world dynamics of AMR policy and innovation, culminating in a unified declaration letter.

Attendees at the BioXchange virtual conference.

Impact & Feedback

Delegate Outcomes and Testimonials

The success of BioXchange is measured by the growth and positive experience of our high school delegates.

4.22/5

Average Experience Rating

100%

Felt they Grew or Learnt Something New

92.6%

Would Recommend to a Friend

“The conference allowed me to expand my knowledge on the topic of AMR, and think critically to solve this global issue.”

“The most rewarding aspect of this experience was the opportunity to actively engage in a global challenge by contributing concrete solutions and thoughtfully debating them in a collaborative setting.”

“The conference allowed me to see how scientific knowledge can inform important discussions and decisions beyond the classroom, making the experience more meaningful and engaging.”

Conference Materials

Key Documents & Outcomes

Explore the official BioXchange documents. Please note, the embedded view may not work on all browsers.

Unified Declaration Letter

Conference Handbook

Committee Info Pack

Guide for iGEM Teams

Simulating Global Action

Our Conference Committees

Delegates were assigned to one of four specialised committees, each tasked with addressing AMR from a unique institutional perspective.

World Health Organisation (WHO)

Public Health Committee

FOCUS: Developing global public health measures to prevent the spread of AMR, with an emphasis on reducing antibiotic misuse and regulating emerging CRISPR-based interventions.

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Environmental Protection Committee

FOCUS: Addressing environmental drivers of AMR, particularly through the regulation of pharmaceutical pollution, agricultural runoff, and the development of ecological interventions.

Biotech & Pharmaceutical Industry Roundtable

Industrial Innovation Committee

FOCUS: Advancing industrial strategies to accelerate the development and commercialisation of novel antimicrobials and therapies while overcoming market and regulatory challenges.

UNESCO

Public Awareness & Education Committee

FOCUS: Empowering global communities through education, responsible science communication, equitable knowledge access, and culturally sensitive engagement strategies.

Gallery

Moments from BioXchange

A glimpse into the sessions and collaborations that defined our virtual conference.

Recognition

Awards & Certificates

Celebrating the outstanding contributions and participation of the delegates who made BioXchange a success.

Celebrating Achievement

We were thrilled to recognize the hard work of our participants. Awards for "Best Delegate" and "Highly Commended Delegate" were chosen by the committee Chairs to recognize participants who demonstrated strong preparation, confident speaking, and a deep understanding of the topics.

Additionally, every delegate who attended both days of the conference was awarded a certificate of participation.

Practical Resource

SynBio Lab Protocols: A Practical Guide

Your comprehensive entry point into the synthetic biology wet lab.

Welcome to the World of Synthetic Biology

This booklet is designed as your entry point into the laboratory, a place where ideas written on paper and thought of are tested, built, and analysed in controlled conditions. Whether you are a newcomer stepping into a wet lab for the first time or a student refreshing your skills before diving into research, this collection of methods should be able to guide you through the essential techniques every synthetic biologist must master.

Synthetic biology builds on the principles of molecular biology, engineering, and design. In the lab, you will assemble genetic parts, test biological functions, and iterate through cycles of design–build–test–learn. The purpose of this booklet is to help you build the technical confidence to do that safely, reproducibly, and creatively.

Each section begins with a brief conceptual overview of the method — why we use it, what it achieves, and how it connects to the wider workflow — followed by a practical, step-by-step protocol that you can directly apply at the bench. From basic pipetting and sterile technique to more advanced molecular cloning, transformation, and imaging, these exercises are structured to help you develop precision, critical thinking, and independence in experimental work.

Remember: the best experimentalists are not just those who follow instructions, but those who understand why each step is performed. Use this booklet not just as a set of recipes, but as a framework for thinking about how biological systems are built and studied.

Above all, treat every experiment as an opportunity to learn. The lab is a place of discovery — mistakes are data, precision is a habit, and curiosity is your greatest tool.

Good luck, and welcome to the start of your journey as a synthetic biologist.