Preface

"For Self-Discovery" Is Our Goal!

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Every project takes "awakening people's awareness of independent exploration" as its core! We have always believed that the Education Department of iGEM is by no means a one-way knowledge transfer in the form of "one-way output" by team members. From the direct participants of the project to the target groups of core services, all should proactively activate their exploratory thinking and fully unleash their subjective initiative in the process — breaking through cognitive limitations in immersive activities and independently unlocking the boundless possibilities of the scientific world; it should not be confined to the limited space of classrooms, but should extend to every scene in daily life and every corner of cities and villages. This allows people to establish a profound connection unique to themselves and synthetic biology through independent exploration and in-depth thinking during real interactions with all things.

Because only when knowledge transfer centers on the participants' self-exploration, is filled with the joy of breaking through the unknown, and takes root in the soil of practical exploration, can such education truly awaken the inherent potential for knowledge within people and enable every participant to become an active pioneer in scientific exploration.

Our project practices revolve around three key directions:

1. The first is the rhinosinusitis-related project, which focuses on popularizing knowledge about the disease and promoting diagnosis and treatment plans. It helps the general public gain a clearer understanding of the disease and learn about response methods, thereby enhancing their awareness of independent health management through the exploration of health knowledge.
2. The second is the synthetic biology popularization project. By providing accessible interpretations and interactive experiences, it unveils the mystery of synthetic biology to the public and guides people to expand their cognitive boundaries through the exploration of cutting-edge scientific knowledge.
3. The third is the project that aligns with iGEM's concept of "Local people solving local problems all over the world," enabling scientific exploration to truly serve the daily life and society around us.

PartⅠ

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Nearly everyone can describe the symptoms of rhinitis and the common cold, as well as share some experience in dealing with them. However, when it comes to rhinosinusitis, the vast majority of people are completely unaware of it—a hidden yet critical blind spot in the current public understanding of health.

SynbioSH Urban Orientation

Science Popularization+Sports+Entertainment, Enjoy to the Fullest at Once

Activity Overview

On July 6, 2025, the SynBioSH Urban Orienteering Activity, hosted by ShanghaiTech University's iGEM team in collaboration with Fudan University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University, was successfully held in Shanghai. This innovative event combined synthetic biology knowledge with urban orienteering, allowing participants to explore the wonders of synthetic biology through completing various citywide tasks. The activity achieved dual objectives of knowledge acquisition and team collaboration.

Preparation

Inspiration

As an interdisciplinary frontier science, synthetic biology is often regarded as "profound and difficult to understand". To break this cognitive barrier, members from the Education Department of ShanghaiTech University's iGEM Team put forward an idea: integrating synthetic biology into urban life scenarios. There are many clues related to biology in the city. Therefore, ShanghaiTech University's iGEM Team proposed the concept of "incorporating synthetic biology into urban orienteering", aiming to help participants feel the close connection between science and daily life through active exploration.

Planning

The organizers meticulously designed routes and tasks, embedding the core concepts of synthetic biology into them. The task challenges include:

• Identifying allergens in parks
• Solving puzzles related to gene transcription and translation
• Simulating organelle functions through team games

These tasks not only test participants' observation skills but also serve as vivid science education carriers, allowing participants to naturally acquire knowledge in the process of solving problems.

Volunteer Recruitment and Training

Volunteers are the key force to ensure the smooth progress of the activity. The team recruited volunteers from ShanghaiTech University and provided them with professional training. During the activity, volunteers were responsible for handling various detailed affairs, maintaining the order of the activity process and dealing with unexpected situations, providing solid support for the successful holding of the activity.

Event Execution

Despite the scorching weather, participants showed tremendous enthusiasm. After the kickoff, teams carrying task manuals embarked on a citywide challenge of exploration and collaboration.

Throughout the city, participants engaged in diverse activities:
Some focused on solving synthetic biology crossword puzzles to obtain next location clues.
Others photographed phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria coexisting with agapanthus or arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on willow trees, documenting microbe-plant symbiotic relationships.
In the "Skin Microbiome Zone," participants roleplayed engineered bacteria, collaborating to touch "lesion points" and simulate disease treatment system activation. At supermarket fresh food sections, teams compared nutritional labels to design optimal meal plans for patients, competing on dietary solution.

ShanghaiTech University Task Points

When designing our tasks, we took into account their connection with our iGEM project and developed the following tasks that are highly relevant to rhinosinusitis.

Century Park: Allergen Detective Challenge

At Century Park, participants transformed into "rhinosinusitis cause detectives," precisely searching the area following task clues. They focused on lotus ponds, carefully photographing floating pollen and aquatic plant debris, tracking how these microparticles disperse with breezes and considering the chain reactions they might trigger when inhaled. This experience helped participants understand the direct connection between natural allergens and rhinosinusitis, raising awareness about preventive measures during pollen seasons.

Mysterious Letter: Urban Locations Hidden in Gene Sequences

Zhangjiang Science Hall: Immune Cell Simulation

On June 23, 2025, the International Forum on the Industrial Development of Synthetic Biology was held at Zhangjiang Science Hall. Experts and scholars from all over the world gathered here to share application and innovation achievements in fields such as biomedicine, human nutrition and earth health. We chose this place as a task point for orienteering not only because its rooftop garden and forest space provide a variety of routes and interesting task scenarios, realizing the integration of science and nature, but also because we hope to introduce this landmark of cutting-edge scientific exchange to participants.

As the final station of the activity, Zhangjiang Science Hall was transformed into a giant "immune cell". By shuttling through various "organelles", participants embarked on an adventure of "protein synthesis + vesicle transport":

At the entrance, each team took a group photo with the "cell membrane" marker, which served as the "passport" for the activity.

At the "ribosome" task point, participants took part in a three-person two-legged race to simulate the dehydration and condensation process of amino acids; teams with more members lined up in a row to simulate the unbroken "peptide chain".

In the "endoplasmic reticulum" area, participants acted as "vesicles" and were responsible for transporting materials.

At the "Golgi apparatus" task point, each team needed to throw the "small protein" model into the marked "protein sorting holes" — some people held their breath to try to throw accurately, while others quickly adjusted their strategies after making mistakes.

Through these team games, the abstract cellular physiological processes became concrete and perceptible, helping participants intuitively understand the process of immune cells synthesizing and secreting antibodies in the process of resisting diseases.

Event Perks

ShanghaiTech prepared unique souvenirs:

• After completing the tasks, participants could get a free custom-made SynBioSH themed stamp.
• tRNA keychains and amino acid letter bracelets made by participants themselves, which turned biological knowledge into wearable art accessories.
• Limited-edition SynBioSH postcards, and participants could choose to mail them or keep them as souvenirs.

Participants loved these creative gifts and praised them as "both personalized and interesting".

Participant Feedback

Participants said that this activity was impressive due to its innovative "treasure-hunting" format, strong team collaboration atmosphere and high interactivity. Through challenges such as decrypting gene sequences and finding locations based on protein information, they not only learned biological knowledge but also personally experienced the power of team collaboration. From persevering in completing the entire course to working with teammates to overcome tasks, participants exercised both their mental and physical abilities, created unique memories and achieved the dual gains of knowledge learning and personal growth.

Feedback from Participants: Memorable Moments from the Event

1. "Deciphering the gene sequence was fascinating!"
2. "Using proteins to unlock the final mission location was super fun!"
3. "Solving RNA puzzles with classmates was awesome—great mental challenge! Highly recommend! Plus, I was the first to complete the protein-sorting maze!"
4. "Working with teammates to finish tasks felt really meaningful."
5. "The teamwork was incredible!"
6. "Getting outdoors and having fun was the best part!"
7. "The merch was so cool!"
8. "Loved the merchandise! Hope to see even more creative designs next time!"
9. "I learned so much about biology!"

These voices reflect the excitement, collaboration, and discovery that made the event unforgettable.

Exploration Never Ends! "Self-Discovery" More Touching Than Science Itself

For us, the SynBioSH Urban Orienteering Activity is a successful "innovative science popularization experiment". It proves that cutting-edge technology is not out of reach — through interesting and accessible forms, more people can understand synthetic biology and develop an interest in this field.

Although the activity has come to an end, the spirit of exploration continues. Most participants are eagerly looking forward to future SynBioSH series activities. We will continue to be committed to building a bridge between science and the public, and look forward to meeting everyone again in more interesting scenarios in the future.

Rainbow Bridge Public Benefit Activities

With People All Over the World

When the seeds of health science popularization cross national borders, and when public welfare forces join hands with professional knowledge, a health protection wall can be built for children in distant lands. This time, our team has collaborated with the Rainbow Bridge Public Welfare Organization, taking international mutual assistance as a link, to jointly create an exclusive science popularization video on rhinosinusitis for primary school students in Nepal. Beyond simply conveying knowledge about the disease, we hope to foster the growth of health awareness through cross-cultural exchanges from diverse perspectives, exploring new possibilities for international public welfare science popularization.

Traditional science popularization often struggles to break through geographical and cognitive boundaries due to its obscure language and monotonous forms. To ensure that primary school students in Nepal truly understand rhinosinusitis-related knowledge, we clarified our direction from the early preparation stage: to make science popularization "come alive," we must integrate real stories and diverse voices. We abandoned rigid knowledge indoctrination and instead designed a special interview segment, making the cross-border transfer of knowledge more engaging.

To protect the privacy of family members and professors, all characters in the video are portrayed and reenacted by our team members. This approach not only preserves the authenticity of the dialogues but also properly safeguards personal privacy, making this health-sharing initiative more thoughtful.

"At first, I thought my son's stuffy nose was just caused by a common cold, so I only gave him cold medicine, but his condition didn't improve. I then took him to the hospital, where he was misdiagnosed with rhinitis. After treating him for rhinitis for a while, his condition actually worsened—he started having thick yellow nasal discharge, frequent nosebleeds, and even had trouble breathing. I took him back to the hospital for a follow-up visit, and he was diagnosed with rhinosinusitis after a CT scan. Later, when he was treated for rhinosinusitis, his condition improved: the thick nasal discharge and stuffy nose lessened, and his sleep quality at night got better too." The parent's sincere narration naturally presents the symptoms of rhinosinusitis, its progression, the most effective examination method (CT scan), and the current situation where rhinosinusitis is often overlooked—without relying on a one-sided "lecture-style" science popularization. The professor then supplemented explanations on the differences between rhinosinusitis and the common cold based on the child's condition, while team members also asked questions at the right time to guide the dialogue closer to the children's level of understanding.

Summary: Cross-Border Collaboration, Centering People for Science Popularization

This public welfare activity of creating a science popularization video is a vivid practice of the Education Team's concept of "with people all over the world." In the future, we look forward to extending this public welfare science popularization model to more regions, allowing public welfare to spread through the power of mutual assistance and letting warm care light up the growth path of more children.

We-Media & Popular Science Short Videos

In the field of public health awareness, rhinosinusitis is often confused with rhinitis due to their similar symptoms. This cognitive bias leads many people to delay treatment, and some even develop severe conditions, which affects their normal life and health. Recognizing this pain point, we have carefully planned and launched a campaign to produce and release popular science short videos about rhinosinusitis, aiming to break down cognitive barriers and reduce the risk of severe rhinosinusitis.

To ensure that more people have access to these popular science contents that address the cognitive pain points, we have developed a precise multi-platform dissemination strategy. We simultaneously release the short videos, as well as the pre-promotion and activity effects of our other campaigns, on major social platforms such as Bilibili and Xiaohongshu. Moreover, we adjust the dissemination format according to the user characteristics of each platform to maximize the coverage of popular science.

Please click below for the platform account or link:

• X
• ins
• Bilibili
• rednote

Rhinosinusitis Popular Science Manual

Bridging the Knowledge Gap

In our interviews and research conducted with the Human Practices Department, we found that the public still has very limited knowledge about rhinosinusitis. The early symptoms of rhinosinusitis are often similar to those of a cold or allergy, such as nasal congestion, runny nose, headache, and sore throat. As a result, many people tend to mistake it for a "minor issue" and thus overlook the potential harms of the disease. In fact, if rhinosinusitis fails to receive timely diagnosis and treatment, it will not only significantly reduce the quality of life but may also gradually develop into chronic rhinosinusitis and even trigger complications. Regrettably, due to the lack of relevant popular science knowledge and a correct understanding of the disease’s severity, many patients often delay seeking medical care, leading to the deterioration of their condition.

Based on this practical problem, we have compiled and distributed a rhinosinusitis popular science manual for the public. The manual covers multiple aspects: first, it introduces the causes and pathogenesis of rhinosinusitis; second, it explains its typical symptoms, disease progression, and common misunderstandings; finally, we will briefly present the research project our team is currently conducting, which aims to develop new solutions for the early diagnosis and precise treatment of rhinosinusitis.

We hope that through this promotional material, more people can gain a correct understanding of rhinosinusitis, recognize the importance of early identification and scientific intervention, and thereby enhance the overall health awareness of the public. At the same time, we also hope that society can understand and support the value of relevant scientific research efforts, and jointly contribute to overcoming rhinosinusitis—a common yet overlooked disease.

PartⅡ

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When it comes to synthetic biology, most people are often deterred by its labels of "cutting-edge" and "abstract," regarding it as a laboratory theory far removed from daily life. In reality, however, the mysteries of this discipline lie in perceptible details—all it takes is a "popularization bridge" to let the public access its core charm. Every exploration we conduct aims to lift the veil of mystery surrounding synthetic biology through accessible interpretations and interactive experiences, enabling this cutting-edge discipline to move beyond the laboratory and become a field of knowledge that the public can perceive and approach with ease.

GenoMusic

From Genetic Sequences to Music Generation

Purpose & Significance

Music creation is not entirely a matter of sensibility—it embodies rigorous mathematical and logical structures, which share common ground with the Genetic Code. GenoMusic is more than just a programming toy; it represents a dialogue between science and art. By integrating biology with art, it uncovers the abstract aesthetics inherent in natural laws (such as the physical properties of amino acids) and expresses them through artistic media.

The GenoMusic project ingeniously connects biology, informatics, and musicology, sparking unexpected inspirations. This is highly aligned with iGEM’s goal of promoting interdisciplinary innovation and the diversified presentation of achievements.

Inspiration & Core Analogy

The project draws inspiration from the parallel relationship between the abstract beauty of genetic sequences in synthetic biology and the rigorous functionality of harmony in music theory. Our aim is to endow cold base pairs with warm auditory emotions.

Nonpolar amino acids correspond to the Tonic Function in music. These amino acids are usually hydrophobic and located inside proteins, forming a stable hydrophobic core that is crucial for protein folding—serving as the foundation of the three-dimensional structure. This perfectly mirrors the role of the tonic chord in music: it acts as the center and foundation of a musical key, bringing a sense of stability, tranquility, and "home," and serves as both the starting point and ultimate destination of harmonic progressions.

Charged polar amino acids correspond to the Dominant Function. Due to their electric charge, these amino acids are highly reactive and unstable, strongly seeking interactions with other molecules to reach a stable state with low energy. This perfectly aligns with the role of the dominant chord in music: its dissonant intervals create a strong sense of tension and direction, urgently requiring resolution to the stable tonic chord. This "tension-release" process is the core driving force behind the progression of music.

Uncharged polar and special amino acids correspond to the Subdominant Function. These amino acids are polar but have no strong electric charge, playing key roles in connecting, transitioning, and modifying biomolecules, with reactivity and stability falling between the previous two types. This is similar to the role of the subdominant chord in harmonic progressions: it does not have the sharp tension of the dominant chord, but extends naturally from the stable tonic chord, adding color, variation, and fluidity to the music. It builds a bridge to the dominant function and ultimately leads back to the tonic function, serving as an indispensable "transition" and "preparation" in the entire system.

Technical Details

Biological Process Simulation

• Transcription: Using string conversion (str.maketrans), DNA bases (ATCG) are replaced with their complementary RNA bases (UAGC).
• Translation: The RNA sequence is read in triplets (codons), and the corresponding amino acid is looked up from a predefined codon table.

Functional Mapping

• Based on predefined rules, each amino acid is classified and mapped to one of the three harmonic functions.

Chord Selection

• Diatonic chords are selected within a specific mode and categorized by harmonic function, creating a chord pool for each function. By randomly selecting chords, the same functional sequence can generate different specific chord progressions each time, enhancing playability.

Music Generation

• Chord Parsing: Chord names are parsed into root notes and chord types (for example, Gm7 is parsed into G and m7).
• Note Calculation: The interval structure of the chord type is looked up (for example, the intervals of a minor seventh chord m7 are [0, 3, 7, 10]), and all notes within a limited range of pitches are calculated based on the root note.

Arrangement & Orchestration

• Main Melody: Notes are selected from chord tones to generate musical phrases, using an ethereal "Hollow" timbre with added effects.
• Arpeggiated Chords: Arpeggio patterns are generated, using a sine wave timbre to add texture.
• Bass Line: The root note of each chord is extracted, lowered by two octaves, and played with a low-frequency pulse timbre to provide a foundational bass.
• Drum Kit: A simple rhythmic loop is programmed.
• Emotional Control: Volume parameters are dynamically adjusted according to the position of chords in the sequence, forming a simple emotional curve.

Workflow & User Guide

The project consists of three programs that are executed in sequence, ultimately converting a DNA sequence into a complete piece of music.

1. Download and install Sonic Pi.
2. Open the Python program, paste the gene sequence, and press the Enter key to obtain the code that can be run in Sonic Pi.
3. Input the gene sequence to output the file "sonic_pi_total.py".
4. Copy and paste the code into the main interface of Sonic Pi, then click "Run" to listen to the music transformed from the gene.

We imported a segment of the GZMK-related gene sequence AAGTTT……(A total of 398 bases.)……AATTAA from our team project into the program, which generated the following piece of music.

Auditory Echoes of the Code of Life: From Genetic Sequences to Melodies

The core logic of GenoMusic directly maps to the central dogma of synthetic biology:DNA → (Transcription) → RNA → (Translation) → Protein

Subsequently, we map the functions of amino acids to musical functions. The amino acid sequence of a protein determines its folded structure, and this structure ultimately defines the role (function) of the protein in cells. Similarly, the sequence of notes (chord progressions) in music determines the "shape" and "structure" of the music, and ultimately evokes specific functional emotional responses in listeners (such as stability, tension, relaxation, etc.).

Therefore, listening to the music generated by GenoMusic is essentially listening to the "functional sounds" contained in a gene sequence—it is an artistic interpretation of the code of life.

Coffee Tasting Session

An Exploratory Activity Shaping Future Activities and the "With People" Focus

In the early stage of the project, we explored the possibilities of various initiatives, aiming to find a promising direction and address practical problems.

Initially, decaffeinated coffee caught our attention. This type of coffee enables people who love the taste of coffee but are reluctant to sacrifice their sleep, as well as those who experience caffeine anxiety due to physical conditions or other reasons, to still enjoy coffee. Therefore, to popularize synthetic biology among college students, we organized a coffee tasting event. At the start of the event, the aroma of hand-brewed coffee filled the venue. Professionals demonstrated brewing techniques and guided everyone to taste different flavors, bridging the gap between the audience and coffee. Meanwhile, our team members introduced decaffeinated coffee to the students who were enjoying their coffee. While explaining its advantages in meeting the needs of specific groups, they also brought up synthetic biology — a field that can optimize the production of decaffeinated coffee by precisely regulating microbial metabolism, while reducing the costs and pollution associated with traditional processes. Through interesting cases about coffee fermentation technology on site, college students came to understand that synthetic biology is not out of reach; it has already been integrated into the research and development of daily beverages.

Feedback: Most students said that they had only drunk coffee in their daily lives and had never delved into the coffee-making process. After the tasting session, the students shared their interest in synthetic biology and expressed their willingness to learn more about this subject.

PartⅢ

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The iGEM concept of "Local people solving local problems all over the world" has never been a distant slogan, but a tangible practice rooted in daily life and dedicated to serving society. When scientific exploration moves beyond the laboratory and focuses on the real needs of different regions and groups of people, it can bring about warm and powerful changes.

Every project is closely aligned with "local needs": supplementing educational shortcomings in mountainous areas, seeking effective solutions for ecological governance, and inspiring children's scientific curiosity. We have always believed that the value of science does not lie in its complexity or obscurity, but in its ability to get close to people and serve people. To adapt technology to local contexts and let knowledge warm people's hearts—this is precisely the most vivid practice of the iGEM concept.

From Labs to Explorations

Spreading Synthetic Biology for "Self-Discovery"

During college life, social practice serves as a vital bridge connecting theory to reality. When education programs are integrated into social practice, they no longer merely turn iGEM’s philosophy of "solving local problems for local people" into tangible action—more importantly, they transform every initiative into a "stage for self-discovery". We have carried out practical projects in three locations—Jingxian County, Jiancao Township, and Wuwei City. Each experience is not just a mark on our path of science communication and social service, but also a space where participants can activate their exploratory thinking, break through cognitive boundaries, and independently unlock the connections between synthetic biology and their own lives.

Light of Education Illuminating the Mountain Village: iGEM Team’s Teaching Journey in Jiancao Township, Yunnan

Jiancao Township in Yunlong County, Yunnan Province, is a remote village nestled among towering mountains. With limited transportation and underdeveloped local economies, most villagers rely on farming as their primary source of income, which remains modest. Due to geographical constraints and economic challenges, educational resources in the area are scarce—school facilities are basic, teaching staff is insufficient, and access to advanced scientific knowledge is particularly limited for the children. Yet, despite these hardships, the students here are eager to learn, their eyes alight with curiosity and wonder about the world beyond their mountains. It was against this backdrop that we decided to bring the spark of scientific discovery to Jiancao Township, opening a window for these children to explore the wonders of life sciences.

During this teaching initiative, we delivered an engaging biology lesson to seventh and eighth graders on the topic of "Microorganisms and the Human Immune System." The class began with familiar fermented foods like yogurt and pickles, helping students recall the role of lactic acid bacteria. We then expanded beyond their textbooks, introducing microbes such as Bifidobacterium and E. coli, reinforcing their characteristics through interactive matching exercises. At first, the children were intrigued by these unfamiliar terms, but as the lesson progressed, they grew more enthusiastic, eagerly raising their hands to participate. In the second segment, students used colored pencils to sketch bacterial structures. Though some initial drawings were imprecise, with patient guidance from our team members, they gradually grasped the basic forms of bacteria and proudly displayed their work. The final segment on the immune system, illustrated through animated videos and a "bodyguard" analogy for the three lines of defense, captivated the students, sparking thoughtful questions and lively discussions.

This teaching experience not only introduced these rural children to vibrant scientific knowledge but also planted seeds of curiosity in their minds. The students learned about the crucial role microorganisms play in human immunity. After the lesson, many exclaimed in amazement, "The immune system is absolutely fascinating!" Some were even inspired to pursue scientific careers in microbiology. Their enthusiastic responses—expressing amazement that "not all bacteria are bad" and fascination with how "the immune system is like an army"—deeply moved us. Education is not just about imparting knowledge; it is about inspiring dreams. Though resources in Jiancao Township are limited, the children’s passion for learning and creativity deserve to be nurtured through quality education. Through iGEM’s initiatives, we hope to continue bringing high-quality science education to underserved regions, bridging the urban-rural education gap and ensuring every child has the opportunity to explore a broader world.

Proposal for Microbial Sand Fixation Technology: Aiding Ecological Restoration in Wuwei, Gansu

Wuwei City in Gansu Province, as a crucial ecological barrier in the eastern Hexi Corridor, faces severe challenges in combating desertification. Traditional sand fixation methods like straw checkerboards and chemical treatments suffer from high costs, short service life, and significant ecological disturbance, with vegetation survival rates below 30%, creating an urgent need for effective solutions.

Currently, innovative technologies such as microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation and plant-microbe synergistic sand fixation have achieved breakthrough progress in laboratory settings. However, their practical application encounters two major obstacles: first, the lack of effective communication channels between government agencies and research institutions makes it difficult for decision-makers to fully comprehend the technical principles and application value; second, the substantial gap between controlled laboratory conditions and complex field environments requires systematic adaptation of research outcomes.

The iGEM Education Team from ShanghaiTech University engaged in discussions with the Wuwei local government to promote the "microbial mineralization + Artemisia ordosica root system" collaborative sand fixation technology. This approach utilizes microorganisms to generate calcium carbonate for binding sand particles, combined with the reinforcing effect of Artemisia ordosica roots, achieving cost-effective, durable, and environmentally friendly sand fixation. The team presented detailed technical principles, cost advantages, and pilot implementation plans to support innovative ecological governance practices.

Local authorities responded positively to our proposal, recognizing that this integrated technology offers new possibilities for addressing regional sand control challenges, particularly appreciating its environmental benefits and economic advantages. They also noted that due to Minqin's unique low-salinity and high wind erosion conditions, the technical solution requires further optimization to fully adapt to local circumstances.

As the iGEM Education Team, we leverage our biological expertise and face-to-face government engagement to play a pivotal role in technology transfer. This direct communication approach delivers multiple benefits: it enables clear demonstration of microbial sand fixation principles through interactive presentations; facilitates immediate identification of gaps between research outcomes and practical needs (such as the unidentified wind erosion resistance of newly formed materials); and allows for targeted optimization recommendations based on field data, including microbial strain adjustments and construction process improvements.

This embodies the core mission of the iGEM Education Team - we serve not only as science communicators but also as facilitators of technological transformation. By establishing a comprehensive framework encompassing technology demonstration, needs assessment, and solution optimization, we help researchers understand specific field requirements while enabling government agencies to make informed decisions, ultimately driving innovative technologies toward practical ecological applications. Our work provides a replicable model for bridging the "lab-to-field" implementation gap and lays a solid foundation for deeper industry-academia-research collaboration.

Left-Behind Children Care: Reigniting Innate Interest in Science in Jingxian, Anhui

We put a lot of thought into selecting the experimental materials. Deliberately avoiding professional equipment used in laboratories, we instead chose everyday items such as plastic cups, bananas, dish soap, salt, and alcohol, turning the experiment into a "simple home activity". Our aim was to let the children intuitively feel that science is never an unattainable subject; it is hidden in the accessible details of daily life around them. (The picture shows a classroom in session, where team members are conducting trial lectures and preliminary experiments.)

During the experiment class, the children's enthusiasm completely exceeded our expectations. Working in pairs, they followed each step with great care: gently mashing bananas into a pulp, adding dish soap to break down cell walls, and then using salt to precipitate DNA... When they finally saw the thin, cotton-like white strands of DNA in the alcohol layer, the classroom erupted with exclamations. "So this is the DNA we read about in textbooks!" the children excitedly showed their experimental results to each other, their eyes shining with a desire for science.

After the course, we distributed questionnaires. Many children wrote in the questionnaires that this activity had greatly increased their interest in biology; one child's words left a deep impression on us: "I want to be a scientist in the future and explore more interesting knowledge!" When we came across this response, we became even more certain of the significance of integrating the iGEM Education program into social practice—not only do we impart knowledge and teach an experiment class, but more importantly, we ignite a spark of science in the children's hearts.

Summary: Conveying the Warmth of Science Through Practice, Empowering Education

From the DNA extraction experiment in Jingxian County, Anhui, to bacterial painting in Jiancao Township, Yunnan, and the collaborative sand fixation technology proposal in Wuwei, Gansu—every journey has been filled with challenges and rewards. In this process, we not only spread iGEM’s philosophy and synthetic biology knowledge to more people, but also gained a deeper understanding of the significance of the Education program through interactions and feedback with different groups in various regions.

Looking ahead, we will further integrate the Education program with social practice, uphold the theme of "with people", and explore more innovative forms of science popularization and technology implementation methods. We aim to let the light of science shine into more corners and contribute to "solving local problems for local people".

Hands-On Science with People

Microbes & Cells Crafts

We visited the ShanghaiTech University Affiliated Primary School to carry out a unique popular science practice activity on biology. The event, themed "The Wonderful World of Microbes and Cells," featured three fun hands-on projects: Bacterial Stone Painting, Cell Scratch-art Bookmarks, and Colony Painting. By combining hands-on practice with artistic creation, the activity aimed to spark primary school students' interest in life sciences and enhance their scientific literacy and creativity.

This event was not only an opportunity to convey scientific knowledge but also an exploration of the integration of science and art. We aimed to help students understand basic biological concepts by presenting abstract microbial and cellular structures in an intuitive and engaging way. Through hands-on crafting, we enhanced participants' sense of involvement and experience, cultivating their practical skills and observational abilities. We also encouraged students to express artistic creativity based on scientific principles, fostering interdisciplinary thinking. At the same time, iGEM team members served as science communicators, improving their communication and organizational skills while fulfilling social responsibilities. By personally painting bacteria, cells, and colonies, the children learned through play, reflected through creation, and gradually built a preliminary understanding of the microscopic world, planting seeds for their future scientific learning.

During the Bacterial Stone Painting session, students used acrylic paints to depict the structures of common bacteria such as E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus on stones. We emphasized explaining the basic morphology, structure, and functions of bacteria, such as cell walls, flagella, and pili, and encouraged students to design "their own bacteria," enhancing the fun and engagement through creative expression.

In the Cell Scratch-art Bookmark session, students used scratch-art paper to create bookmarks featuring microscopic cell structures. We introduced the basic components and functions of cells, highlighting them as the fundamental units of life. This activity not only allowed students to learn scientific knowledge but also resulted in practical and visually appealing bookmarks that served as tangible representations of science, achieving a perfect blend of utility and aesthetics.

During the Colony Painting activity, students used watercolors or colored pens to draw colony patterns in various colors and shapes on circular paper cards. We explained the formation and diversity of colonies and their significance in scientific research, allowing students to express their imagination of the microbial world through colors and shapes, truly achieving an organic integration of art and science.

Feedback: Growth from the Science & Art Biology Activity

SyNbiosis

A board game about synthetic biology & the harmonious coexistence of humans and nature

Purpose & Significance

Amid the growing pressure of global carbon emissions and the increasingly prominent ecological and environmental issues, how can we help the general public more intuitively understand the cutting-edge power of synthetic biology, as well as the collaborative role of the four main entities—ecology, society, technology, and production—in achieving harmonious coexistence between humans and nature? Beecarbonize on Steam has inspired us, so we designed the board game SyNbiosis with the theme of "human-nature coexistence and synthetic biology". Through this innovative gamified format, we hope to contribute to the promotion of synthetic biology in a way that is more accessible to the public.

Gameplay Introduction

We have created a background that is close to reality yet full of exploratory elements: Against the backdrop of worldwide problems such as excessive global carbon emissions, frequent extreme climate events, and resource shortages, four players will respectively represent the four main sectors—government, society, technology, and production—and embark on a collaborative challenge centered around "balancing development and ecology". Each sector has its own unique development cards.

For example:

• The ecological sector can use "Afforestation Cards" to absorb carbon dioxide and generate a small amount of production coins.
• The social sector can use "Low-Carbon Lifestyle Advocacy Cards" to rally public efforts.
• The production sector starts with the high-pollution and low-efficiency "20th-Century Industry" and needs to upgrade, while making choices about the future direction of industrial development.
• The technology sector can use "Biofuel Production Cards" to unlock more low-carbon and efficient production cards.

During the game, players not only have to deal with random events such as "earthquakes" and "technology R&D failures" but also face a series of incidents caused by excessive carbon emissions, over-reliance on oil drilling, and the use of nuclear energy. Players need to coordinate their strategies tacitly to jointly promote the dual goals of reaching peak carbon emissions and achieving development growth. This is precisely the concrete manifestation of the "symbiosis" concept embedded in the name SyNbiosis.

Play in Biosphere 2 on table: for Ecological Awareness & Tech Popularization

In the technology sector, some of the cards are "Synthetic Biology Cards", which we designed with reference to projects from previous iGEM competitions. When players use these "Synthetic Biology Cards" to solve pollution problems and improve resource utilization, they can naturally understand how synthetic biology contributes to ecological restoration and its application logic in low-carbon production. On the other hand, by simulating the collaboration among the four sectors, players can deeply realize that "the harmonious coexistence between humans and nature" is not the effort of a single entity alone. This model of "experiencing through games and thinking through experiences" is more interesting and engaging, and better able to inspire players to pay attention to ecology and participate in environmental protection in real life.

Epilogue

“For Self-Discovery”—The Endless Journey of EDUCATION

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From the streets of Shanghai, where participants chased clues in the SynBioSH Urban Orienteering to independently unlock the mysteries of synthetic biology; to the mountain villages of Yunnan, where children activated their exploratory thinking while absorbing microbial knowledge, their curious eyes lighting up as they broke through cognitive limits; from the desert edges of Gansu, where we guided local partners to connect laboratory innovation with ecological needs, inspiring proactive exploration of localized solutions; to the classrooms of Shanghai’s primary schools, where students turned bacteria and cells into painted stones and scratch-art bookmarks—each step of our journey has revolved around one core: “for self-discovery”. We never saw science as a cold, distant discipline, nor education as one-way knowledge output; instead, we strived to turn every activity into a “stage” for independent exploration, letting everyone become the protagonist of their own scientific discovery.

The GenoMusic project turned gene sequences into melodious tunes, allowing people to feel the charm of synthetic biology through auditory exploration and independently discover the hidden connection between science and art; the SyNbiosis board game let players experience the harmony between humans and nature through collaborative decision-making, guiding them to proactively unlock the logic of interdisciplinary collaboration behind ecological protection; the cross-border public welfare video with Rainbow Bridge brought rhinosinusitis knowledge to Nepali children, inspiring them to take the initiative to explore health management and establish their own understanding of disease prevention.

We have learned that the true value of the iGEM Education Department lies not in how much knowledge we “impart”, but in how many people we inspire to “explore independently”—whether it is a rural child exclaiming “I actually extracted DNA!” as they take the initiative to uncover the secrets of life, a local worker in Gansu actively thinking about optimizing microbial sand fixation technology, or a college student curious about the science behind decaf coffee and taking the first step to inquire and explore. These small, real moments of “independent discovery” are the most precious rewards of our work.

We know this is not an end, but a new starting point for more self-discovery journeys. The philosophy of “for self-discovery” will continue to guide us. In the future, we look forward to creating more immersive, exploratory scenarios, accompanying more people to break through cognitive boundaries, unlock the boundless possibilities of the scientific world through their own initiative, and write a more vibrant, participant-centered chapter of education.