During the progress of our project, we gradually realized that mothers with infants (the “mom group”)—our potential future users—were not familiar with synthetic biology or the scientific principles behind our formula milk design. To truly bridge the gap between research and real-world application, we decided to launch a series of educational and public engagement activities to introduce synthetic biology concepts and our project principles in an accessible, engaging way. Our goal was not only to help mothers understand what we do and provide valuable feedback, but also to enhance the public’s overall understanding of synthetic biology and its potential to improve daily life.

• Demystify synthetic biology — present complex ideas in simple, relatable language.
• Connect science with real needs — focus on nutrition, health, and the concerns of parents.
• Encourage feedback — let potential users influence design and application.
• Expand impact — reach broader audiences such as students, young parents, and anyone interested in health and innovation.

Educational Lecture for Mothers

In Shenzhen, our team organized an offline educational lecture for mothers titled “Synthetic Biology and Infant Nutrition.” The session aimed to introduce fundamental concepts of synthetic biology, explain the scientific principles of safety and nutrition, and highlight the innovative aspects of our project. Team members served as speakers, presenting a specially designed formula milk–themed PowerPoint to make the content relatable and easy to understand. During the session, mothers actively participated in discussions and a Q&A segment, where they shared valuable feedback and raised insightful questions about both the science and its practical applications. Their input provided us with meaningful perspectives that helped refine our project design and outreach strategy.

Figure 1: Offline educational lecture

Social Media Campaign — World Breastfeeding Day Promotion

To extend our outreach beyond in-person events, we launched a social media awareness campaign centered around World Breastfeeding Day (May 20 in China / August 1–7 internationally). Our team designed an eye-catching thematic poster combining scientific accuracy with creative design to highlight the importance of scientific parenting, nutrition, and maternal health. The poster was shared on popular platforms such as Xiaohongshu and WeChat Official Accounts, aiming to make synthetic biology–based nutrition concepts more accessible to the general public. Through this campaign, we effectively raised public awareness about the relationship between science and infant nutrition while promoting trust in synthetic biology innovations in everyday life.

Figure 2: Poster for World Breastfeeding Day

Creative Educational Product — Synthetic Biology Board Game Design

To make synthetic biology education more engaging and interactive, we designed a synthetic biology–themed board game that transforms complex scientific concepts into an enjoyable learning experience. Players can simulate the process of genetic engineering, assemble biological circuits, and solve real-world challenges through strategic decision-making—just like real synthetic biologists. This creative approach allows participants to learn scientific principles through play, fostering curiosity and understanding across different age groups. We plan to use this board game as an educational tool in schools and community activities, helping students and the public experience the fun and innovation of synthetic biology in an accessible and memorable way.

Figure 3: Aeroplane chess game

Our educational efforts were built on one simple belief:

"Good science should be understood, needed, and participated in by society."

By combining education, outreach, and dialogue, we turned our project from a lab-based idea into a socially meaningful initiative—paving the way for real-world application and long-term impact.