The Synthetic Biology Lottery (Lotería de Biología Sintética) is an educational adaptation of the classic and culturally beloved Mexican game “lotería.” Traditionally played with illustrated cards and boards similar to bingo, lotería encourages quick recognition and cultural familiarity.

As part of the iGEM UAM Team’s outreach efforts, this timeless game was reimagined to teach key concepts of synthetic biology in a fun and interactive way. Each card replaces traditional artwork with synthetic biology elements, terms, and tools — designed to help players of all ages engage with science in an accessible, meaningful, and culturally relevant format.

The downloadable kit includes:

• 32 illustrated cards, each featuring a synthetic biology concept and its definition.
• 10 printable boards, each with 16 randomized images for dynamic gameplay.
• A full instruction sheet for teachers, facilitators, and community educators.

Instructions for Playing the Synthetic Biology Lottery

Objective

Be the first player to complete a winning pattern on your board (a row, column, diagonal, or full board) by marking the concepts that are called aloud.

Materials Needed

• 32 Synthetic Biology cards with illustrations and definitions.
• 10 lottery boards, each containing 16 different concepts.
• Markers such as beans, buttons, or paper squares.

Game Setup

• Each player receives one lottery board.
• One person is designated as the announcer (“cantor”).
• The announcer shuffles the deck of 32 cards and keeps them face down.

How to Play

• The announcer draws one card at a time and reads its name and definition. Example: “Promoter – a DNA sequence that initiates transcription.”
• Players check whether the concept is on their board.
• If present, they place a marker on that space.
• The announcer continues until a player completes a winning pattern.

Winning the Game

A player must complete one of the following patterns and shout “¡Lotería!”:

• One full row, column, or diagonal
• Or — for a longer match — the entire board

The announcer verifies the board by checking it against the cards that have been called.

Educational Tip

Encourage players to briefly discuss each concept as it is announced. This transforms the game into an interactive group learning activity, reinforcing understanding while keeping gameplay lively and collaborative.