Team:Rotterdam HR/iGEMSqueeze

iGEM Rotterdam HR 2019

iGEM Squeeze

Streamlining your ideas!

In our quest to select our iGEM (International Genetically Engineered Machine) project, we have created this game and are excited to share the result with you. Within these pages, you will discover the secrets to effectively and efficiently achieving an iGEM project.

The game has been carefully designed to help iGEM teams cull back the storm of ideas generated from a brainstorming session. It allows you to streamline the ideas at the extremity of four set of conditions in combination with the Golden Circle method. By mindfully considering the value and motivation of the suggested iGEM projects, your team will be able to “squeeze” out ideas, and advance with their top, most highly valued project(s).

Have you got 99 iGEM ideas and can’t pick one? Follow this guidebook closely and start playing!

Components

Game board: The game is distributed digitally, therefore it would be more practical to have it printed. The dimension of the game board is A1 size (594 x 841mm).

Idea Cards: The idea cards can be cut out from a standard A4 paper (210 x 297mm). The size of the cards are ideally custom mini European playing cards (44mm x 67mm) with 8 cutouts per A4 sheet.

How to use the iGEM Squeeze

Step 1: Ideas

During the brainstorming session, all members of the iGEM team write their ideas on the idea card (one per card). Place the cards on the designated spot on the board.

Starting from any member of the team, take a card from the deck and present the idea written on it.


Step 2: The Golden Circle

Now you enter the Golden Circle method consisting of three main questions: why, how and what. Think about the economic, ecological and social value with each question! The author of the idea is put in the spotlight to defend their idea:




Ask yourself and the group why you proposed this idea and the reasoning to be the next iGEM project.

Ask yourself and the group how you want to implement your idea into the world. Here it is important to be concrete and keep your explanation concise. Only elaborate when the group does not (fully) understand your answer.

Ask yourself and the group what end product you want to achieve with your idea. This refers to the end product that you want to make



Step 3: Quadrants

Once your idea has survived the Golden Circle, you will place it in the appropriate quadrant.

The two important elements to consider are: if there is an interest; whether the idea will excite curiosity or attention, and; if there is an impact; whether the idea will have a marked effect or influence on people or the world.







HIGH INTEREST - LOW IMPACT

If the idea has a high interest but a low impact, it signifies that the idea will be in demand but without significance effect.







HIGH INTEREST - HIGH IMPACT

If the idea has a high interest and high impact, it signifies that the idea will be in demand and with great effect.







LOW INTEREST - LOW IMPACT

If the idea has a low interest and low impact, it signifies that the idea will not be in demand and without effect.







LOW INTEREST - HIGH IMPACT

If the idea has a low interest but high impact, it signifies that the idea will not be in demand but the effect will be high.



It is important that you at least have some background information about the ideas you are presenting. With the team, you can obtain their knowledge on the subject and also research further, especially in the areas concerning:
  • Economic value
  • Ecological value
  • Social value
  • Market interest
  • Market impact


Step 4: Game End

Now, here is our strategy! Remove all the cards placed in the red-zone - these are ideas which do not contain potential value to work on as an iGEM project.

Based on your team’s interest, you can choose whether you want to aim for the yellow, blue or green quadrant in this year’s iGEM competition. Once a quadrant has been chosen, arrange the idea cards from the most preferred to the least. From there, you should have at least 3 ideas to worry about! Good luck!

Credits

Game design by iGEM Hogeschool Rotterdam 2019

Esra Sahiner-Bekdas, Pinar Sarikaya, Jos Veldscholte, Esther Jongste, Anass Fendrhoussi, Chi Yeung, Dilara Eker, Ruben Sturkenboom, Emrullah Akça, Shirin Lounge, Julia Wissink, Manita Schrieks and Nathalie van Wingerden

Graphic design by Esther Jongste, Shirin Louange and Anass Fendrhoussi
Guidebook design by Shirin Louange and Anass Fendrhoussi

A special thanks from iGEM Hogeschool Rotterdam 2019 to all those who helped playtest the game.

See you at this year's Jamboree!