Summary

After getting to know each other, we quickly got to work and started brainstorming possible project ideas. Many topics were discussed, for example building a light-inducible cell printer, but with each idea we discussed we realized that our project has to be a foundational asset to not only the iGEM but the SynBio community. Thus - with the valuable input of our supervisors - we dug deeper into literature and kept looking for a fascinating project.

Lessons

• During the brainstorming phase we identified various aspects of an successful project. We started thinking of ways on how to incorporate society into the progress of finding our project.

Actions

• We dug deeper into the literature, read countless papers and had countless brainstorming sessions.
• We decided that besides the valuable input from our supervisors we wanted to engage with the public to find a project that is a pressing issue in society and science.

Summary

During our brainstorming phase, we had the chance to discuss the possibilities of synthetic biology with a class of high school students. We aimed to arouse their interest in synthetic biology and to reflect on any misconceptions they might have due to the ambiguous public perception of synthetic biology. We discussed ethical aspects of synthetic biology and genetic engineering. Additionally we highlighted the possibilities that high school classes can also join iGEM, which really resonated with them. Click /here/ to find out more

Lessons

• The importance of society in scientific debates, regardless of age, should not be underestimated.
• Inspired us to further research misconceptions of Synthetic Biology due to polarizing effects of tabloid media.

Actions

• Agreed to seek further inspiration by working with the public
• Started to lay a foundation for our public engagement (VERLINKUNG)
• Offered our supervision/help, if they would want to start an high school iGEM team

Summary

After reflecting on the discussion with the high school students, we realized that many questions were influenced by the headlines in recent years (for example the “CRISPR babies” in China ^{2). We asked ourselves how polarizing headlines affects the way people evaluate synthetic biology. To answer this question, we went on the streets of Freiburg to demonstrate how over-dramatisation through media can lead to misconceptions of scientific topics. With the interviewed people we discussed in one on one conversations, possibilities and future potential, that synthetic biology may enable. Some shared new possible ideas with us, which gave us more input for our project search. Afterwards, we handed them a flyer, which gave a brief easy-to-understand summary of current topics in synthetic biology and explained the concept of iGEM. The personal stories and opinions of the interviewed project encouraged us to create a project, which has the potential to address a problem that affects everyone in our society and that can be solved by science and society together - hand in hand.}

Lessons

• The importance of society in scientific debates, regardless of age, should not be underestimated.
• Inspired us to further research misconceptions of Synthetic Biology due to polarizing effects of tabloid media.

Actions

• Agreed to seek further inspiration by working with the public
• Started to lay a foundation for our public engagement (VERLINKUNG)
• Offered our supervision/help, if they would want to start an high school iGEM team