We found in human practice that public awareness of synthetic biology is not high. To promote the concept and knowledge of iGEM and synthetic biology, we decided to carry out a science relay for all age groups, including pupils, teenagers, peers, and adults. The theme of the preaching is determined by different groups of people. For pupils, we focus on eye care education and popularize some simple biological knowledge to them. For the older group, we shared synthetic biology knowledge with them and promoted the spread of iGEM within the community.

Education and communication are important channels for us to get feedback from the world. By communicating with different groups, we can better listen to the voices from the outside world, and thus promote synthetic biology, iGEM to society in a better way.

Target group survey

Target group surveys are an important channel for us to understand people's needs and concerns. Our team first conducted a social survey on the topic of "myopia and related equipment use and experience", involving the eye use and eye care habits of myopia groups, conventional treatment options for myopia, as well as people's acceptability and concerns about our microbial contact lenses. See our Target group survey page for details. This provides guidance for our subsequent educational content targeting different age groups.

For children: eye care education

In December, when we decided to take "myopia treatment" as the theme, our team came to Hangzhou Xuejun Primary School and held a publicity activity for the pupils. After that, we held a propaganda activity for kindergarten children on China Eye Care Day (June 6th , 2023). The theme of the two lectures is "Love your eyes, from childhood".

We know that childhood is an important stage in the development of the visual system and is also a period when myopia is common. By promoting the importance of eye health to children, we hope to attract their and their parents' attention and make them aware of the importance of protecting their eyes, so that they can take positive actions to prevent myopia.

By promoting the importance of eye health, we inspire their interest and create a sense of action to protect their eyes. We also provide this group of children with opportunities to update their knowledge and learn. They learned about eye health knowledge and practical skills, and improved their awareness of their own vision protection.

Fig.1 Children in the eye care education class

For children: Summer camp for biological enlightenment

In July, we cooperated with the ZJUT-China iGEM team, who contacted the volunteer teaching community of the university and went to Chakou Central Primary School, Fujian Province to carry out a summer camp for children. We recorded popular science videos for the children to introduce the basic knowledge of biology. These videos not only cover important areas of biology, but also use vivid, creative ways to make these complex concepts more understandable and accessible to elementary school students.

Our cooperation is not limited to the production of videos, but more importantly, we are committed to introducing these resources to the campuses in poor areas of China and those areas with less developed educational resources, so as to promote the science popularization of biological knowledge more widely. We believe that through this collaboration, we can stimulate children's interest in the biological sciences, stimulate their curiosity and provide them with more opportunities to gain an in-depth understanding of the life sciences.

Fig.2 We are conducting the biological knowledge enlightenment, and the child is showing us the animal cells he has created

For teenagers: synthetic biology introduction

In April, we went to the Wellington Expatriate Children's School (an international school in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province) for an in-class presentation. In this event, we introduced iGEM, an international competition, to high school sophomores who are interested in synthetic biology, and also shared our team's project design ideas and work content. Not only did we introduce the students to the concepts of the field of synthetic biology, but we also passed on our team's unique project ideas to the teens.

Additionally, we emphasize the importance of eye health and demonstrate the complexities of eye hygiene. Such presentations help arouse students' interest in synthetic biology and eye health issues, and stimulate their enthusiasm for scientific research and innovation.

The presentation also provided an opportunity for the students to communicate and interact with the professional team. They will learn about the latest developments in the field of synthetic biology and have hands-on experience with team projects, thereby broadening their scientific horizons and knowledge.

Fig.3 Introduction of synthetic biology in high school

For peers: promote the iGEM competition

Our student leader, Junchen Dong introduced the iGEM competition and our team's ideas for participating projects to peers at the College of Chemical and Biological Engineering of Zhejiang University. He explained to the students in detail the efforts of the team members during the preparation period, and showed the scientific research life that is different from the experimental courses and theoretical courses of undergraduates. This activity inspired students' interest in independent research and gave them a deeper understanding of the process and value of scientific research.

By listening to Dong Junchen's introduction and sharing, students were able to understand the exciting and challenging features of the iGEM event. This stimulated their interest in independent research and made them aware of the value and significance of participating in similar scientific research teams. At the same time, by showing the scientific research life different from traditional courses, students can gain a deeper understanding of the actual operation and research process of scientific research, and broaden their scientific horizons.

This publicity event created an environment for sharing and communication among peers, promoting mutual learning and inspiration among everyone.

Fig.4 Introduction of iGEM competition for peers

For adults: synthetic biology science relay video

We joined the iG20 (iGEM Group of 20) program organized by the LZU-China iGEM team. Here, we collaborated with more than 20 iGEM teams in China to carry out some of the more influential activities. We released a science popularization video of synthetic biology on social media to show the origin of synthetic biology, the subversive influence of synthetic biology in the fields of medical health, green energy, daily beauty, bio-based materials, food and other fields, and the development opportunities and challenges of synthetic biology in popular language to the public. We hope that through our publicity, synthetic biology can enter people's lives and let people see the influence and transformative effect of synthetic biology on the world.

Fig.5 Synthetic biology science relay poster