Get Ready for the first-ever iGEM Global Meet-up!
by iGEM HQ
This generation of iGEMers is doing an incredible job of defining what it means to carry out a successful iGEM project during a global pandemic. You are pioneering advances in synthetic biology with or without lab access, and are active in making iGEM, and the scientific community in general, more accessible and inclusive. You are dreamers. You get things done. It’s no surprise that your innovative spirit and desire to contribute to society continues through this exceptional iGEM 2020 season.
We invite you to join your fellow iGEMers from all over the world to connect, collaborate and celebrate at the first-ever iGEM Global Meet-up. With over 50% of the activities led by iGEM 2020 teams, the iGEM Global Meet-up is your chance to meet and engage with your fellow iGEMers in a multitude of inspiring and fun ways:
Welcome Ceremony and Keynotes
The iGEM Global Meet-up will kick off with a Welcome Ceremony, where you’ll go on a virtual world tour with the iGEM Ambassadors who will be reporting on what iGEM, synbio and 2020 is like in their region of the world, including Africa/Middle East, Asia, Europe, Latin America and North America. The Welcome Ceremony will be streamed in three time slots so that you can tour the world together with your fellow iGEMers no matter where in the world you live.
Following the Welcome Ceremony, you can enjoy keynote talks/panels on topics relevant to the broader iGEM community, including:
Worldwide Synergy of Synthetic Biology – iGEMers are building a better world by solving problems with the help of synthetic biology. In this keynote, regional champions in synthetic biology will share their thoughts on iGEM and the future of synthetic biology in creating solutions to challenges in healthcare, agriculture, manufacture, environment, and more.
Women in STEM – Hear inspiring stories of inclusion and impact with a live panel discussion and 1-on-1 interviews with leaders in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) who will share their experiences working to create a more equitable scientific community.
World of 2030: Sustainable Development Goals – Our world is changing - what will it look like in 2030? How can the Sustainable Development Goals help guide us towards a more equitable and sustainable future? And what role will Synthetic Biology and iGEM community have in shaping this future? Join us for this keynote for discussing this and more.
Practical Tips for Succeeding in the iGEM Competition
There is always more to learn, whether you are a new iGEMer learning the ropes of synthetic biology and the iGEM competition for the first time, or a returning iGEMers with experience in working collaboratively on a team and creating the deliverables to communicate your iGEM project (wiki, poster, presentation, etc.). At the iGEM Global Meet-up, you’ll find a variety of workshops, webinars and panel discussions hosted by fellow iGEMers and After iGEMers that can help you succeed in the iGEM 2020 competition. Some of the practical tips, how-tos and resources you’ll find include:
- How to present your project by story telling
- Communicating science to non-experts
- How to build your team wiki
- Software packages that make creating and uploading iGEM wikis easier
- Creating project promotion videos
- Virtual capabilities for iGEM teams
- How to foster collaboration on the JOGL platform
- Optimizing team structure for synbio projects
- How to map your project to Sustainable Development Goals
- Resources for functional nucleic acids
- How to prepare for the entrepreneurship prize and begin your journey as an iGEM biofounder
- Essential entrepreneurship for iGEM teams
You’ll even have an opportunity to meet with and ask questions of the iGEM Committees – Diversity & Inclusion, Human Practices, Judging, Measurement, Safety & Security, Video Technology – at the Committee Fair, where all of this expertise will be gathered in one place.
Games, Activities, Networking
All work and no play would make for a very dull iGEM experience indeed! Come meet and play with your fellow iGEMers by participating in the many games, interactive activities and networking sessions featured at the iGEM Global Meet-up. Take time to relax and unwind by playing:
- iGEM Bingo
- What do you meme?
- Riff-off game
- Who wants to be an iGEMer?
- How to Bake an iGEM roll
- Pass the Mask
- BioBlox Tournament
You can celebrate the diversity of our iGEM Community at the Team Spirit poster session and by attending the iGEM World Tour Parties, featuring food culture, tropical islands, dance fest and Mars Exploration.
Discussions to broaden your horizons
At the iGEM Global Meet-up you’ll have many opportunities to learn something more about what is going on in the world within and beyond iGEM. Topics for discussions, workshops, and panels range from GMO ethics & attitudes to BioMakerspaces, Cellular therapies, Coot software, COVID diagnostics, Directed Evolution, Dual Use Research of Concern, Equality, Language & Accessibility, Machine Learning, Soil & Biodiversity, Tween synthetic biology, Pandemic preparedness, Safe-by-Design, Sci-Comm magazine, SynBio in clinical practice, and more. And be sure to check out the iGEM Alumni session which will introduce you to the many ways that your iGEM experience can influence the direction of your career.
The first-ever iGEM Global Meet-up (August 20, 21, 22) is an event not to be missed. Can’t wait to see you there!
