Edition 2024
On 11 September 2024, during the second edition of the iGEM Challenge Day, iGEM TU Eindhoven welcomed 40 high school students to Eindhoven University of Technology, offering them a hands-on introduction to synthetic biology. Students were divided into two groups to work on parallel assignments, with both groups rotating through each activity during the day.
In the morning, one group took on a forensic science lab challenge, analyzing biological evidence to solve the fictional murder of Klaas van der Maas. The lab work narrowed down suspects to just two, setting the stage for the next activity. Meanwhile, the other group began a mini iGEM project, where they developed synthetic biology-based solutions to address real-world challenges. Each team crafted a project idea and prepared a poster to summarize their solution. Midway through the day, the groups switched so that each student experienced both the lab challenge and the synthetic biology project work.
After completing both activities, all students took part in an escape room where they solved puzzles to identify the “killer” in the Klaas van der Maas mystery. This collaborative activity provided a thrilling wrap-up to the forensic investigation, bringing students together to reach a final conclusion.
The day wrapped up with an energetic poster market, where students showcased their projects to each other and a panel of judges. They eagerly shared their ideas, gathered feedback, and engaged in meaningful discussions. To add an interactive twist, each team received 400 monopoly dollars to “invest” in the projects they found most promising. By the end, two teams emerged as winners: one chosen by the judges and the other by the investment game, and thus the students themselves. Of course, no one left empty-handed: each student received a gold medal for their accomplishments and a certificate of participation.
With such a successful event and a lot of positive feedback from the students, iGEM TU Eindhoven hopes to continue organizing the Challenge Day in the coming years, further inspiring young minds in synthetic biology. Highlights and more photos from the day can be found on the iGEM TU/e 2024 wiki page.
