Difference between revisions of "Tracks"
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Revision as of 20:23, 12 January 2016
The purpose of the iGEM tracks is to help students focus their research projects. The subjects areas encompassed by the tracks aim to solve crucial global challenges; for examples, students have worked on projects related to environmental bioremediation, new medical delivery systems, and alternative energy sources using synthetic biology.
After conducting many experiments on tracks last year, we are making some refinements to the track structure in 2016:
Standard Tracks
- Diagnostics
- Energy
- Environment
- Food and Nutrition
- Foundational Advance
- Information Processing
- Manufacturing
- New Application
- Therapeutics
Special Tracks
- Art and Design
- Hardware
- Measurement
- Software
Changes to Standard Tracks
- All other teams who go for the cross-track prizes will not be eligible for the gallery space
- Standard track teams will not be able to bring hardware or demos to the Jamboree
- Teams will be required to make parts to achieve a gold medal
- Health and Medicine will split into Diagnostics and Therapeutics
- Standard track teams will be eligible for the Grand Prize
Changes to Special Tracks
- New tracks are renamed "Special Tracks"
- In 2016, these are: Art & Design, Hardware, Measurement and Software
- These tracks will have showcase space at the 2016 Jamboree
- Special Tracks are eligible for most prizes, except the Grand Prize
- We will offer cross-track prizes for all of these tracks. As with the current structure, teams in the Special Tracks will be ineligible for the equivalent cross-track prizes (teams in the measurement track will not be eligible for the measurement cross-track prize, for example).
- Special tracks will not be required to make parts to achieve a gold medal
Tracks in iGEM 2016
So why are we setting up iGEM tracks in this way in 2016? Last year, both the Grand Prizes were won by New Track teams (Measurement and Hardware). While there are reasons for this situation, iGEM HQ needs to be mindful of iGEM teams working in the standard tracks, focusing hard on synthetic biology wetlab projects. The Art & Design, Hardware and Software teams had a marked advantage over all other teams with the showcase areas last year. These spaces were great and we don't want to remove them, yet at the same time, we can't confer an unfair advantage to some iGEM teams and not others. Especially if those teams don't have a requirement to make parts during their project.
To this end, we are giving the choice to the teams. You can participate in the the special tracks and have the showcase space for showing off giant robots, software demos, art exhibitions and to generate buzz about these things at the Jamboree. Or you can participate as a regular team, make parts and compete for these special prizes as well as the Grand Prize.
If neither of these choices work, institutions can also send two teams to the Jamboree. We have offered this option to software and wetware teams for many years. We will offer a team-split deadline that will be much later than the regular registration deadline, so that you can start in the lab before deciding if you have a great special project you want to show off. As with every team, there will be a registration fee, but registering a second team will come with a substantial discount. Remember, two teams gives you two presentations, two posters and two chances to win most of the special prizes.
NOTE: Teams participating in the standard iGEM Tracks are not required to choose a track until later in the summer.
Requirements
Teams who choose to enter these tracks will need to meet iGEM Requirements unless otherwise stated. Requirements specific to each new track are stated on the new track pages, as well as on the iGEM 2016 Requirements page.
Questions ?
If you have any questions about these new awards please visit our corresponding wiki pages or contact HQ [at] iGEM [dot] ORG.
Be sure to check back soon for more details.
