Team:Waterloo/Engagement
The ultimate goal of iGEM, is to create a better world through the advancement of synthetic biology, in terms of technological applications as well as community outreach. Waterloo iGEM identified several areas where iGEM’s approach to community outreach could be improved. These areas are: gender equity, ethics, and openness. We attempted to tackle the issue of gender equity and ethics by partnering with the University of Waterloo’s WiSTEM (Women in Science, Technolgy, Engineering, and Math) and conducting workshops with high school students interested in science and technology. As a result, we were able to encourage involvement in science and technology for students of all backgrounds and simultaneously foster an environment to impart the respect for ethical practices that is central to iGEM’s functioning. Waterloo iGEM sought to encourage openness by adopting a consistent presence on social media where we sought to simplify the concepts around synthetic biology and humanize the people working to advance it. When more parties are equipped to conduct this crucial dialogue in advancing the role of synthetic biology, we are all better equipped to create the practices, policies and regulations on the future of synthetic biology.
