iGEM Competition

Alyssa was able to participate in a competition called the International Genetically Engineered Machine (IGEM), a competition that challenges students to solve real-world problems using synthetic biology. Both as a whole team leader and as a sub-team SDG leader, Alyssa was able to take the lead in having a structured approach to embedding and incorporating sustainability into the project.

The project focused on the following 4 SDG goals:
Goal 4 - Quality Education: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities that support sustainable development.
Goal 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
Goal 13 - Climate Action: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
Goal 17 - Partnership for the Goals: Work together as a whole to make a better world and future.

Alyssa made sure that there was a proper analysis and understanding of the background information of the problem that the project is focusing on, which was about climate change and the continued rise of plastic pollution. Based on the identification of the seriousness and the importance of the problem, relevant SDGs were chosen. From then on, Alyssa and her team members planned out the following activities that could be done for each of the SDG goals, making sure that all goals are achieved and tackled.

To start off, the team made sure to assess public awareness and behavior, checking how much knowledge people have in terms of the problem that they are focusing on. To understand how the public perceives bioplastics and climate-related issues, the SDG team conducted online and in-person surveys. These efforts aimed to assess not only general awareness but also consumer behavior and willingness to engage with sustainable alternatives.

Results showed that there was a significant difference between concern and action. A majority did express concern over climate change and plastic pollution; however, actions weren’t the same; environmental sustainability didn’t emerge as a top factor in purchasing things. Most responses prioritized price and product quality, even though they were open to switching to bioplastics if affordability matched traditional plastics.

With the data that was collected, one of the team’s main strategies was to engage younger audiences in learning about environmental issues. The “Low Carbon Solid Soap DIY Instruct” activity was designed to make the concepts of bioplastics and sustainability accessible to students. Participants used custom booklets to create their own eco-friendly soaps, but at the same time, learning about climate change, plastic alternatives, and sustainable consumption. The content was simplified to be approachable to all age groups, but also included important aspects related to climate change, such as the 5 Rs (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle), to build awareness of environmental responsibility and actions that they could take as students.

To further bring impact, the team distributed over 200 informational pamphlets across several international schools and public facilities. These materials outlined key facts about plastic pollution and mainly the team’s project in general.

Furthermore, social media was also used to create more awareness through online engagement and strategic communication. The Instagram SDG Hashtag movement, challenge, and campaign were done to encourage public participation. Also, a student-led TED talk summit and podcast series were done to bring further collaboration with different people and an in-depth exploration of sustainability topics. In the summit, different leaders from different organizations and clubs were able to develop a business proposal to explore how bioplastics could be integrated into current markets as well as a resolution proposal to advocate for sustainable education policies at the school and community levels, emphasizing the importance of cooperation and support from everyone in long-term changes throughout the society.

This iGEM project wasn’t only focused on scientific research and development, but it also used and included the SDGs as an operational framework. With Alyssa’s lead throughout the whole group, the team was able to combine research and policy awareness in the stages that they took - from problem identification, public assessment, to education, communication, future planning, and collaboration, among others.