World Championship Jamboree/Handbook

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Pre-Jamboree

Jamboree Registration

Registration for the iGEM 2011 World Championship Jamboree is due on October 28th. A Jamboree attendance fee of $225.00 USD is required for each undergraduate or high school student and $425.00 USD for all instructors, grad students, advisors, and other attendees. Registration after October 28 will increase $50.00. Head to the [http://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?EventID=1020532 registration page]] to find out more details on how to register.

Project Abstract

In order to provide others with a summary of what your project is about, we asked each iGEM team to submit an abstract of 100-150 words along with your project title (maximum 15 words) by September 2nd. Your abstracts were used in the Regional Jamboree programs that provided a guide to the different topics that iGEM teams were be presenting. If you have made any changes to your project abstract or title since the Regional Jamboree you will need to resubmit it to iGEM HQ before October 28th. Please see the project abstract page for more details.

Visa Letters

In previous years there were several teams that were not able to attend the Jamboree due to visa problems. In order to avoid a similar problem this year, we asked that all teams apply for visas by June 1 at the latest. If you need to apply for a visa to come to the Jamboree, you can use our online form and print out an official invitation letter.

iGEM Headquarters does not have any authority over consulate offices or the visa application process. The only way to have the highest chance of obtaining a visa is to apply early. If you do not yet know who will be attending the Jamboree in November, err on the side of caution and have all members apply for a visa.

Documentation

Project: According to the iGEM requirements, each iGEM team's project should be documented on the iGEM 2011 wiki site with enough detail to replicate it independently. Additional presentational information about the team - their story, the rationale for the project, failures, successes, future work, etc. - is highly encouraged. Remember that these wiki pages will be the main source of inspiration for future teams, and having good documentation on them and in the part description in the Registry increases the likelihood of more teams building on your project and your parts. What is considered proper documentation is decided by the judging committee and you can find details about proper documentation at the Judging page.

Parts: iGEM requirements also state that all teams must properly document their parts on the [http://partsregistry.org Registry]. The judging committee also decides what is considered proper part documentation. See the Judging page for details. Remember, the success of not just iGEM, but all of synthetic biology, depends on the development of well-characterized, reliable, standardized biological parts that have been designed to be simple to use and understand.

DNA Submissions

iGEM teams are expected to submit their parts to the [http://partsregistry.org Registry of Standard Biological Parts]. There have been changes to the submission process this year, namely pSB1C3 as a standard backbone for submissions, so please take a look at the submissions page linked below. In addition to submitting your parts, you must also declare which of your parts are "favorites." Judges will only be looking at favorite parts so make sure to promote them before the October 27th deadline.

See the DNA submission requirements for more information about the DNA submission process.

Judging Form

Teams will be required to submit a judging form that outlines their accomplishments according to the judging criteria. Judging forms will be available online at the beginning of October, and will be due on October 27th.

Wiki Freeze

iGEM 2010 team wikis will be frozen on Wednesday, October 27 at 11:59 EDT. See the wiki freeze page for more details.

Poster Requirements

There will be two poster sessions at the iGEM 2011 World Championship Jamboree. Each team will be assigned to ONE of the two poster sessions. Locations will be assigned at random prior to your arrival at the Jamboree. You will be required to put up your poster by 9am on the day of your session. Posters shall be NO LARGER than 48 inches by 48 inches (1.22m x 1.22m). Each team may only put up ONE poster.

For details on poster judging see the judging page. Keep in mind that the poster must be able to convey your team's project fully. It should be able to be judged without any external information or input from team members.

iGEM HQ will be asking for a copy of your poster in pdf format for our files. An iGEM volunteer will collect the pdf version of your poster at the beginning of your scheduled presentation session.

Presentation Requirements

Each registered iGEM team is to make a 20-minute presentation, followed by 5 minutes of questions/answer session. A laptop will NOT be provided to your team -- please make sure you bring your own laptop from which to display your presentation as well as any necessary accessories to connect the laptop to a projector cable.

iGEM HQ will also be asking for a copy of your presentation in pdf format for our files. An iGEM volunteer will collect the pdf version of your presentation at the beginning of your scheduled presentation session.

General Release Form

The 2011 iGEM World Championship Jamboree will be a multimedia event: in addition to the team presentation videos that will be uploaded online, we will also be uploading photos and videos from the entire event so others can get an idea of what iGEM and the Jamboree is like. In order to comply with the law, every person attending the World Championship Jamboree must fill out this general release form. All participants attending the Jamboree must print, fill out, and bring a general release form with you to the Jamboree. When teams check-in during the Jamboree, they will need to have their general release forms ready.

Go to the Release form page for an online and pdf version of the form.

Hotels

iGEM does not provide travel or housing for any iGEM members. Participants are required to make their own travel and lodging arrangements. However, we have arranged for iGEM room blocks with special pricing at nearby hotels. All iGEM Block rooms are available on a first-come, first-serve basis so it is recommended that you make your reservations early.

Guests

Guests, family, and friends are welcome to come to the World Championship Jamboree. Each must register and pay the Jamboree attendance fee. There will be registration on site for last minute attendees but note that there is a $50 fee increase after October 28th.

As space is limited in presentation rooms and at the awards ceremony, preference will be given to iGEM team members. Extra seating will be available on a space available basis. Payment of the Jamboree attendance fee does not guarantee a seat in presentation rooms or at the awards ceremony.

Volunteer

There will be many opportunities to volunteer at the Jamboree. We would especially like to encourage past iGEM participants (iGEM alums) to volunteer to help during the Jamboree. Head to the Volunteer page to find out more information.

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During the Jamboree

Welcome to the iGEM 2011 World Championship Jamboree! The next few days will be full of exciting presentations, stimulating conversations, well-deserved awards, and most of all, a lot of fun. The following information will guide you through the whole World Championship Jamboree event from what to expect at Friday night practice all the way up to the awards ceremony on Monday. Please read through this whole guide! It contains useful instructions and information that will ensure your Jamboree experience will go as smoothly as possible. And as a special note to team leaders, you will have some extra responsibilities so please make sure you are aware of what you are expected to do.

Note: For all locations on the MIT campus – Stata Center, Lobby 13, Walker Memorial, and other event locations, consult the map in your registration packet.

Questions and Information

If you have a question or need help at any point during the Jamboree, you can visit the information center at Compton Lounge, the iGEM Headquarters table in the Stata Center, or look for one of the iGEM staff members on site.

Schedule

We've prepared our general schedule and a more detailed one will be posted closer to the Jamboree.

Registration

Teams can check-in on Friday afternoon (November 4th) for the Jamboree beginning at 1pm. Registration will be located at Compton Lounge.

At Registration you will pick up your team box containing team member badges, participation certificates, registration packets, lunch tickets, and other important and useful information. Each team leader will be responsible for picking up the team box. This means that each member of the team DOES NOT have to stand in line at Registration. Important: in order to pick up your team box, you will be required to turn in all general release forms for each person that is on your team roster. The release forms are absolutely necessary (see section on release forms below). Registration personnel will check off each release form for each team member. Badge(s) pertaining to each person missing a release form will be held at Registration until the form has been turned in. Badges will be necessary for entrance into presentation rooms, events, and for access to food.

Guests can check-in on Friday (November 4th) at 1pm, also at Compton Lounge. If you did not register online, it will be possible to register on-site during the course of the Jamboree. Registration at this time will cost $275 for undergraduates and high school students, and $475 for everyone else. On Monday, however, on-site registration will take place at Kresge Auditorium.

Badges

You will receive your name badge as part of your team box, as long as you have submitted your general release form. Please wear your badge at all times during the Jamboree and make sure it is clearly visible. Badges will be necessary for entrance into presentation rooms, for access to food, and for the iGEM social event. If you do not have a badge, you must register in order to obtain one.

General Release

The 2011 iGEM World Championship Jamboree will be a multimedia event: in addition to the team presentation videos that will be uploaded online, we will also be uploading photos and videos from the entire event so others can get an idea of what iGEM and the Jamboree is like. In order to comply with the law, all participants attending the Jamboree must print, fill out, and bring a general release form with them to the Jamboree. Note: Team leaders, you must have a filled-out general release form for each member of your team that is on the official roster before you can pick up your team member badges and team box. There will also be blank copies available at registration for you to fill out if you need another copy. If you have any questions or need further clarification, feel free to ask an iGEM staff member.

Go to the Release form page for an online and pdf version of the form.

Team Leaders

As mentioned above, team leaders have a few responsibilities. Each team leader (or a designated representative) will be responsible for gathering all team member general release forms and handing them in at Check-in in order to obtain your team box. Team leaders are responsible for making sure individual team members receive the materials in the box. On Monday at Kresge Auditorium, team leaders will pickup their team medals after the awards ceremony.

Team Boxes

Your team box will contain the following:

• Team member badges
• Map of iGEM events
• Team member certificates
• Jamboree Handbook
• Program & Schedule
• Team-Specific Information
• Lunch Tickets
• iGEM 2011 Social Event Info
• Internet Connection Instructions
• Sponsor Information
• Other Information
• iGEM 2012 Info

Notes: Team leaders are responsible for picking up team boxes and ensuring individual team members receive the necessary materials. Badges are to be worn at all times.

Team Spirit

At the Jamboree you will be representing your team, university, and country, so why not show off! Designing team t-shirts is always a good idea, and here at iGEM HQ we encourage you to wear them. They also make for a particularly nice iGEM from Above photograph as well. Wear your school colors, your team's name, or give a nod to your team's sponsors. We also encourage you to find new ways to showcase your team spirit.

Friday Night Practice

Teams will be allowed to practice on Friday night (November 4th) at MIT, beginning at 6:00pm. You can practice your presentation, and get to know fellow iGEM members. There are a limited number of rooms available, so please sign up online on the Practice sessions page to reserve your time-slot. Practice sessions will run from 6:00pm to 10:00pm, and there will also be pizza and soda provided on a first come, first serve basis. We cannot match the practice room with the room that you will give your presentation in on Saturday or Sunday. Note: there will not be technical staff on hand to help with audio/visual equipment. Please leave all presentation rooms in the condition that you found them.

Saturday Opening Ceremony

The Saturday Opening Ceremony will officially kick off the 2011 Jamboree! The opening ceremony will be held at Kresge Auditorium at 9:00am on November 5th, with breakfast starting at 8:00am. Be sure to attend as we will also update you with any new changes to the Jamboree and the events planned for the next few days.