To include more people in the development of synthetic biology, we decided to contact the Fondation de la Maison de la Rivière, located in Tolochenaz (Canton Vaud, Switzerland). The Maison de la Rivière Foundation allows the study of aquatic ecosystems, their preservation and protection. Through the many activities offered, such as training in animal experimentation, electric fishing courses, obtaining the Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) HES-SO on European freshwater fish or more biodiversity training, the foundation allows the study and scientific research of aquatic ecosystems and local species. HES-SO is the elargest Swiss university of applied sciences in Switzerland. In addition, the Maison de la Rivière Foundation has permanent and temporary exhibitions related to the biodiversity of Lake Geneva and the environmental problems that impact it. Each year, nearly 8,000 school children visit the museum. It is an important place where scientists, academics and citizens can discuss and learn.

Thus, we took the initiative to collaborate with this foundation, sharing the same values, the love for nature and the transmission to the youngest with us. Therefore, for their next temporary exhibition, in November 2022, we would like to make the impact of quagga mussels as an invasive species in Swiss freshwaters and how synthetic biology can solve this problem known to general audiences. This public consists mainly of young children and teenagers but also of adult parents and the teaching staff accompanying them. This collaborative project called “Around Freshwater - Invasive Species” will deal with invasive species that live in or around freshwater. Different portraits of invasive species have been made to present to adolescents and adults (Figure 1).

This exhibition aims to create a dialogue between visitors using various media. Therefore, in addition to this project, we have also produced a science popularization book for children aged 8 to 10, not only for school programs but also for children who visit the exhibition at Maison de la Rivière with their families. Thus, this science book for children, bearing the title of our project “Quagg’out”, mainly discusses synthetic biology and invasive species. In this book, we highlighted the negative impacts associated with introducing invasive species, whether voluntary or not. We have focused on interesting invasive species, especially those in Switzerland. Our activity book “Quagg’out” includes some concepts in environmental biology and synthetic biology delivered as games, crosswords, drawings and puzzles to make learning fun, simple and easy to understand (Figure 2).

By producing our book, we mainly aspire to reach our target audience: children. We believe that children are the future of our society. At this age we are the most curious and it is at this period of our life that our interests begin to develop. At this age, one wants to be an astronaut, the other wants to be a school teacher; and maybe among them is hiding a future biologist who, like us, will participate in iGEM to improve the environment in which we live and grow. However, beyond this audience, we also aim to communicate our interest and the importance of our biodiversity to the greatest, whether it is the teaching staff, parents or a family member curious to discover more about synthetic biology and invasive species. To reach an even larger audience, we have made versions of “Quagg’out” available in French, English and Italian because our goal is to transmit our knowledge and project to the general public.