Usually, the rotunda of the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago acts as a beautiful central space, teasing the museum’s different exhibits in all four directions. On October 13 and 14, 2024, however, it was filled with the sights of drivable crop robots, a giant DNA model, and live beehives; the smells of soil microbes; and the satisfying sounds of Plinko, drowned out only by enthusiastic scientific discussion. As one of the world’s largest science museums which welcomes thousands of visitors every day filled with scientific curiosity, Griffin MSI served as a premier venue to bring back the World of Genomics after a five-year hiatus.

Hosted by the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, World of Genomics offers a one-of-a-kind experience for people of all ages to engage directly with scientists and learn about the role of genomics in our everyday lives. “Sharing the biology of DNA and genomes in an institution as beloved as Griffin MSI was simultaneously a privilege and a fascinating challenge in science communication,” said IGB Assistant Director of Outreach, Claudia Lutz, who played a key role in bringing back this flagship outreach event.

The successful two-day exhibit reached over 5000 attendees who participated in activities, games, and demonstrations developed and facilitated by IGB’s researchers and staff. These activities were organized into six interactive stations inspired by IGB’s different research themes: Introduction to Genomics, Food and Fuel, Science and Society, Health and Humanity, Cybernetic Cells, and DNA to Drugs. 

“It was a joy to see families have fun engaging with what can feel like an obscure or intimidating area of science. To me it meant that our activities did what we hoped they would—connected new scientific ideas with materials, forms of play, and aspects of daily life that are inviting and familiar,” Lutz said.

Attendees enjoyed collecting stamps from each station to earn chances to play Plinko and win prizes like microbe keychains and science books. Feedback—gathered via notes stuffed into giant test tubes—was overwhelmingly positive and highlighted there was a fun activity to suit everyone’s interests. Some of the crowd favorites included controlling the robot dog and crop robots, examining plants’ stomata under microscopes, finding out their “Veggie Meter” scores, and observing insects up close. Many people also commented they learned something new during their visit and credited their interactions with IGB’s scientists.

Over 50 IGB researchers and staff worked the different stations and used their expertise to explain the science behind the activities with the visitors. “The activities were designed to engage both kids and adults,” said Abby Weber, a graduate student in evolution, ecology, and behavior. “My favorite moment was when I taught a child how muscles contract and relax using a wooden model that I made, and they later returned with their parents to explain it back to them.”

Putting on an event as large-scale as the World of Genomics truly took an IGB team effort. From development and careful logistical planning in Urbana to transporting a semi-trailer truck’s worth of equipment and actually running the event in Chicago, every office across IGB from the Outreach team to Core Facilities helped bring this event to life. World of Genomics was also made possible with the time and support of sponsors including ThermoFisher Scientific, Illumina, Zeiss, Abbvie, and Germin8 Ventures. 

To top off the successful weekend, an after-hours reception, sponsored by the IGB’s Catherine and Don Kleinmuntz Center for Genomics in Business and Society and the Kleinmuntz Family Foundation, was held to celebrate the return of World of Genomics and further explore the innovative potential of genomics research.

“I was delighted to see the World of Genomics program restarted after the pandemic-influenced hiatus, as it is one of our flagship programs in public engagement,” said IGB Director Gene Robinson. “The 2024 Griffin Museum of Science and Industry edition was spectacular, and we are deeply appreciative of the tremendous effort and creativity brought forth by IGB’s staff and researchers to make it such a success.”