We understand how easy it is to get stuck on the path to a biological career due to the way biological and chemical sciences are taught in school. Covering topics in a strict chronological order, one after another, within a rigid curriculum can discourage even the most engaged students. We want to show that learning can be different!

Symbioza Umysłów is an interdisciplinary biotechnology competition that allows students to explore cutting-edge research areas in an innovative way.

We invite high school students to create a project on one of five proposed topics in any format—from a film or podcast to a seminar, online panel, game, article, or even a comic. We value creativity, engaging storytelling, accuracy, and the ability to incorporate the latest scientific sources.

The idea for Symbioza Umysłów was born in 2021 – since then two editions of the competition were organised. The recent one, held in 2023, attracted 54 teams, totaling 75 high school students, who worked on projects related to five key topics:

• The Many Faces of RNA – How can an unassuming molecule change the world?
• Biotechnology as a Part of a Circular Economy
• Biohacking – A Threat or the Democratization of Science?
• When Biotechnology Meets Artificial Intelligence – AI in the Service of Science
• Biotechnology in Forensics – Making the Impossible Possible

The results were announced during a virtual awards ceremony, which featured special guest lectures by dr. Agata Kurzyk — an oncologist, cellist, and science communicator, and Igor Kaczmarczyk from Jagiellonian University — a finalist of Forbes 25under25.