By Olasunkanmi Arowolo
Conferences are known for their packed schedules, intense debates, and networking marathons. But sometimes, it is the seemingly ordinary moments; the casual conversations and icebreaker games that leave you with the lessons that linger.
At the PCST 2025 Pre-Conference Workshops this week, I encountered one of those moments.
The day was already a whirlwind of ideas. We opened with thought-provoking presentations and small group brainstorming on AI in Science Communication Teaching, led by Dr Andy Ridgway. A critical question took centre stage: How do we responsibly integrate AI into education?
While many were eager to jump into applications and tools, I made a case for stepping back. Before embedding AI in our teaching practices, we need to first understand the Large Language Models (LLMs) driving them. What are their frameworks? Their intents? Their limitations? How might these influence the classroom experience, reinforce existing biases, or shape student perspectives?
Only when we have clarity on these foundations can we meaningfully teach students how to engineer prompts, leverage AI effectively, and engage with technology ethically.
The conversations that followed were as diverse as they were insightful. From universities embracing AI’s possibilities to others drawing firm lines against its use in academic work.
Then, in the afternoon, the focus shifted. We explored the craft of constructive journalism in science communication with Anna Gaul and Bernhard Goodwin. They introduced a six-part framework for creating impactful, meaningful science content: Solutions, Outlook, Empowerment, Context, Diversity, and Co-creation.
It was a timely reminder that beyond reporting facts, our role as communicators is to empower audiences, broaden perspectives, and co-create meaning with the communities we serve.
And then came the bingo.
A lighthearted Get-to-Know-You Bingo game was thrown in to end the day. The rules were simple: find people who matched quirky facts on your card — from “I’ve never seen snow” to “My favourite colour is white.”
Like everyone else, I began by focusing on my card, my boxes, and my progress. But midway, something shifted. Instead of asking “Who can help me?” I started asking, “Which one are you looking for? Let’s see if we can find it together.”
And something remarkable happened: I made faster, more meaningful connections; I completed more boxes; and in helping others tick off theirs, I inadvertently filled mine too. And guess what, I was one of the three winners, despite having one box left, given that no one in the room had ever seen snow (that I couldn’t find any invalidated the question).
It was a small moment, but it landed a big truth.
In professional spaces — whether discussing AI frameworks, building communication campaigns, or playing a simple game — the principle holds: It’s not about you; even what you need isn’t really about you. Always remember this truth: the fastest way to get what you want is by helping others get what they need. That’s not just good networking advice; it’s a life principle. I was reminded of Dale Carnegie’s wisdom from How to Win Friends and Influence People:
“You can make more friends in two months by becoming genuinely interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get people interested in you.”
The takeaway is clear: whether you’re in a conference hall, a classroom, or a casual conversation, lead with curiosity about others. Ask, “How can I help?” Offer a solution. Co-create value. The dividends of that mindset extend far beyond ticked bingo boxes.
As I look forward to more unexpected lessons, I’m holding onto what this get-to-know-you bingo lesson offers me. The most meaningful wins aren’t always the ones you chase for yourself. They’re often the ones you collect while helping others succeed. And perhaps that’s the real point of conferences after all.
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