In France, just like in the UK, school kids have been deserting science in droves, so at the British Council we thought it was time to do something about it.
In 2005, with the help of funding from the European Commission, the British Council, organised a series of events where dynamic UK scientists were invited to French schools, to talk about what they do. Most of the visits also involved French scientists who are involved in collaborative projects with the UK researchers funded by our Alliance programme.
Working at the cutting edge of scientific research but speaking a language which young people understand, the aim of the scientists was to provide positive role models, and dispel negative perceptions, demonstrating that science can be both exciting and challenging.
It is not the first time that researchers have been asked to talk about their work to French school kids – but we reckon it was probably the first time that they have been asked to do so in English.
It was quite a challenge for both the scientists and the pupils. But, judging by the feedback received after each visit, the kids enjoyed the visit and their perception of researchers and scientific careers improved significantly . Another asset of the project was that pupils had the opportunity to speak English in a "real" context.
Encouraged by the results of this experience, and at the level of interest from schools we decided to organise another series of visits in each year with a new group of researchers, and we will continue to do so. In collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the regional education authorities, each researcher will be able to visit a school close to his French partner's workplace.
The selection of schools taking part in the project will be done by the Ministry of Education via the "Délégués aux Relations Européennes et Internationales et à la Coopération" (see listing http://www.education.gouv.fr/cid1013/un-relais-dans-les-academies-les-dareic.html ).
The volunteer researchers that participate in this programme come from Universities from the four different regions of the United Kingdom (England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland) and they are sometimes themselves from different countries. The accents and cultures met by the students are hence very diverse.
Each British researcher is invited to go to a school accompanied by their French counterpart to put forward the importance of international collaborations.
But if you are a headmaster or a teacher willing to take part, please contact science.schools@britishcouncil.fr for further information.
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