Rouen. Floods, pollution of the Seine … Pupils sensitized during a boat trip
Through Margot Nicodemus
Published on
They are about thirty children to have been able to benefit from an “orphan” experience, understand which is taking place for the first time and of which it is not sure that it will be returned, to Rouen (Seine-Maritime), Tuesday 5 October. It’s about a stroll along the Lutèce, sightseeing boat moored on the right bank, organized by the environmental education service of the Rouen Normandy metropolitan area. From CM2 students of the Paul-Bert-Victor-Hugo school were thus able, during a trip on the Seine of about two hours, to be made aware of the risks presented by the river, between flooding and the pollution effects.
A model to illustrate the flooding phenomenon
The activities, supervised by three educators – Julie, Jean-Luc and Fabrice – took place in small groups, indoors and outdoors. First warm, while the rain was pouring, with a first workshop including photos illustrating several issues. “Why is fishing prohibited, as the sign shows? “; “Because the Seine is polluted! “; “And where does this pollution come from? “; “I know, it’s human! The discussions are fluid, the children are already well aware of the themes, and for good reason: they follow, in class, a year-round program linked to the course of the water.
The waste, the operation of the engines – including that of the Lutèce, as the remark is made! – factories… So many factors that contribute to the pollution reviewed, through fun activities. The model of a river and its banks, where we can inject more or less water to represent floods, being undoubtedly the most telling. How to prevent, then, the floods from ruining the surrounding landscape?
“On raising houses on the hills”, but also “the dikes”, a word which was unknown to some children. For Lyséane, it was the notion of “wastewater treatment plant” that was unfamiliar, but the playful walk helped to fix that.
When suddenly … an oil pollution
Outside, high up on the boat, the activity is visual. It is about “reading the landscape” of the Seine, on a route between the Saint-Gervais basin and Dieppedalle. The grain terminal, the floating dock, the Sainte-Barbe convent, the Flaubert pavilion… So many elements to locate, as you go, and to replace on a map using numbers. And of course, curiosity does the rest: “How deep is the Seine, Madame?” », Says Mohammed, 10 years like his comrades, to the uninformed journalist that I am. The opportunity to ask myself the question to the guide, Fabrice. “It depends on where you are, and the tides …” Hoping that the answer suits Mohammed, who indicates “to have already done the boat, with my father!” “
Sarah, Alya and Lyséane, for their part, are focused on succeeding in their mission: to identify an element of the scenery located on a map… You still have to look on the bright side. “Pssst, girls over here!” “; “Ah yes, there is the little house [de Flaubert] ! Well done Madam! Well, that was pretty straightforward.
On the return route, an involuntary scenario: the captain of the Lutèce notices “fuel pollution”, recognizable by the rainbow iridescence it leaves on the surface of the Seine. The reason, “a boat that degassed”, a maneuver that is strictly forbidden. Not enough to curb the enthusiasm of schoolchildren, however, who leave amazed by this instructive outing, and with educational tools. The maps of the banks of the Seine, in particular, are taken away by the teachers, just to revise … a little later.
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