At the Espérance Banlieue de Mantes school, we play apprentice chemists
Make children love science in a fun way. This is the objective of the Espérance Banlieue school in Mantes-la-Jolie, which has just launched an innovative pedagogy for its students through the Kids’Lab laboratory.
The experiment began on Thursday, November 18 in partnership with theBASF company, the world leader in chemicals. The theme of the Kids’Lab, which is offered to schools aged 6 to 12, focuses on food balance and nutrition..
Chemistry within the reach of children
While Pierre Bedier, the president of the Yvelines departmental council, and Michel Vialay, the deputy for the district of Mantes-la-Jolie, followed the first steps of the children, Jean-Philippe Plasson of the BASF company detailed the project.
Children value food. Food speaks to them a lot. They work in groups and this method leads to reflection. This can encourage vocations to scientific professions.
Chemistry is therefore within the reach of children who do not shy away from their pleasure, especially since the experiments take place in class. The schoolchildren actually don the chemist’s outfit. Equipped with glasses and a researcher’s coat, they use test tubes to discover the properties and vitamins of fruits and vegetables.
The BASF company provides training for teachers in the use of Kids’Lab. It also donates laboratory equipment, educational materials and protective equipment.
Three Espérance Banlieue schools in Yvelines
Pierre Bedier started this initiative. But before entering the establishment, he witnessed the rise of the tricolor. He also sang the national anthem in chorus with the children. A ritual that takes place every day before class.
Congratulations. In your name I retain the pretty word Hope. In the suburbs, there is wealth, energy and diversity, your project promotes equal opportunities.
School Hope Suburbs “Cour la Boussole” of Mantes-la-Jolie welcomes 60 students from kindergarten to CM 2. Established in the Val-Fourré, it opened in 2016. Two others are also operating in the Yvelines at Poissy and Sartrouville.
The network matters 17 establishments in France. The model is based on personalized teaching methods with an important place for experimentation in order to give the desire and the joy to learn.