Overview of actions undertaken by Arts et Métiers staff and students.
In Angers and Lille, sparking children's interest in science and technology
The aim of the ASTEP forum (Support for Science and Technology in Primary Schools), which has been held in Angers for the past 12 years, is to spark the curiosity of primary school children and raise their awareness of science and technology.
As part of this initiative, in 2019 the campus welcomed150 children from five elementary school classesin grades 4 and 5. A varied program was offered: visits to technology platforms, discovery of the associative activities of Arts et Métiers students, presentation of work carried out by the children with engineering students from the campus (assembly of a wind turbine, creation of a volcano, programming of a ball circuit, assembly of an electrical circuit, etc.). These examples provide concrete illustrations of the applications of science and technology in everyday life.
The next edition will take place on Thursday, May 28, 2020!
This time in Lille,50first-year Arts et Métiers studentsvolunteered this year to take part in the La main à la pâte (Hands-on Science and Technology in Primary Schools) program. The aim is to introduce children to science in a lively and accessible way and, through active teaching methods, to promote understanding of the major challenges of the 21st century, living together and equal opportunities. The students act as science mentors in schools chosen on the basis of their social environment. The Lille campus has been participating in this program for over 20 years.
In Metz, Cluny, Paris, Aix-en-Provence, and Chambéry, actions for sustainable development
Stop using plastic cups has been the slogan on the Metz campus since 2019. This project was led by students with volunteer staff. They organized several awareness-raising events, with screenings and discussions of the film Demain, and posters explaining the benefits of this initiative and why people should use their own cups. These actions led to a significant reduction in cup consumption (at least 150 per week) and prompted a rethink of the vending machines.
The result: the installation of more environmentally friendly machines in the first half of 2020.
Similarly, in Cluny, teacher Corinne Nouveau set herself the goal ofrecycling the polystyrene cupsused in the campus coffee machines. She led a vocational project that resulted in the installation of new bins. The recycled cups will be used to make thermoforming plates for plastics engineering practical work and Arts et Métiers promotional activities.
Other examples in Paris include significant efforts to promoteselective sorting(green, yellow, and white bins) and thecollection of WEEE (wasteelectrical and electronic equipment), general waste, neon tubes, ink cartridges and toners, chemicals, etc. In addition, since 2017, the campus has been replacing light sources with LEDs and installing aerators to reduce water consumption.
Finally, in January 2020, the campus installedbeverage dispensers with renewable cups.
Similarly, the Aix campus is also installing new eco-friendly beverage dispensers. Staff and students have access to a wide range of hot and cold drinks. Hot drinks are served in recycled paper cups. Everyone can bring their own cup, if it fits the dispenser, or reuse the paper cup. This saves money and reduces consumption.
Chambéry, an institute focused on eco-innovation, is also stepping up its initiatives: in May, its staff set upplanters on one of the terraces, in which students sowed seeds and planted seedlings. The aim was to enhance an urban space while promoting biodiversity!
Staff also took part inthe Mobility Challenge inJune, using environmentally friendly modes of transport, which in most cases meant riding a bike! Finally, in December, a"100% recycled" Christmas treecompetitionwasorganized.
