Scientific outreach: Institut Pasteur staff involved in the production of a teaching kit for primary and middle schools

Generating an interest in the future of research among younger generations, improving understanding of scientific issues and reaching out to society to help boost confidence in science are all challenges identified and supported by the Institut Pasteur, which has made this one of the priority areas of its 2019-2023 Strategic Plan.

Following on from the various fun educational projects already under way since the start of the year (see January 15 newsletter with A. Maure and "Sciences en Bulles"), a new initiative from the La main à la pâte foundation was launched in April with the support of the French Ministry of Culture and several Institut Pasteur scientists.

La main à la pâte is a laboratory for innovative ideas and practices which aims to improve the quality of science teaching in schools. It offers various resources for teachers in France and at international level to help them introduce their students to science in a dynamic, accessible way. With the support of the Ministry of Culture, the foundation has produced a special teaching kit entitled "Health, science and critical thinking," with the aim of providing students with the keys to understand the role of scientific knowledge in tackling disease outbreaks.

Three scientists from the Institut Pasteur (Arnaud Fontanet, Olivier Schwartz and Lulla Opatowski) worked on this project and shed new light on the challenges associated with the current epidemic by answering the questions of Nora, a highly inquisitive teenager. The interviews can be seen as part of a series of animated videos aimed at middle school students. Two other Institut Pasteur scientists, Philippe Sansonetti and Fernando Arenzana-Seisdedos, offered scientific guidance for the production of a cartoon strip aimed at students from the first year of primary school to the first year of middle school to help them understand the epidemic.

The full teaching kit is available online:

See the presentation page for the project and the videos

Read the press release