We’d like to focus on the prize won by a class of 5th graders from Colmar’s College Pfeffel, which we sponsored in the science competition organised by the C’GENIAL foundation and the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research, “Sciences à l’école“.
THE ARDUINO CODING FAIR PROJECT
After two years’ work, the students submitted their Arduino-coded Kermesse project to the C’GENIAL competition. The game involves throwing balls into PVC pipes, or feeding peanuts to elephants. The simple Arduino coding system is a printed circuit on which a microprocessor (computer) is located to program electrical signals to carry out various tasks, such as counting balls.
To design it, the pupils acquired different skills in the physical sciences (sensors, actuators, central units, electrical circuits, etc.), mathematics with Scratch-based programming and technology to build the model and code it.
Aimed at young children, people with disabilities and the elderly, it gives them a chance to work on their motor skills and cognitive abilities. It has the dual aim of combating disability and learning through play. The prototype has already been tested by children from Colmar nursery and primary schools, as well as by elderly people from a care home, making it a great success.
A few weeks earlier, Pierre, a mechanical engineer at Siléane, had the opportunity to meet the students and test their automation project. He also presented Siléane, his job and some of our achievements. They were particularly interested in the search for solutions and the precision of our robots.
A PRIZE WON AT THIS 16th EDITION
This year’s C’GENIAL competition brought together 365 teams, involving almost 7,500 students, 51 of whom were selected to present their scientific and technical project at the next stage.
After taking first place in the regional selection last April, the pupils from Pfeffel secondary school presented their model at the national secondary school final, held on Wednesday May 31 in the Musée de l’Air et de l’Espace at Paris-Le Bourget airport.
More than 200 students and teachers took part in the final, presenting their original projects to the 69 members of the jury, made up of researchers, engineers, national education inspectors, teachers, journalists and partners. The chairman of the jury was Frédéric Restagno, director of research at the NCSR.
At the end of the day’s national final, 20 prizes were awarded. Pupils from Colmar secondary school won the “En vie de sciences” thematic prize, sponsored by BioMerieux Lyon, which enabled the 24 pupils to visit their showroom and manufacturing plant.
The event was hosted by Fred Courant and broadcast live on L’Esprit Sorcier TV and the CGENIAL Foundation’s Youtube channel.
We would like to congratulate the students for taking part in this national competition and for their excellent performance. Many thanks to the teachers who oversaw the project: Guillaume Kauffmann, Jean-Christophe Grimont and Philippe Besançon.
The aim of the competition is to highlight innovation and attract students, particularly women, to these forward-looking professions. We are delighted to have supported this wonderful project and hope that you will repeat this fine achievement in the years to come.