Fête de la science 2022

Children and adults alike can take part in numerous interactive experiments specially designed by members of the ChADoC association, visit a biology laboratory and discover the Champollion exhibition  1822.

Discover the many disciplines and fields for which the Collège de France is renowned at : cold atom physics, social anthropology, energy storage, oncology and much more.

The Collège de France gift store will also be open to the public.

Created in 1991, the Fête de la science is organized every year by the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research, to enable everyone to discover the world of science and meet the men and women who make up today's science.

On the program :

1. Visit to a laboratory specializing in the fight against cancer : an opportunity to plunge into the daily life of a young researcher and discover this profession in an immersive way. Prior registration required
   
2. Special opening of the Champollion 1822 exhibition from 10 h to 17 h. Three guided tours of the exhibition are scheduled at 11 h, 14 h and 16 h. Prior registration required.
   
3. A dozen interactive workshops featuring simple experiments on fundamental research in neurology, molecular biology, quantum physics and anthropology carried out at the Collège de France, open all day without registration
   • Neuro-control : come and discover neuro-control, a man-machine interface for transmitting nervous information between two people, and discover the foundations of motor control. Come and chat with students about neuroscience : the discipline that studies the nervous system !
   • DNA : decoding life and understanding disease : the study of DNA has led to major advances in many fields of research. Come and discover how this strange molecule is helping to advance research into neuropathies.
   • Bacteria : the invisible world around us ! Bacteria are often perceived as unfriendly, yet they are indispensable in the manufacture of our food and in protecting our skin. Come and take a closer look at these micro-organisms in all their forms.
   • Arsenic against leukemia : APL (acute promyelocytic leukemia) is the first example of leukemia cured by targeted therapy. Come and discover the story behind the development of the therapy that has now made it possible to eradicate this pathology, and its applications to new cancers !
   • Astrocytes, the stars of the brain : astrocytes, less well known than neurons, are the most abundant cells in the brain. They take the form of magnificent star-shaped cells. Come and observe them in different brain regions with our microscopes !
   • Batteries : present in most of our devices, they often go unnoticed despite their place in our daily lives. Thanks to this workshop, you'll finally understand how batteries work, and how their development is one of the key areas of research at the Institute of Chemistry.
   • Electrochemistry and pH : among the magnitudes that can define matter, pH is that which characterizes the acidity of a solution. By mixing different solutions, it is possible to modify their pH and highlight their evolution using visual indicators.
   • Fog chamber : every second, thousands of billions of cosmic particles, invisible to the naked eye, pass through us without us realizing it. However, it is possible to observe certain traces of their passage in real time thanks to a very special vessel : a fog chamber.
   • Laser and fiber optics : mastering light is one of the greatest advances of our time. Long used for lighting, today it's an essential component in telecommunications, medicine, industry and fundamental research. Come and discover a very special kind of light, the laser, at the heart of quantum physics experiments carried out at the Institut de Physique du Collège de France.
   • Meissner effect : magnetic levitation. Quantum physics allows us to describe some surprising and counter-intuitive phenomena. Under very specific conditions, objects known as superconductors can levitate despite their mass. Cooled to below -100°C using liquid nitrogen, come and see how a disc can ride on magnets !
   • Digital physics : Among the many different approaches to the natural sciences, one in particular has undergone spectacular development in recent years: digital physics. With a computer, it is possible to simulate the behavior of often inaccessible systems, every parameter of which can be controlled. In this way, we can study their influence and visualize the consequences of their modifications on a screen.
   • Anthropology of life : There is currently no agreed definition of life. However, human groups have clear-cut opinions on the subject, whether in Western science laboratories or in traditional Mesoamerican societies. Come and discover the work of the Anthropology of Life team, which analyzes human conceptions of life across time and place !