Born from a collaboration between the University of Angers and the Les Petits Débrouillards association, the book “Comme au labo” offers 50 experiences accessible to the youngest, portraits of research actors, and a central reflective notebook on the relationship between science and society. Published by the Presses universitaire de Rennes, the illustrated work has been available since January 2, 2025.
Can you make a battery using lemons? Is it possible to extract DNA from a banana? Do people look at a child the same way, whether it is a boy or a girl? So many puzzles that young people will be able to solve thanks to “Comme au la labo”. The book intended for 8-12 year olds offers some 50 experiments, activities and investigations to carry out at home, at school or in a leisure center, with everyday objects and ingredients. From a glass, a fork and a few ice cubes, it becomes, for example, easy to understand the effects of global warming and melting ice…
Alongside each activity, readers can discover the portrait of 15 women and 10 men who contribute, at their level, to the advancement of research: researchers, of course, but also students, doctoral students, engineers or staff. laboratory support. “There was a desire to show the diversity of sciences, in the disciplines, but also in the careers of those who do it,” indicates Julie Penaud, representative of the Maine-et-Loire branch of the popular education and scientific culture association Les Petits Débrouillards.
The book provides insight into the themes explored by Angevin research units, with a wide range of disciplines. Throughout the 80 pages illustrated by Loïc Jombart (Empreinte Studio), it is as much about biology and health, computer science, maths, as history and geography…
The book also offers adults the opportunity to question our relationship with science. What common points do the different scientific disciplines have in common? What roles do they have in the face of contemporary challenges, such as climate change? How does search work? These are some of the questions addressed in a central notebook which gives voice to the university community, associations and children.
A collaborative project
“Through this book, we wish to introduce people to science, restore confidence in science, ensure that it (re)becomes a citizen, and that it is beneficial to all,” explains David Bigaud, vice-president of theUAin charge of Valorization, Innovation and Partnerships.
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Part of the team involved met at the Faculty of Sciences for the presentation of the book. The opportunity for Christelle Gautier to prove that it is possible to light an LED from coins and lemons.The project was born under the previous university mandate, and was for a long time carried out by the counterparts of David Bigaud, Pascal Richomme and Philippe Simoneau. It emerged on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of theUAin 2021. “It’s Hélène Howa, researcher at theUA and member of the board of directors of Petits Débrouillards, who proposed this idea to us, recalls Laurent Bordet, Vice-President of Campus Life, involved since the start of the adventure. And that quickly won us over.” “It is with great emotion that we see this work come to fruition after more than 3 years of efforts,” confides Pierre Sersiron, who coordinated the work for Les Petits Débrouillards.
Many partners and funders were involved (Region, MSA 49, Academy, CAF, Inrae, Enjeu pole[x]Fondation UA). “Comme au la labo” was designed in conjunction with the National Education services, which validated the educational content.
Published by the Presses universitaire de Rennes (PUR), the work has been available for sale since January 2, 2025, at the price of 18 euros. It will also be distributed free of charge in some 350 public elementary schools in Maine-et-Loire, accompanied by a guide, so that teachers can use it and integrate experiences related to the program. Awareness raising sessions in rural areas, with leisure center educators in particular, are also planned for 2025.
Order the book on the PUR website
