This text is part of the special notebook 150 years of Polytechnique Montréal
Since 1991, Polytechnique Montréal students have led workshops, clubs and camps scientists aimed at young people in the greater Montreal region and elsewhere thanks to Folie technique. The organization particularly tries to arouse the interest of girls, young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and indigenous communities.
“We call it scientific awakening,” explains Julie Doucet Lamoureux, presenting the organization’s mission. Science is often a pet peeve in schools. Primary school teachers are often generalists; science is sometimes something they are less comfortable with. We come to compensate. We are going to do interactive activities, in the form of games, to encourage [aux enfants] to do science. »
“We know that scientists will answer the societal and environmental questions of tomorrow,” recalls the general director of Folie technique, emphasizing the importance of arousing the interest of the next generations in science. “Hiring students allows them to develop extension skills,” notes M.me Doucet Lamoureux. But above all, these facilitators aged around twenty often constitute excellent models for young people, who identify more easily with them and their journey. »
Over the past year, nearly 55 facilitators were hired by the organization created 32 years ago on the initiative of students from Polytechnique Montréal, making it possible to reach nearly 10,000 young people in Quebec. Nearly half of the animation team is made up of young women — all role models for girls who might dream of studying in traditionally male fields.
And this type of effort is bearing fruit, notes Mme Doucet Lamoureux, recalling the increase in the registration and graduation rate of young women in engineering at Polytechnique Montréal. With the same approach, the organization now hopes to see an increase in the proportion of Indigenous and Inuit students in science programs.
Promoting science in Nunavik
During a two-week science camp last summer, young people from Kuujjuarapik, a northern village in Nunavik, were able to create rockets with baking soda and water, build electrical circuits, or even be introduced to programming and virtual reality.
“I think camps like this are extremely important; it breaks these ideas that science is too complicated, too difficult,” says electrical engineering graduate Manuel Klaassen. The latter was one of the facilitators of the camps that were offered in different communities in Nunavik. “For each activity, there were certain children who were more passionate, it allowed them to see what they could do. »
The organization could well renew its camp offering next summer thanks to partnerships in Nunavik, rejoices Julie Doucet Lamoureux. Whether in the mainland or in the North, the message of Folie technique remains the same: everyone can do science.
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