Institut de France, formal Session on Education under the Coupole,<\/strong>\u00a028 Octobre 2008<\/strong>. Pierre L\u00e9na, La science pour tous : illusion ou n\u00e9cessit\u00e9.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n Under the impetus of Georges Charpak, Nobel Prize laureate in Physics (1992), together with Yves Qu\u00e9r\u00e9, myself, and with the support of the French Academy of Sciences, La main \u00e0 la p\u00e2te<\/em> was created in 1995 to revive\u2014albeit in a transformed way\u2014the traditional \u201clesson of things\u201d in all primary schools across France. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Our goal was to respond to and stimulate children\u2019s curiosity about natural phenomena, guiding them through the first steps taken by any researcher in science: observing, questioning, experimenting, reflecting, sharing, and expressing themselves with precision. Tested in 344 classrooms, the initiative grew, bringing together primary school teachers who often discovered that science is not inaccessible\u2014neither for them nor for their students\u2014and who found enjoyment in exploring it through inquiry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2011, the Foundation La main \u00e0 la p\u00e2te <\/em><\/a>was established through the \u201cInvestments for the Future\u201d public program with the backing of Michel Rocard, former Prime Minister of France. With such continuous effort until 2026, natural sciences\u2014closely linked with mathematics and the practice of the French language\u2014are present, at least in some classrooms, from kindergarten through to the final year of primary school (CM2, i.e. Grade 5).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n Since the 1990s, various countries have been concerned with renewing their teaching of the natural sciences. When learning is too often reduced to notions to be memorized, miss contact with observation and experience, it does not feed the curiosity of young children, preparing them poorly for their future. After 1996, La main \u00e0 la p\u00e2te<\/em> exchanges and shares its resources<\/a>, finds partners in United States, Brazil, China… Often eminent scientists are heard by the educational authorities, help teachers to renew their practices and better understand the nature of the scientific process. From 2000 onwards, networks were organised in Europe, Latin America and South-East Asia. Supported by the InterAcademy Partnership<\/a> and science Academies, this educational ambition remains alive in 2026, while science continues to evolve, but also encounters unexpected obstacles, made up of contestations and doubts in societies.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n This Institute, issued from the Mus\u00e9e p\u00e9dagogique<\/em> (1878), was created in 1970 and inspired by the pedagogical movements of \u00ab\u00a0\u00e9ducation nouvelle\u00a0\u00bb (John Dewey). I chaired its Councils (1991-1997) with exceptional directors (F. Dugast, J.F. Botrel, A. Hussenet), and Annette Bon. By developing research, particularly in the history of education, and the preparation of PhDs, we have once again brought INRP closer to the pedagogy of the natural sciences, where he had shone. From 1997, the French Acad\u00e9mie des sciences associated the INRP with the program La main \u00e0 la p\u00e2te<\/em>. Becoming Institut fran\u00e7ais de l’\u00e9ducation and integrated into the \u00c9cole normale sup\u00e9rieure (Lyon) in 2011, the Institute continues its mission of research on the education system, and of support for its actors.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n<\/div> Work in progress for this page Lecture for Erasmus Medal 2005, Academia Europeae: Pierre L\u00e9na, From science to education: the need for a revolution. Institut de France, formal Session on Education under the Coupole,\u00a028 Octobre 2008. Pierre L\u00e9na, La science … Continuer la lecture School children and science<\/strong>, in France (1995-2026)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sites.lesia.obspm.fr\/pierre-lena\/files\/2026\/04\/Holbein-Ecole.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sites.lesia.obspm.fr\/pierre-lena\/files\/2026\/04\/LOGO_MAP.jpeg\"){kind=logo}
<\/figure>Children and science, throughout the world <\/strong>1996-today<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>The National Institute for Pedagogical Research INRP<\/strong> (1991-1997)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Sharing the marvels of the sky<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n