Fête de la Science 2024 at the Jardin des Plantes: an unusual and educational family visit

Published by Cécile de Sortiraparis, Laurent de Sortiraparis, Margot de Sortiraparis · Photos by My de Sortiraparis · Published on September 3, 2024 at 09:19 a.m.
For the Fête de la Science, the Jardin des Plantes welcomes you to its heart for a walk around chemistry, from October 11 to 13, 2024.

The Fête de la Science is also celebrated at the Jardin des Plantes! Curious visitors are invited to wander through the various buildings that surround this green Parisian setting. We look forward to seeing you on October 11, 12 and 13, 2023, to take part in the various workshops and activities organized for the 33rd Fête de la Science.

The Jardin des Plantes is no mere island of greenery in the 5th arrondissement of Paris. The garden belongs to the capital's Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle. As such, it is encircled by various scientific and educational buildings, dedicated to the different disciplines of science. It's a lively, family-friendly place, with greenhouses and a whole menagerie!

Meet up at the entrance to the Jardin des Plantes for a family walk around science. Bring rain boots or a cap, depending on the weather! And if you want to extend your visit for the Fête de la Science:

Fête de la Science 2022 à Paris et en Ile-de-FranceFête de la Science 2022 à Paris et en Ile-de-FranceFête de la Science 2022 à Paris et en Ile-de-FranceFête de la Science 2022 à Paris et en Ile-de-France Fête de la Science 2024 in Paris and Ile-de-France, free events to discover
The Fête des Sciences returns from October 4 to 14, 2024 for its 33rd edition! What's it all about? A week dedicated to scientific culture, with numerous free events all over France. Experiments, shows, open houses, visits and a host of workshops, open to all and adapted to children, await you in the four corners of Paris and the Île-de-France region! [Read more]

The Fête de la Science program at the Jardin des Plantes :

  • What does it mean to be a paleontologist today?
    October 11

    Students will be invited to question the reality of this often idealized profession. The researcher will present the various aspects of paleontology, the different working methods, the multitude of research subjects, tools and species studied... all while interacting with the students. The program can be adapted to suit the age of the students.



  • The movements of an aquatic animal
    October 11 - 13

    The program includes X-rays, high-speed cameras and particle imaging laser velocimetry.



  • Discovering marine genomes
    October 11

    The workshop is based on the ATLASea research program, which aims to obtain reference genomes for 4,500 marine species.
    After an introduction to the aim of the workshop, students are divided into small groups and manipulate DNA fragments (Duplo support) to reconstruct a piece of theoretical genome themselves. Using additional elements, the groups then pool their genome fragments to form a complete genome.



  • Birth and life of the oceans
    October 11 - 13

    An opportunity to observe samples of oceanic crust and marine sedimentary rocks and their fossils.



  • Source of know-how: the Ocean
    October 11 - 13

    From adapting to an ecosystem to building your own skeleton...



  • From plants to animals: where do proteins come from? Proteins in food
    October 11

    After an animated presentation on proteins, students can carry out an experiment on cow's milk or soy proteins, and observe protein-rich algae under the microscope.



  • Casting and paleontology
    October 11 - 13

    And learn about paleontology.



  • Endocrine disruptors: measuring the impact of their effects on health and the environment
    October 11

    After an interactive lecture presenting the origin and effects of endocrine disruptors, and the detection methods developed in the laboratory (fluorescent tadpoles), students can try to decipher the presence or absence of endocrine disruptors in everyday consumer items.



  • Little explorers revisit the planet
    October 11 - 13

    She's counting on you to set up the sampling protocol, handle the sample processing phase, as well as the difficult task of identifying the specimens. What are your conclusions?



  • Animal embryonic development
    October 11

    The animation begins with a timeline showing human embryonic development. Students will then learn about the embryonic development of other animals, and compare how certain elements of the body of different species (human, mouse, chicken, fish) are formed up to birth.



  • Manuscripts: color, ink and parchment
    October 11 - 13

    On the program: penmanship and illumination...



  • Urban biodiversity: rats in Paris
    October 11 - 13



    The city rat, also known as the brown rat, leaves no one indifferent: it either frightens us or we adore it. Yet they're an integral part of urban biodiversity. It is one of the most abundant species living in urbanized habitats, but also one of the least studied in such environments. The workshop will present an ongoing research project combining urban ecology, genetics, epidemiology, social survey and scientific mediation to study brown rat populations in the city of Paris, introduce the general public to this little-known species and encourage a better perception of rats in society.



  • How are drugs invented?
    October 12

    Pills, syrups and various pills fill our medicine drawers, but how do researchers develop these remedies?
    Free admission



  • From spore to seed
    October 12 - 13

    The Museum's botanists await you for a special presentation and to answer all your questions!



  • Discovering tardigrades
    October 12 - 13

    This is your chance to observe specimens under the microscope and ask the species specialists all your questions!




  • One leg, one middle
    October 12 - 13

    Handle skeletons to learn about mammalian adaptation to locomotion.



  • An ocean of knowledge at the Museum
    October 12

    And meet the scientists who have contributed to the construction and transmission of knowledge in several disciplines.



  • Mission manchots
    October 12 - 13

    Find out how the Park's caretakers look after this species and how it is studied from Paris.



  • Splash in the water!
    October 12 - 13

    Discover the diversity of aquatic animals and their special characteristics.



  • Graineterie open house
    October 12 - 13


    It contains one of the finest collections of fruit and seeds in France and Europe.






  • Visit the Herbarium
    October 12 - 13

    An opportunity to find out a little more about the research activities carried out here and the associated professions.



  • Soil-building organisms
    October 12 - 13

    Sowbugs, ants, millipedes, earthworms... Soil fauna is as diverse and astonishing as it is little-known. Yet they play an essential role in the services provided by soils: fertility, carbon storage, regulation of pest species, water filtration...
    Accompanied by a specialist, discover this crucial biodiversity through the QUBS program (for QUalité Biologique des Sols), which offers participatory scientific protocols accessible to all.



  • Chemistry at the Museum: a journey through time
    October 12 - 13

    Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of a 19th-century laboratory and slip into the shoes of a pupil of the famous chemist Michel-Eugène Chevreul during a dramatized visit.



  • How can we grasp the infinitely small?
    October 12 - 13

    Discover the greatness of the infinitely small: from the atom to the human being.



  • Plankton under the microscope
    October 12 - 13

    Come and observe and learn how to recognize samples using the Curiosity microscope.



  • Participatory science on land and sea
    October 12 - 13

    Discover tools for observing and understanding seaside and garden ecosystems.



  • How and why rewrite genomes?
    October 13

    Find out more about their applications.



  • From cinema to plants
    October 13

    An opportunity to explore the principle of animated film and discover a palette of colors derived from plants.
    The final workshop will be followed by a screening of the results.
    With artist Emmanuelle Nègre.



How about a trip to the Jardin des Plantes this weekend, folks?

Practical information

Dates and Opening Time
On October 13, 2024

× Approximate opening times: to confirm opening times, please contact the establishment.

    Location

    Place Valhubert
    75005 Paris 5

    Route planner

    Accessibility info

    Prices
    Free

    Official website
    www.jardindesplantesdeparis.fr

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