School visits

Over the last few years, conscious of the need to adapt to the specific information requirements of schoolchildren, CNES/Guiana Space Centre has been organising visits to the launch base for children in primary and secondary schools in French Guiana, mainly on the initiative of their teachers and school librarians.

First the students’ eyes are opened by a visit to the launch base facilities.  This is an unrivalled chance to discover the world of science 'on the ground', to find out what really goes on behind the scenes of the Ariane adventure and to understand more about how the site operates, why we use launchers to send satellites into Space, the different phases of a launch, etc.

Organising a school visit is a serious educational process which is formalised with the teaching staff.  It must provide a tangible benefit to the acquisition of knowledge and if possible form part of an official educational action project (PAE).  Prior to the visit, the teacher must work out a project with the students: this is then used to define their requirements so that an à la carte visit can be prepared.

From the visits to the launch base and the Space Museum, teaching staff can select the presentations and exhibitions which are of greatest interest to them, knowing that the guides are trained to adapt their commentary to a variety of audiences.  The visits therefore become an interactive experience for the primary, secondary and further education students.

In 2005, CSG welcomed 5,900 children from schools in French Guiana, including 3,500 who visited the Space Museum.