Website, book fair and 'space kit'

In CNES/CSG's Communications department, the internal communication and information team develops ways to educate people about Space.  Its three main tools are the CNES/CSG website, the book and multimedia fair and the products and services of the Documentation and Information Centre (CDI).

The website in particular has a youth section where children can visit the launch base through a cartoon world guided by a character representing the Ariane launcher, consult an illustrated Space mini-dictionary to learn the key concepts of Space technology, or a micro-rocket workshop.  They can also test their knowledge with an entertaining quiz game.

In a different vein, CNES/CSG's regular participation at the book and multimedia fair held in Cayenne every two years has enabled it to strengthen ties with schools in French Guiana.  This collaboration began with the second fair, which was held in 1999.  At this event, a special facility for teachers was set up, to distribute documents on Space activities and bibliographies.  In 2003 this was extended to handing out Space kits to 142 schools in French Guiana.  Each kit, a kind of 'mini Space library' consists of books, magazines, CD-ROMs and other multimedia resources on Space activities and related issues.  In 2005 this operation continued with the distribution of kits to new schools in French Guiana as well as to some resource centres such as educational documentation centres.

Furthermore, at the last book fair teachers were presented with an exhibition entitled 'Questions about Space', consisting of 23 poster panels aimed at young people of 10 years and above.  Since then, this exhibition has regularly been loaned to schools as a teaching support or complement to an educational action project (PAE).  Since it became available in November 2005, the travelling exhibition has been from Saint-Georges de l'Oyapock to Saint-Laurent du Maroni, stopping off at Cayenne and Cacao on the way.

The book fair is also a chance for CNES to affirm its educational mission, by displaying publications to which it contributes intellectually and financially, as well as by promoting its educational initiatives.

The Documentation and Information Centre also offers documentary support to visiting students or teachers and responds to requests for information received by mail or internet.

Other activities undertaken by CNES/CSG to promote learning about Space include the occasional organisation of lectures on various subjects related to French and European Space activities, and sending engineers and technicians from the launch base to visit local schools.

This range of activities set up to encourage young peoples' interest in science and Space studies is only effective, however, if it responds closely to the needs of the education stakeholders.  The political resolve and the respective strategies of CNES and the Education Authority would all be in vain without the enthusiastic involvement of the teaching staff and a genuine interest in our approach and activities.  Henceforth, they can be assured of our availability, advice and welcome.