EVENTS OF THE MONTH
Resources, Waste & Sustainability – 4ème
All 4ème students took part in a day exploring resource and waste management. Depending on the group, they visited local infrastructure including Verbois, Châtillon, the Cheneviers wasteto-energy plant, a wastewater treatment facility, or a tyre recycling centre of Pneus Claude. Combined with a Climate or Circular Economy “fresque”, the visits gave students a very concrete look at our consumption habits… and what actually happens after we close the bin.
Geology in the Real World – 5ème
Over the past two weeks, all 5ème classes headed into the field around Chamonix, visiting the Gorges de la Diosaz, a working quarry, collecting river samples, and observing the glacier. A chance to see erosion, sediment transport, and rock extraction beyond the textbook. Rocks have rarely received quite so much attention.
CSI Florimont – IBDP Collaborative Science Project
First year IBDP students began their programme by diving straight into their Collaborative Science Project: two days to investigate a particularly suspicious crime scene in the Science Department. Working in teams, they combined techniques from different branches of science and followed multiple lines of evidence to identify the culprit — a great way to work together and welcome new students into the programme. The verdict? Almost every group accused the wrong suspect… Luckily, they are not working for CSI just yet!
CLASSROOM HIGHLIGHTS
From Fusion to Hydropower – Terminale OS PAM
Terminale OS Physique students explored several approaches to energy production: the TCV tokamak and CROCUS reactor at EPFL, a wind turbine in Martigny, and the impressive Grande Dixence dam. With fusion, fission, wind, hydropower and final poster presentations all on the programme, it was an appropriately highenergy trip
Ecology in the Field – Terminale OS BioChimie
Terminale OS Biologie students went to Vallorcine to collect ecological data in the field and explore concepts in ecology and evolution with a nature guide at the Chalet du Col des Montets. New this year, camera traps captured deer, roe deer and foxes roaming at night. Apparently, while the students slept, the wildlife carried on with the fieldwork!
Hydrolysis & Condensation: Cards on the Table – 1IB Biology
1IB Biology students explored the hydrolysis and condensation of disaccharides through a card game created by our own IB Biology team. Monomers, substrates and products had to be matched correctly to build complete reactions — proof that sometimes biochemistry really is all about putting your cards on the table.
Exploring the Unicellular World – 2nde Bac
4e students got their microscopes —and their observation skills — back into action by investigating yeast, chlorella, paramecia and the bacteria found inyoghurt. Observing, searching, forming hypotheses, focusing and changing magnification: a practical reminder that living things can be tiny… without being short on surprises.
UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES
Élargis tes Horizons – UNIGE
A free, interactive day giving girls the chance to explore MINT subjects through hands-on
workshops led by women working in science and technology.
Who is it for? Girls aged 11–14 (8P and Cycle)
When? Saturday, November 7
Where? UNIGE
Registration deadline: October 25
https://elargisteshorizons.ch/evenement-biennal/informations-generales/
UNIGE – Fossiles
A documentary premiere taking audiences on a journey through vanished worlds and
exploring how fossils, palaeontology and geology help reconstruct the history of life on
Earth, followed by a panel discussion with specialists.
Who is it for? All audiences
When? October 1, 18:00
Where? Uni Dufour
https://www.unige.ch/lejournal/index.php?cID=8215
CERN – Dark Matter Night
An evening combining science and culture to explore one of the Universe’s greatest
mysteries — dark matter — with CERN scientists and live performances from local artists.
Who is it for? Ages 12+ – event in French
When? October 30, 20:00
https://indico.cern.ch/event/1718803
