On the very last day of school year 2016 (the 1st of July 2016), three research scientists from the CNRS (National Center of Scientific Research) came to hold workshops during our very first "science day in Herriot!". Two of them were familiar with our school (Jean-Pierre Lebreton and Tjarda Roberts) and came for the first time: Laura Selliez.

With the help of older students, involved in the project, among 50 students (from all level and ages) participated to one or two workshop of their choice:

Jean-Pierre held a workshop on Rosetta mission and solar system exploration, students at the end, were given a "space certificat" they loved it!

Tjarda presented her reaserches on pollutions emited by volcanoes , she presented her device, some volcanic samples... Then students imagined and created their own effusive eruption.

Laura explained a reaserches on organic matter on Titan, she made students discovered what is organic matter made of and made them created a molecule out of atoms patern. They discovered that they created a molecule of..cellulose!

 

 

 

 

On the 8th of December,Tjarda Roberts a Research Scientist on Volcanoes and Atmospheric Chemistry in the Voltaire Labex came to Edouard Herriot school.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Last Tuesday, 8th of December, I had the great opportunity to visit collège Édouard Herriot in Lucé near Chartres (Région Centre, France). Meeting with the students of Ms Desmoissons, we discussed our science activities on the theme of air pollution and volcanoes.


I presented my scientific research on volcanoes, especially my expeditions to the volcano summit to measure the volcanic emissions “in-situ” using miniature gas sensors (for example to detect toxic pollutant gases such as SO2, H2S, HCl, CO). It was very interesting to see the posters about different volcanoes that have been made by the students.


I was also very excited to join Science Club and to hear all about their science and cultural exchanges across Europe. It was great to see the programming of the Lego robot, and especially to find out about the students research developing a small gas sensor instrument to measure VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that they are using to test VOC emissions from cleaning products.


This “Pollution – find a STEM Solution” project is very interesting to me. VOCs are indoor air pollutants and some can be harmful to health. They also react in the atmosphere with NOx to form ozone as a secondary pollutant that is also hazardous to health. As well as being emitted from cleaning products, VOCs can be released from paints, from burning of fossil fuels and even from some plants. The chemistry and impacts of VOC emissions is a ‘hot topic’ in atmospheric science.


The students’ sensor science project is very complementary to my miniature gas sensor research so I look forward to seeing this project progress and for us to work together on small sensors in future.


Many thanks for my visit!

Tjarda Roberts

Research Scientist on Volcanoes and Atmospheric Chemistry in the Voltaire Labex