The 2023 edition of the Science Festival will take place across mainland France from Friday 6 to Monday 16 October 2023.
© Ministry of Higher Education and Research
The Science Festival is a popular, flagship event celebrating the sharing of science. It will take place from 6 to 16 October 2023 in mainland France and from 10 to 27 November in French overseas territories and internationally.
Organised each year by the Ministry of Higher Education and Research, the Science Festival is a must for all audiences. Over ten days, families, schoolchildren, students and science fans/enthusiasts exchange ideas at thousands of free events organised across France.
BRGM, the national geological survey, will be taking part in the Science Festival in Paris, Orléans and across France.
Sport & Science, the national theme in 2023
Sport occupies a central position in our daily lives and in society, as a leisure activity or in education, at amateur and professional level, whether we actually practice it or not. The importance of sport is reflected in its omnipresence in social, economic and media issues – and also in science. Whether we’re talking about basic well-being or elite performance, sport touches upon a wide range of multi- and cross-disciplinary fields, including ecology, sustainable development, economics, sociology and health.
[Replay] Science en direct 2023 - JO 2024 : que se cache-t-il sous les pieds des athlètes ?
[Replay] Science en direct 2023 - En quoi sont faits les équipements des athlètes ?
2023 Science Festival: meet our ambassador
Events in which BRGM is taking part
Paris – Science en Direct (Live Science): the national launch event for the Science Festival – 6-8 October 2023
To mark the national launch of this 32nd edition of the Science Festival, an exceptional Live Science event is taking place at the Musée de l'Homme in Paris. Over three days, from 6 to 8 October and from 1:30pm to 7pm, admission to the museum will be free. The aim is to give everybody access to science, with workshops, tours, meet-ups and live TV broadcasts.
BRGM stand – Friday 6, Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 October 2023
Explore the fascinating world of mineral resources and geology at the BRGM stand and enjoy a rich, entertaining experience.
Live Science programme – Sport and technology – Materials in sports equipment, on the pitch and in medals – Sunday 8 October 2023, 4:25 pm
Moderated by Jean Fauquet, with Anne-Sophie Serrand, geological engineer at BRGM, Blandine Gourcerol, researcher at BRGM and Nicolas Charles, geologist at BRGM.
Over three days, some twenty scientists will be talking about the theme of the 32nd Science Festival – Sport & Science – with events hosted by science journalist Fred Courant and the team from Esprit Sorcier.
Orléans (Loiret) – Science Village at the Orléans Museum for Biodiversity and the Environment (MOBE) – 14-15 October 2023
Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 October 2023
Free admission, 10am to 6pm
BRGM participation – Potholing, a sport that provides a better understanding of underground environments
Centre-Val de Loire Regional Potholing Committee and BRGM
The sporting disciplines of cave diving and potholing turn an eye to the underground environment, contributing to our knowledge of karstic environments and providing new input for the work of researchers. Experience potholing with our 45-metre introductory course.
Gardanne (Bouches-du-Rhône département) – Science Village – 5-7 October 2023
BRGM is organising games on rock identification as well as a virtual expedition at the Science Village in Gardanne, from 5 to 7 October 2023.
A game about rocks
Recognising rocks, mainly those found in the Provence-Alps-Côte d'Azur region. The game involves identifying rock samples or fossils through sight and touch. Each player or team uses a simple description sheet to help them identify and discover the rock through its colour, texture, hardness, appearance and sometimes its smell.
A game about mines
A board game with questions on mines, miners and geology.
Virtual potholing expedition
Plunge into the depths of the Earth through a former mine gallery or underground quarry. The animation is in two parts: a video on the acquisition and processing of 3D data underground (about 5 minutes) is followed by a virtual potholing expedition, where participants go underground or hover above the void. Each person in turn will be given a 3D mouse so that they can move around the 3D scatter plot. This animation is a fun way to learn about underground voids and the problems they raise. It also provides an insight into an innovative technique for acquiring geometric data using a hand-held laser scanner.
Montpellier (Hérault département) – Science Village – 9 October 2023
Eau'secours!, a workshop on water sharing for 7-11 year-olds
At the Science Village in Montpellier, BRGM is hosting Eau'secours!, a workshop on water sharing for 7-11 year-olds.
Where does our water come from and where does it go? What type of water are we talking about? What can we do in times of drought? In this workshop, we will draw, analyse and talk about water sharing.
The UMR joint research unit on Water Management, Players and Uses brings together scientists from all disciplines working together on integrated and adaptive water management issues (INRAE, CIRAD, IRD, BRGM, Institut Agro Montpellier, AgroParisTech).
Besançon (Doubs département) – Science Village – 14 October 2023
Geology in all its variety
At the Science Village in Besançon, BRGM scientists are seeking to gain a clearer understanding of the Earth in order to respond to social issues.
Geology is at the heart of many issues facing society today: whether we’re talking about drought crises caused by climate change, land-use planning to address natural hazards, the need for mineral resources to supply industry or geothermal energy to support the energy transition.
Martinique – Science Village – 18 November 2023
The issues and challenges facing geoscience in Martinique
Find out more about the factors shaping the landscape of Martinique, from river formations to the colour of the sand.
Geoscience plays a key role in helping society adapt to today’s challenges, with particular reference to natural hazards, climate change and the energy transition. BRGM will present the various problems and challenges facing Martinique:
- groundwater in Martinique: resources and quality?
- beach erosion: changes for the future?
- landslides: how can we better understand regional vulnerability in order to reduce the risks?
Part of the stand will also be devoted to the geology of Martinique, with an exhibition of posters and rocks representative of and linked to the island's most remarkable sites.
