Polytechnique and Folie technique welcome young "reporters" aged 11 to 14 from disadvantaged multi-ethnic neighbourhoods as part of the "Une école montréalaise pour tous" program

On November 3, 4, 7 and 8, some 100 young "reporters" aged 11 to 14, all from elementary and high schools located in disadvantaged multi-ethnic neighbourhoods in Montréal, will discover the world of science by learning how to create short video vignettes with the support of Polytechnique Montréal and the Folie technique science camp, an initiative of "Une école montréalaise pour tous" (a Montréal school for all). Media representatives are invited to watch these young people at work or take part in science workshops every day starting at 9:15 a.m.
October 26, 2011


Young participants from two school boards, the Commission scolaire Marguerite-Bourgeoys and the Commission scolaire de la Pointe-de-l'île, have been invited to choose among the 12 following story topics:

* Structural breakdown and struts
Hear an explanation of the phenomenon followed by a live demonstration in Polytechnique's huge structural engineering laboratory.

* The 3D universe and immersive environments
Take a tour of CAVE (Cave Automatic Virtual Environment, also known as the "immersion vault") and see a presentation of several useful and fun applications developed at Polytechnique (games, virtual surgery operating room, etc.)

* Bacteria: our friends?
Take a look at medical biology, in particular guiding bacteria using magnetic fields for cancer treatment.

* Oronos experimental rocket
Meet with members of Polytechnique's Oronos technical society, whose goal is to build every component of a rocket in order to enter international university competitions and develop cutting-edge aerospace knowledge.

* Concrete canoe
Meet with civil engineering students who are attempting to carry off the challenge of building a seven-metre-long concrete canoe that must float -- even when it's filled with water.

* EPM steel bridge
Meet with students from Polytechnique's EPM team, which every year takes part in the student steel bridge competition organized by the American Institute of Steel Construction in collaboration with the American Society of Civil Engineers.

* The evolution of the glass eye
Meet with Jérôme Lapointe, engineering physics doctoral candidate at Polytechnique, who has made advances in glass-eye technology by inventing a device that can vary the size of the pupil based on ambient light, resulting in a much more natural look.

* Understanding chemical engineering
Learn about the key role that chemical engineers play in the development of all sorts of everyday objects. Nutrition, hygiene, clothing, travel... very few things can happen without the input of chemical engineering.

* Life-cycle analysis: the case of the tomato
Explore how environmental, economic and social relations are taken into account in creating a product or service throughout its life cycle.

* Data sensor glove
Learn about the prototype of a glove that can position a hand in space and record all its movements. This first interface can even translate sign languages with the help of a smartphone!

* Baja SAE
Meet with the Baja SAE team, which is attempting to design and build a single-driver all-terrain vehicle with a view to entering competitions organized by the Society of Automotive Engineers.

* Avion Cargo
Meet with engineering students who are crazy about aeronautics--they're designing and building a remote-controlled airplane to take part in the annual Society of Automotive Engineers aero-design competition.

Five bonus science workshops!

When the young student teams are finished filming or editing, they can also take part in science workshops on a wide variety of topics: the multiple uses for liquid nitrogen, physical and chemical reactions, building a telegraph, building an electric snake, making 3D glasses... plenty of things to open young minds to the infinitely fascinating world of science!

About "Une école montréalaise pour tous"

The harmonization of interventions in disadvantaged  and multi-ethnic neighbourhoods in Montréal allowed the professional teams working in the Supporting Montréal Schools Program (SMSP) to join forces and create the New Approaches, New Solutions (NANS) intervention strategy for the Montréal region. They work together under the new name "Une école montréalaise pour tous."

About Polytechnique Montréal

Founded in 1873, Polytechnique Montréal is one of Canada's leading engineering teaching and research institutions. It is the largest engineering university in Québec for the size of its student body and the scope of its research activities. With over 37,000 graduates, Polytechnique Montréal has graduated 25% of the current members of the l'Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec. Polytechnique provides training in 16 engineering specialties, has 241 professors and more than 6,900 students. It has an annual operating budget of over $200 million, including a $72-million research budget.

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Source :

Chantal Cantin
Polytechnique Montréal

Information :

Marie-Claude Hamel
Folie technique
514 340-5856

Andrée Peltier
Relations publiques Andrée Peltier
514 846-0003

Media Relations

Communications advisors from the media relations team plan, organize and oversee the relations between Polytechnique Montréal and the media.


Meet our team 

Christian Merciari
Communications Advisor
Mobile: 514 742-8586
christian.merciari@polymtl.ca

Martin Primeau
Communications Advisor - Science Outreach
Phone: 514 340-4711 ext. 3669
Mobile: 514 805-0797
martin.primeau@polymtl.ca

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