Meteorologists

Since 2009, the Seine-Saint-Denis County Council has been backing “la Culture et l’Art au Collège (CAC)”. This project is based to a large extent on the presence in class for several weeks (40h) of an artist or scientist whose mission is to engage the students in a process of research and creation. 

Tutors: Rémi Meynadier/ PhD in atmospheric science, Thierry Elias/ researcher-physicist, Robin Locatelli/ meteorologist, Alexis Metzger/ geographer, geo-climatologist

Project managers: Anna Mezey and Florise Pagès

Objectives:
Before the weather forecast reaches the television screen, it goes through the expert hands of many observers able to understand the clouds, analyse the atmosphere and interpret the winds. With the help of a researcher, the pupils have to draw up an observation protocol, test it locally for several months and try to forecast the weather for their classmates at the end of the year.

Workshops:
What is the forecast for?
How does the weather concern us? Does everyone see it in the same way? Where can you find out about it? Using these question as a springboard, the tutor explained what weather is about and the difference between weather and climate.

Looking at the sky
Each session dealt with a separate factor: temperature, rain, wind, pressure, and hygrometry. The pupils studied the phenomenon using measuring instruments and carrying out experiments. They took daily readings to compare with the official weather report and so better understand the stakes and signs involved.

Knowing is foretelling
Meteorology is a science but it needs both physics and geography: the pupils discovered that it also involves more empirical interpretations, especially when it calls on common sense and observation. Choosing a date some weeks ahead, the class compared past records with their own experience. They used all these factors to try to forecast the weather on that day.

Outcome:
For a week, each class explained the weather for the following day to the rest of the school: they set up a weather office where they could comment on the sky and clouds, measure temperatures, wind, and humidity, and explain climate warming and the reliability index. 

Outings (selection):
- AIRPARIF: MEETING WITH THE SCIENTISTS ON THE SITE (DESCRIPTION OF THEIR JOB, THE TOOLS THEY USE, POLLUTION IN PARIS).
- SIRTA: VISIT TO THE SIRTA’S INSTRUMENTAL PLATFORM, READINGS, AND A DEMONSTRATION OF LIDAR, A TECHNIQUE FOR ANALYSING THE MOVEMENT OF AEROSOLS IN THE AIR.
- ORLY AIRPORT: MEETING WITH AN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER (USE OF METEOROLOGICAL DATA IN THIS OCCUPATION.)

Schools:
- Class (5th 6) Collège Colonel Fabien, Saint-Denis
- Class (3rd) Collège Jean Jaurès, Pantin
- Class (5th C) Collège Simone Veil, Aulnay-sous-Bois
- Class (3rd 6) Collège Saint Exupéry, Noisy-le-Grand 

Photo: GUILLAUME LEBRUN
Scenography: ELODIE DESCOUBES