On Thursday, May 22, Université Côte d’Azur will welcome 500 students from across the Alpes-Maritimes and Var for the much-anticipated “Science et Société” restitution day on the historic Valrose campus. This large-scale educational celebration will spotlight a year’s worth of collaborative scientific exploration between school students and leading researchers from the university and its regional research institutions.
Spanning 25 classes and 14 scientific themes, the event marks the culmination of two flagship programs:
“La Cordée de la Réussite “Réussir avec les sciences” – Bringing together 28 classes across 10 science projects, students delved into fields such as agroecology, mathematics, oceanography, biology, and astronomy.
Les Défis Scientifiques – A brand-new initiative under the Science Azur program (SAPS-certified: Science Avec et Pour la Société), where 12 classes tackled real-world scientific challenges through direct collaboration with Côte d’Azur researchers.
Throughout the day, students will present their projects through stands, models, posters, videos, and oral presentations, receiving direct feedback from participating scientists. The program also includes:
10:00–12:00: Project presentations and exhibition stand tours (Parc Valrose & Théâtre du Grand Château)
12:10–12:45: Official ceremony and diploma presentations (Petit Valrose Amphitheatre)
13:45–15:00: Closing quiz and ceremony (Parc Valrose)
Press opportunities and interviews with students, teachers, scientists, and program leaders will be available onsite.
This event brings together key partners in science and education including CNRS, Inria, Inserm, INRAE, IRD, Mines Paris–PSL, the Côte d’Azur Observatory, the Institut de la Mer de Villefranche-sur-Mer, and the Musée d’Archéologie de Nice-Cimiez.
By encouraging scientific curiosity and engagement from a young age, Université Côte d’Azur reaffirms its commitment to connecting science and society — shaping the researchers, innovators, and problem-solvers of tomorrow.
