Scientific mediation
Spintronics remains a little-known field. It is therefore important to introduce it to a broader audience. In this perspective, the SPIN Research Program supports mediation projects
Magnetic
“Magnetic” is a traveling and immersive exhibition designed by Hélène Fischer, a teacher-researcher at the Institut Jean Lamour (CNRS – Université de Lorraine), to introduce the public to all facets of magnetism.
Through around sixty interactive experiments and tactile videos, visitors explore four major themes: the presence of magnetism, its principles, its applications, and its key role in the functioning of computers. The journey, punctuated by hands-on activities and observations, illustrates the impact of fundamental physics research on our current technologies and the challenges to be addressed for more sustainable digital practices.
The exhibition begins with familiar phenomena, such as refrigerator magnets, before revealing the essential role of magnetism in our daily lives and cutting-edge innovations, such as nanotechnologies. It thus encourages the public to become active participants in the scientific process, perpetuating the visionary spirit of Jean Perrin
Initially presented in Nancy, the exhibition was later hosted in Rennes, at the Palais de la Découverte in Paris, before being recently installed at La Rotonde in Saint-Étienne.
The exhibition has already captivated tens of thousands of visitors at its various stops.
Curious to see more? Check it out in the video
The educational toolkit
Magnetism and the first steps of spintronics can be explained from an early age. With this in mind, the outreach team of PEPR SPIN is developing a portable educational toolkit, made up of more than a dozen experiments. Once ready, it will be distributed and sent out to teachers to introduce students to various physical phenomena.
The board game
Learning while having fun, at any age: that’s the promise of Polimaille et les secrets du magnétisme (Polimaille and the Secrets of Magnetism). This board game invites players to explore the various physical phenomena of magnetism in a fun atmosphere. Drawing on many elements from the educational toolkit, it is played this time in teams: on a board, participants compete against each other by answering questions and completing challenges to help their team win.
The game was designed in collaboration with students from the École nationale supérieure d’art et de design de Nancy (Ensad Nancy), who created all of the artwork.
The PEPR SPIN Research Program outreach team
Made up of coordinators overseeing the different initiatives and engineers dedicated to designing outreach tools, the PEPR team brings the exhibition, the educational toolkit, and the board game to life.
| Members | Fonction | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| Hélène Fischer | Teacher-researcher | Université de Lorraine / Institut Jean Lamour (Nancy) |
| Florent Tournus | CNRS Researcher | Institut Lumière Matière (Lyon) |
| Laurent Masseboeuf | CNRS Researcher | SPINTEC (Grenoble) |
| Laurent Ranno | Teacher-researcher | Université Grenoble Alpes / Institut Néel ( Grenoble) |
| Nathan Saintobert | Technical Engineer | Institut Jean Lamour (Nancy) |
| Christophe Bonnet | Technical Engineer | Institut Jean Lamour (Nancy) |
| Cyril Schlauder | Technical Engineer | Institut Jean Lamour (Nancy) |