‘Indian children bright, eager to learn’

Says science teacher Cedric Le Bescont on the sidelines of the Apprentice Scientist competition

Lycee Francais students have a learning moment during the Open Day on Saturday; science teacher Cedric Le Bescont conducts experiments with students.Photos: S.S. Kumar

: Having taught at branches of French school Lycee Francais in Australia, Europe and Africa, Cedric Le Bescont says he finds Indian students to have the best potential in science. “I feel Indian children are bright, ready to take up an opportunity that comes their way, adaptive and eager to learn,” he said, on the sidelines of the Apprentice Scientist competition which was held on Saturday. Mr. Bescont, head of the departments of Physics and Chemistry at the Lycee Francais and the organiser of the competition says he has spotted several potential scientists among the students. Conducted annually by the Lycee Francais in Puducherry, the competition attracts the brightest young minds in science and helps them in ‘learning by doing’ with the message ‘science is fun’. “We think we can help these students become scientists. They can study in the best science colleges in France, and also become a bridge between India and France,” he said.

For this though, allowing children to conduct experiments and encouraging their imagination is important, said Mr. Bescont. Is it possible to teach cricket without giving a bat to the student, or letting the child on the field, asks Cedric Le Bescont. “Teaching science is the same thing. Each time, students are given a science bat, they love it!” says Mr. Bescont.

The competition is inspired by French scientist Nicole Ostrowsky’s illustrated book L'agenda De L'apprenti Scientifique (The Agenda of the Apprentice Scientist).

This edition in Puducherry had five school teams participating. Each team with five students (Class 8 and 9) included one student from the International Section of Excellence in Science (ISES) section of Lycee Francais as well. The topic was thermohaline circulation (deep ocean currents) and the students had to conduct experiments on topics like density and salinity.

Claude Edelin, botanist at the French Institute of Pondicherry, and a jury member, said, “The Apprentice Scientist competition is a clever concept. I was quite impressed with the participants. The teachers at Lycee are involved in their work and do a good job and I hope this competition can be continued in the future. The IFP has always been open to students of the Lycee to learn and exchange.”

The first place was won by Aditya Vidyashram, followed by KSP Higher Secondary School in second place and Transition School from Auroville in third place. The school also held its Open Day on Saturday, allowing parents, students and visitors to learn more about the different sections of the school .