After the alumni evening: Sidonie Bourgoin brings ENS and its students closer together

At the recent annual alumni event of the Biology Department at ENS Paris-Saclay, Sidonie Bourgoin (Class of 2021), now a teacher of biochemistry and biological engineering at Lycée Poincaré in Palaiseau, reaffirmed her strong connection to her alma mater. Inspired by the encounter, she quickly reached out to the School to organize a visit with her students.

Less than a month after taking the initiative, the visit was dynamically organized. On the afternoon of May 13, 17 high school students — 4 in the biotechnology elective in seconde and 13 in terminale STL — were welcomed on campus. The day was structured around three workshops:

• A guided tour of ENS, allowing the students to discover the research and work spaces, and to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of a top scientific institution.

• An exchange with ENS students preparing for the agrégation in biochemistry-biological engineering, who were in the lab that day, as well as with the technical team. These interactions gave the high schoolers a hands-on insight into laboratory work. They observed how sterile hoods are used for cell sampling, discovered the centrifuge, and viewed live and dead cells under a microscope. Meeting the technical staff helped the students—most of whom are future lab technicians—better visualize their future profession and understand the diverse paths that can lead to the same job.

• A scientific poster analysis workshop, based on posters displayed in the biology department’s corridors. Using a booklet of questions, students read and analyzed the posters to answer questions such as: What is a virus? Is it alive? How is it observed in the lab? A fun and stimulating way to explore the scientific method through posters from the Laboratory of Biology and Applied Pharmacology (LBPA) and from the Fête de la science.

Sidonie Bourgoin was delighted by the initiative:
“Introducing students to the demanding and fascinating world of biological research means opening up new horizons—those of an education rooted in excellence.”

This visit confirmed the importance of building bridges between secondary education and research, to encourage young people to pursue scientific paths.

Former ENS students, keep your connection with the School alive!
Do you have a project idea, want to organize a visit, or contribute to promoting the School? Don’t hesitate to reach out. Together, let’s continue to build this active and committed network, in service of future generations.