In cooperation with Boeing, the two non-profits FIRST Scandinavia and the Léo Lagrange Federation have developed a challenge called “Shape the Future with Newton”. The challenge will be launched on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 and will close on February 19, 2021.
Design the future
The «Shape the Future with Newton» competitions will challenge young people in several countries to work alone or in teams of up to 3 people to design their vision of the future, in given categories. This particular competition, running exclusively in France, will focus on the design of the future classroom.
Founded in 1950, the Léo Lagrange Federation works to organise activities, carry out professional training, and support the implementation of educational, socio-cultural, and integration activities in France. Part of their activities are done at “Hub Léos”. Hubs are spaces that are integrated into an existing structure (leisure centres, social centres, etc.), and which allow children from ages 11 to 15 to have a place to meet and participate in various activities.
These activities are specially adapted to their interests, including media workshops, digital discovery, sports, cultural and artistic activities, and the discovery of professions. There are now 43 Leo Hubs throughout the country that regularly welcome nearly 1,600 teenagers. The Léo Lagrange Federation will invite their network of Hub Léos to compete in this challenge for a chance to win exciting prizes which will enhance their spaces!
“This challenge gives us a fantastic opportunity to engage with students in France, despite the unfortunate situation with the COVID-19 pandemic. It is more important than ever to provide high-quality fun and educational opportunities that are accessible to as many students as possible. The Newton Concept strives to do this with our physical classrooms, but the pandemic has forced us to think differently. We are thrilled to be working with two extremely competent and inspiring partners who share our values to bring this challenge to life in France.”, said Alysia Tofflemire, Director of Newton European Operations, FIRST Scandinavia.
Passion for science
“This challenge to create the ideal classroom, as well as the Newton project, represents for us great tools to give or even restore a passion for science to teenagers. Because it is often at this age that blocks are created and, as we are part of a popular education movement, we are committed to offering other forms of education and help cultivate different relationships to learning.”, said Estelle Rossi, director of Programs & Quality at the Léo Lagrange Federation.
Participants may upload their submissions until midnight on February 19th, 2021. A jury will select 3 winning submissions based on several criteria. Winners will be announced in March! The challenge is open to students aged 11 to 15 years old who are part of the Hub Léo network, are residents of France and have received parental consent to participate.
Read more at about «Shape the future»
“Boeing has been a partner of the Léo Lagrange Foundation since 2015, in order to educate young people everywhere in France about future career opportunities, particularly in the aeronautic industry, and of FIRST Scandinavia since 2018 to stimulate a passion for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics). These collaborations are taking on a new dimension in France today as we are launching this joint project, which will be a new opportunity for teenagers to develop their creativity and imagination in a collaborative way”, said Jean-Marc Fron, Managing Director of Boeing France.
FIRST Scandinavia is also proud to collaborate with Nathalia Rus, a French tech entrepreneur and influencer based in London.
