Science & Music Summer Camp: An Immersive Experience in Fontainebleau to Spark an Interest in Science

A Science & Music Summer Camp

For one week, 40 students in their final year of 4th and 3rd grades, from schools in the town of Montereau-Fault-Yonne in Seine-et-Marne, explored science through hands-on activities, conducted experiments, created, and worked as a team on a project combining technology and artistic expression, as part of the Science & Music Summer Camp organized by Mines Paris – PSL at its Fontainebleau campus. The goal was to make science and engineering more accessible and appealing, spark students’ curiosity, break down stereotypes, and help them better envision careers in science and technology.

Introducing Science in a New Way

Selected through the Cordées de la Réussite program, the students were mentored by faculty members and doctoral students from Mines Paris – PSL, as well as by partner teachers and guest speakers. The program allowed them to explore various scientific and technological fields: coding, programming, digital fabrication, 3D modeling and printing, electricity, artificial intelligence, and an introduction to careers in the digital sector.

Based on an experimental approach to education and hands-on learning, the Summer Camp aimed to transform perceptions of science and engineering, break down stereotypes, and help students better envision themselves pursuing scientific and technological fields of study.

Special attention was paid to ensuring gender balance in the group, which consisted of 20 girls and 20 boys. This parity is a strong indicator of Mines Paris – PSL’s commitment to encouraging more young women to consider science-related fields and careers as engineers and researchers.

Icebreaker and First Singing Lesson—Students Get to Know Each Other

A Week of Experimentation at the Intersection of Science and Creativity

Day 1 – Discover, Experiment, and Create

The Summer Camp began with an immersion in the worlds of science and the arts. The students explored the various venues that would serve as the backdrop for their week: the Mines Paris–PSL campus in Fontainebleau, the Moebius FabLab, and the Lycée International François 1er.

On the agenda for this first day: an introduction to coding, digital fabrication, hands-on activities related to electricity, as well as an introduction to singing and music to explore the connections between artistic creation and the scientific process.

Divided into small groups, the students began experimenting on their own and developing their creativity through hands-on projects.

Day 2 – Learning by Doing

Throughout the week, the students continued their scientific explorations through various hands-on workshops led by teams from Mines Paris – PSL.

Through an experiential learning approach, they were able to experiment, design, and build, while discovering the working methods specific to engineering sciences: observing, formulating hypotheses, testing, improving, and collaborating.

These activities also introduced students to the diversity of careers in science and technology, and demonstrated that the sciences draw on a wide range of backgrounds, skills, and career paths.

Day 3 – Generative Artificial Intelligence Explained to Students

Generative artificial intelligence was the focus of the third day, featuring a workshop led by Albert School, a partner of Mines Paris – PSL in joint degree programs in data science and management.

Designed for school students with no prior knowledge, this workshop gave students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with the various stages of a project involving data and artificial intelligence. Using a practical case study inspired by the 2026 World Cup, they analyzed data, built a scoring system, and used AI to develop a well-reasoned recommendation.

By stepping into the shoes of analysts at a sports sponsorship agency, the students worked with soccer data to identify trends, interpret results, and develop their critical thinking skills regarding artificial intelligence tools.

This hands-on approach allowed them to go beyond their everyday experience with AI and better understand its potential in a variety of professional contexts.

AI Discovery Workshop led by Mégane McCort and Inès Berthou Haas from Albert School

Day 4 – A Musical Tribute to Rose Dieng-Kuntz

This week’s art project focused on the life and career of Rose Dieng-Kuntz, a computer scientist and artificial intelligence researcher who is an iconic figure in scientific research. With the guidance of music teacher Clara Sfez, the students spent a few days preparing a performance consisting of five songs and scenes depicting different stages of her life.

This performance highlighted the connections between science and creativity, while giving the students the opportunity to showcase their collaborative work centered on a female scientist. Presented before representatives of the Fondation Mines Paris, the show also served as a highlight for sharing the experience with the partners who contributed to the project’s success.

Day 5 – Presenting Projects and Opening New Horizons

The final day was devoted to reflecting on this collective experience and presenting the students’ projects.

After a week of experimentation, discovery, and discussion, the participants left with a better understanding of science and its practical applications, as well as insight into the educational paths and careers these fields can lead to.

Mines Paris – PSL, Committed to Equal Opportunity

Through this Summer Camp, Mines Paris – PSL reaffirms its commitment to social inclusion and equal opportunity.

This program offers students a hands-on, immersive experience at the intersection of science, technology, and artistic creation. It helps inspire career interests, build self-confidence, and open up new career paths. By giving young people the opportunity to discover science through hands-on activities, meet researchers, and work on a group project, the Summer Camp helps break down the barriers that can keep some students from pursuing science-related fields.

This project was made possible thanks to the commitment of partners dedicated to facilitating young people’s access to science and creativity: the Fondation Mines Paris, FabLab Moebius, the Lycée International François 1er in Fontainebleau, Albert School, as well as all the scientific, educational, and artistic instructors who supported the students throughout the week.

A Note on the Fires in Fontainebleau

Support for the Teams and the Local Community

A few days after the Summer Camp took place, the Fontainebleau area is facing an exceptional situation, with several fires affecting the region and, in particular, threatening the Fontainebleau Forest, a natural heritage site of the area.

As a precautionary measure and in coordination with the relevant authorities, activities at the Mines Paris–PSL Fontainebleau campus have been temporarily scaled back.

Mines Paris – PSL wishes to express its support and solidarity with the teams at the Fontainebleau campus, the local residents, and all those working to address this situation. The School also extends a special thought to the Fontainebleau Forest, which is currently suffering greatly.