Promoting photonics
Promoting and Popularising Photonics
Spreading the word about photonics and its applications to as wide a public as possible is essential to the development of our industry. Therefore, we act at a number of levels to promote photonics:
- with the general public, to raise awareness of photonics and its presence in the region,
- with secondary school pupils to offer them new career and education prospects,
- with teachers, to help them take ownership of these technologies and the training that goes with them,
- with photonics companies to facilitate links between education institutions, students and companies,
- with companies in the application sectors, to generate cross-fertilisation between application needs and photonics solutions,
- with public policy makers, to raise awareness of the region’s wealth of training opportunities, industrial base and high capacity for innovation.
Our outreach activities
Lectures, courses, internships, visits, participation in events, etc.: We undertake a wide range of activities to promote photonics to as many people as possible. Here are a few examples (not exhaustive):
Fête de la Science
The Fête de la Science is a free, popular event that celebrates science, technology and innovation throughout France. It is open to everyone and helps to promote the sharing of knowledge between scientists and the general public.
Photonics Bretagne takes part every year in a space dedicated to photonics. This allows us to make this science and its technologies accessible through a number of fun and attractive demonstrators. Here are just a few examples:
- how an optical sensor can monitor the health of plants
- how an optical fibre transmits data such as music,
- how light can be used to see transparent micro-plastics in the marine environment, etc.
Discovery work placements in secondary school
After setting up a photonics discovery course (with the heroine Monica Rambeau, alias Photon) for 1,000 local secondary school pupils, the Campus des Métiers et des Qualifications d’Excellence Numérique, Photonique & Cybersécurité in Lannion has innovated further with a tailor-made work placement offer for secondary school pupils.
The CMQe aims to create links between students, training courses and photonics companies, and has had close links with Photonics Bretagne for many years. Photonics Bretagne is thus fully committed to this enriching experience for young people, offering them a unique opportunity to discover the world of photonics.
The programme for 90 14-year-old students includes a 5-day internship with an introduction to the fundamentals of photonics, visits to companies (Oxxius, Lumibird, Kerdry, ENSSAT and Photonics Bretagne), educational workshops and an internship project presented to a panel of judges. The students presented their projects at a closing ceremony, where they were awarded the “My 1st start-up” prize.
The super-powers of light fascinated these young people and are sure to inspire new careers! This initiative will be repeated for older secondary school students.
The Week of Economic Tourism and Skills
Photonics Bretagne opened its doors to the general public as part of its participation in the Week of Economic Tourism and Skills. Over 2 days, more than 90 people, including 24 children and teenagers, had the opportunity to discover the amazing powers of photonics!
After introducing light, a photon, photonics, an optical fibre, what it’s used for and what we do at Photonics Bretagne, the participants visited our facility and laboratories. Around the glass-making bench and in the fibre-drawing tower, they learned how an optical fibre is made. In the biophotonics laboratory, they were shown the developments and applications linked in particular to agriculture.
And in a fun and practical way, 3 workshops enabled them to weld an optical fibre, measure the diameter of a hair with a laser, and see their heart rate measured by an optical sensor. It was a great way to spread the word about photonics to the public’s delight!
Tours of the technology platform
We are not a cultural or tourist centre open to the public, but we are keen to spread the word about photonics. Therefore, we sometimes welcome various groups of people to the Photonics Bretagne technology platform.
The aim of these visits is to introduce photonics, its applications, our biophotonics activities and the optical fibre manufacturing process to a wide range of more or less informed visitors. It is also an opportunity to promote the industry’s training courses, careers and recruitment potential.
We welcome over 200 visitors a year:
- teachers from higher education and secondary schools. In particular, we take part in the CGénial Foundation’s “Teachers in Companies” operation.
- secondary school pupils, but also students (ENSSAT, IUT de Lannion, INSA, etc.).
- people undergoing vocational retraining, via the CLPS (Adult training cantre in Brittany) for example.
- French and international member and partner companies.
- politicians and funders (Lannion Trégor Communauté, local and regional councillors, sub-prefect of Lannion, MPs, etc.).
Partnership with the Cité des télécoms
Find out more
Watch more videos on the Photonics Bretagne YouTube channel.