AgroParisTech is hosting the 37th Math en Jeans event

Based on a simple yet effective principle, Math en Jeans connects mathematics researchers with middle and high school students. Throughout the year, these students engage in research projects, guided by their teachers and occasionally supported by a researcher. The spring event is the highlight of this adventure: there, the students present the progress of their work in the form of posters or oral presentations and interact with students from other schools and researchers. It is an immersive experience that, for those who wish, continues with the writing of an article published in the association’s magazine.

The fact that this year’s Île-de-France event was held at AgroParisTech is thanks to the dedication of Liliane Bel and Emmanuel Bernuau, both of whom are involved in the association at various levels. Emmanuel Bernuau, in fact, has been supporting the same school for six years as a designated researcher. Hosting the conference at a higher education institution has a special educational dimension: that of showing young people what research and post-high-school studies are all about.

These two days provided an opportunity to reaffirm the central role of mathematics in AgroParisTech’s educational programs and research activities. They also served to highlight a societal issue: the role of women in mathematical research. In a context where high school graduation exam reforms have made it harder for female high school students to choose science-oriented tracks, the institution was keen to send a clear message of encouragement to the young women in attendance, inviting them to dare to pursue studies in mathematics.