"P.L.O.U.F": 400 elementary and middle school students take the plunge

[Press Release] - Published on March 20, 2024 in the Press Room

The UNESCO ICIReward International Center and the University of Montpellier are organizing an awareness-raising event at the Corum on March 29 for 400 elementary and middle school students from Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole as part of the “P.L.O.U.F.” program (a fun program for smart explorers). As part of World Water Day, the students will participate in various awareness-raising workshops on the themes of water resources and living organisms.

Given the recent events in France (extreme droughts and water restrictions in the south, and high water levels and flooding in the north), awareness of the effects of climate change is growing.  The UNESCO ICIReward International Center and the University of Montpellier are organizing “P.L.O.U.F,” a fun and educational program dedicated to raising awareness among curious young minds about freshwater resources and living organisms. Throughout the day, nearly 400 elementary and middle school students from Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole will participate in 25 workshops, including photo exhibitions, games, models, murals, and experimental and artistic workshops.

The UNESCO ICIReward Center and the University of Montpellier will be supported by numerous partners: Univerlacité, Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole, the Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole Water Authority, Aquatech Innovation, Artisans du Monde, BioViva, C.L.O.P.E., Co-Science, EPTB Lez, and the Hérault Fishing Federation.

The Center in a Nutshell

The UNESCO ICIREWARD International Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Water Systems Dynamics, located in Montpellier, brings together and strengthens collaboration among nearly 480 scientists and 180 doctoral students across 17 research laboratories. The center’s scientific community thus forms a rich, multidisciplinary, and international network dedicated to improving our understanding of water-related issues. Its research areas combine hydrological, chemical, and biological sciences with the social sciences to provide comprehensive expertise in addressing water resource challenges, including water availability, quality, and distribution, as well as extreme events such as floods and droughts. ICIREWARD works year-round with elementary and middle school students, high school students, college students, and the general public (through programs such as Water4Future and PLOUF).