In-Depth Details of Adopt a Float
adopt a float : a bit of history
With the emergence of the Argo scientific program, an educational activity started in the Pacific Islands under the umbrella of SEREAD (Scientific Educational Resources and Experience Associated with the Deployment of Argo profiling floats in the South Pacific Ocean). This was the first (still on-going) initiative that took advantage on data acquired by floats as a way to develop ocean literacy in a context of climate change.
Around the same period, a primary teacher from New Zealand, started to include Argo floats in her teaching experience. She developed a first educational website dedicated to the understanding of many Argo aspects, and she continues to include hand-on experiments and provide multiple video support.
In 2011, the adopt a float program was founded in France at the marine station of Villefranche-sur-Mer. The scientific staff of this marine station is deeply involved in the international efforts of the global Argo network and the development of Argo profiling floats with biogeochemical sensors (BGC-Argo). And, by working together with the science outreach and education staff, the common commitment to foster Ocean Literacy resulted.
The adopt a float program aims to share ocean sciences and puts a strong focus on connecting ocean scientists with the school environments. Using the scientific journey of a BGC-Argo float allows pluri-disciplinary approaches within each classroom and opens multifaceted ways to speak about the ocean.
Since its beginning, classes from all over the world (Metropolitan France, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Europe, USA, South Africa, United Arab Emirates…) already joined the program! Today, the adopt a float team guides the more and more classes from kindergarten to high school through their scientific adventure each school year, and continues its efforts under the missions of “United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030)“.
adopt a float team
adopt a float has its #headquarters at the marine station of Villefranche-sur-mer / France. Here, together with associated scientists, a dedicated staff of science outreach and education officers coordinates all activities and events, develops educational material and ensures their implementation in classrooms and beyond.
Besides, a global network of colleagues (#international correspondents, #scientific contributors) helps to deploy and enrich the adopt a float activities, and assures the well-functioning of the program in many complementary ways.
Bringing in different expertise and motivation, all join to work for and with the children and their teachers.
Find here the people involved in the program!
Staff #Headquarters

Carolyn Scheurle
Scientific Outreach Officer

Manon Audax
Scientific Outreach Officer

Hervé Claustre
Senior Scientist

Thomas Jessin
Webdesigner

Thomas Boniface
Scientific Outreach Officer
Staff #National & International correspondents

Jade Burdallet
Outreach officer (Ifremer)
FRANCE

Léa Lemée
Communication student (Ifremer)
FRANCE
#Scientific Contributors
Name | Status | Years of participation | Affiliation | Spoken languages |
---|---|---|---|---|
Eric Abadie | In-class speaker | - | - | |
Samir Alliouane | In-class speaker | 2024 | IMEV (LOV, CNRS) | |
Martin Amice | In-class speaker | - | - | |
Xavier André | In-class speaker | 2022, 2023, 2024 | IFREMER (RDT/SIIM) | |
Lou Andres | In-class speaker | 2023, 2024 | IMEV (LOV) | |
Benoît Augier | In-class speaker | 2022, 2023 | IFREMER (RDT/LHYMAR) | |
Kevin Balem | In-class speaker | 2022, 2023, 2024 | IFREMER (LOPS) | |
Carine Barreau | In-class speaker | 2023 | IMEV (LBDV, SU) | |
Miriam Beck | In-class speaker | 2023 | IMEV (LOV) | |
Emma Bent | In-class speaker | 2022, 2023 | IFREMER (LOPS) |
adopt a float involvements
The adopt a float program is actively involved in local, national and international scientific and educational networks and events.
Networks
Events
Around the World
In several countries, similar adopt a float initiatives developed.
All have in common that there is no financial cost to participate.
Find out more about the initiatives and complementary resources here: