adopt a float : a bit of history

With the emergence of the Argo scientific program, an educational activity started in 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 (and still on-going) initiative that began to take advantage on data acquired by floats as a way to develop ocean literacy in a context of climate change.

Nearly at the same period, Carole Brieseman, a teacher from New Zealand, developed the first educational website dedicated to the understanding of many aspects of Argo float from the principle of displacement, to measurement and related science. This site was proposing hand-on experiments and video support.

The adopt a float program was founded in 2011 in France at Villefranche-sur-Mer’s marine station deeply involved in the development of Argo profiling floats with biogeochemical sensors. The program aims at connecting ocean scientists with the educational world, using the scientific journey of an adopted BGC-Argo float to speak of the ocean and increase Ocean Literacy. Since then, classes from all over the world (Metropolitan France, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, South Africa, United Arab Emirates…) have participated in the project!

Today, the adopt a float team continues its efforts bringing together the school public from all around the world under the missions of “United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030)“.

find here the people who participate or have participated in the program!

#TEAMADOPTAFLOAT

adopt a float is a network of scientists and science outreach officers who are involved in the program in complementary ways, for the children and their teachers.

Carolyn Scheurle
Scientific Outreach Coordinator

Manon Audax
Scientific Outreach Officer

A short biography .... (text is in progress)

Thomas Jessin
Webdesigner

Hervé Claustre
Senior Scientist

Thomas Boniface
Scientific Outreach Officer

Quentin Branchereau
Scientific Outreach Officer

Marin Cornec
Post-doctoral fellow

Marine Fourrier
Post-doctoral fellow

Flavien Petit
PhD

Martina Ferraris
Scientific Outreach Officer

Géraldine Williaume
Scientific dissemination

Orens P. de Fommervault
Technical Coordinator

Julia Uitz
Scientist

Marie Barbieux
Scientific Outreach Officer

Nicolas Mayot
Post-doctoral fellow

A short biography .... (text is in progress)

Antoine Poteau
Engineer

Raphaëlle Sauzède
Research Engineer

Christophe Penkerc’H
Engineer

Around the World

The educational program adopt a float is developed by different countries around the world.
Discover here all initiatives:

“The GO-BGC Array is a global robotic network of profiling floats carrying sensors that will revolutionize our understanding of ocean and ecosystem health.”
“The Southern Ocean Carbon and Climate Observations and Modeling (SOCCOM) project is partnering with teachers and classrooms across the country to inspire and educate students about the Southern Ocean and climate change through its “Adopt-A-Float” initiative.”