Scientific Advising

Specifics of normal advising

In this mode of scientific advising, each team of teachers is paired with an Éclairs de sciences consultant. The pairing lasts for an entire school year and can be renewed for one or two extra years, if possible and desired by all team members. This helps build and maintain a relationship of trust between the team of teachers and the scientist throughout the professional development process.

During planning meetings at the school, our consultants explain concepts in layman’s terms and demystify science. They are also experts in the Process of Active Discovery ; they ensure that everyone understands and is properly prepared to make use of this scientific process in planning the activities. The end goal is to equip elementary school teachers as thoroughly as possible so that they themselves can explain scientific concepts to their students, go even further by answering students’ questions, and above all develop their autonomy in teaching science and technology.

Each of our volunteer scientists is willing to travel to a school three or four times during the school year (depending on the model chosen by the school board) to assist teachers. They are also available to assist the team before and after meetings, for example by answering science-related questions via e-mail or by suggesting supplementary material. This service is completely free of charge for registered schools.

To register

If you wish to benefit from this support in your school, contact the pedagogical advisor in charge of science and technology at your school board to find out how to register. You may also get in touch with the Éclairs de sciences program manager (contact information appears on the Contact Us page) to be put in contact with the person in charge of registration in your area.

For the time being, Éclairs de sciences scientific advising is offered only to the following school boards: the Commission scolaire de Montréal , the English Montreal School Board , the Lester B. Pearson School Board , the Commission scolaire Marguerite-Bourgeois , the Commission scolaire de la Pointe-de-l’Île , the Commission scolaire des Patriotes , and the Commission scolaire Marie-Victorin . Efforts are ongoing with representatives from other Québec regions to extend the service in the future.  

Registration period

Given that Éclairs de sciences is part of a professional development process and that participating teams must attend three or four activity planning meetings during the school year (in addition to doing the activities in-class with students), teaching support and scientific consulting must begin at the start of the school year. Hence, the deadline for teachers to register in Éclairs de sciences is set for mid-October every year. After this time, your application will be retained for the following school year.