Inspire Budding Scientists On An Educational Visit to Paris

For budding scientists, time spent in the classroom and the lab is extremely important; but learning about how science has been connected to culture and politics throughout history, and how society and science continue to have a tight-knit symbiotic relationship, can be incredibly inspiring. An educational visit is the perfect opportunity for students to explore such connections. Paris, as a leading city of innovation and discovery in modern European history, is one of the most fascinating destinations for such a trip. Here are just a few of the attractions that will intrigue and excite young learners:

As Europe's largest science museum, this will make a great feature on any educational visit itinerary. Nestled at the heart of the Cultural Centre of Science, Technology and Industry, in the Parc de la Villette, this is a museum dedicated to enhancing knowledge and curiosity - particularly in young people, the scientists of the future. It contains a planetarium, interactive teen-oriented learning areas, and an IMAX theatre. Visiting students will be able to explore historical advancements as well as new ideas, and will hopefully come away with a deepened passion for the subject and its importance in the world.

One of the figures that cemented Paris's place on the scientific map was Marie Curie, still celebrated today for her work on radioactivity. Modern lovers of science can visit the place where it all began, at the Curie Museum - originally the laboratory built for Curie by the University of Paris and Institut Pasteur in the early 1900s. As both a monument to her work and discoveries and a repository of information about the history of science, this is a must on the itinerary of any science-oriented educational visit. The museum's exhibits trace the story of radioactivity and the ways it has been used in science and medicine. The star feature, though, is Curie's reconstructed chemistry laboratory. Learning about her life, work and legacy (the Institut Curie continues to build on the foundations laid by her research) is bound to provide inspiration for young visitors with a passion for science.

Educational Trips to Explore the Art and Science of Paris

As the largest city and capital of France, Paris is just a short hop away from the United Kingdom and makes for an exceptional place to go on educational trips for a taste of the art and science that makes the city what it is today. With a history that dates back over two thousand years, exploring Paris and its surrounds can seem to be a monumental task for educational trips to the city, but it is easy to manage the wealth of information and culture if you focus on a few key sights or topics.

While in Paris, it is hard to ignore the arts. World famous museums, such as the Louvre, are around every corner, but if you have a little time and want to get a more in depth look into a museum, consider a visit to the Musée d'Orsay. Don't neglect the sciences, either, which have a background that can be explored when you visit the Cité des Sciences.

Situated on the left bank of the Seine, the Musée d'Orsay literally cannot be missed. It is housed in the former Gare d'Orsay, which is a stunning Beaux-Arts train station that was built between 1989 and 1900. The building itself was completed just in time for the Universal Exposition of 1900 and the station remained one of the most important stations in France until 1939 when the short platforms became an issue for the longer trains. During the 1900s, the station was used as a film location, by auctioneers, and as a theatre company before the building was saved from destruction and opened as a museum in 1986. Educational trips here will reveal its history and heritage: it was designed to bridge a perceived gap between the collections of the Louvre and the National Museum of Modern Art. The resulting museum is light and airy and known for its extensive collection of impressionist and post-impressionist works of art with names that everyone will recognise - such as Monet, Degas, Manet, and Van Gogh, just to mention a few.

A Career in Library, Education, and Training Fields

Contrary to popular opinion, a career in library science of training is not, as it was considered, the province of those older females who have no prospects, of the lonely bookish man. These are for nearly anyone who enjoys reading, helping others to learn and grow and who likes the challenge of meeting new people and new situations on an hourly basis.

Library science and education is a challenging field with a great deal to learn to provide for a career there. In the United States, the American Library Association and the Organization for the Advancement of Library Employees advocates the improvement of salaries and conditions for nearly all library workers. This means that at times they are not paid what their education and work efforts are worth strictly speaking.

The average salary for a librarian in 2006 was about $51,000 with salary ranges from $22,000 to $250,000 at the upper level. Educational requirements for librarians are about the same as for a teacher or instructor with some minimal differences dependent upon which area of library science or which type of librarian you wish to become.