Photo : AFPER
Autumn in Science: Stimulate their neurons for the holidays
Trade classroom boredom for a week of genuine discovery where your kids get to step into the shoes of a researcher. From designing futuristic space robots to unraveling the mysteries of glaciers, these immersive workshops bring high-level innovation down to their level. It is a fantastic way to spark a lifelong passion for science while spending the school break in an inspiring academic setting.
Campus de Saclay au Lumen
About
AFPER organizes Science Camps, offering 8 to 15-year-olds a unique opportunity to experience life as a researcher. Hosted at the Saclay campus at the Lumen in Gif-sur-Yvette, these week-long immersion programs run from October 19 to October 30, 2026. Under the guidance of skilled university students, participants explore innovation and scientific inquiry through hands-on projects, including space robotics and sustainable food systems. The sessions take place from 08:00 to 17:30. Participation is based on a solidarity pricing model, with fees starting at 39 euros for 5 days, depending on the family's quotient.
Live my life: 5 days in the shoes of a researcher with Science Camps
AFPER's Science Camps are week-long immersion courses in science held on university campuses, designed for 8-15 year olds.
Supervised by trained and competent students, they discover scientific research and technological innovation at the very heart of French higher education and research campuses.
Our goal is to train the next generation, the one that will face the scientific and technological challenges of tomorrow.
To make these Science Camps accessible to all children and teenagers, the contribution from families is on a solidarity-based sliding scale according to the family quotient (quotient familial) as established by the CAF.
Example: 39 euros for 5 days for a family quotient <250.
50 euros for 5 days between 250-350.
Consult our pricing grid.
The 3 themes from October 19 to 23, 2026
For the start of the school holidays, families can register their children for one of the following programs:
❄️ Grand Cold Expedition in the heart of glaciers and glaciology - Innovation Campus Ecole des Mines (Versailles).
🍽️ Understanding and reinventing our plates, with sustainable food - Saclay Campus at the Lumen (Gif-sur-Yvette).
🤖 Saving the Perseverance robot on Mars, with space robotics - Saclay Campus at the Lumen (Gif-sur-Yvette).
Other themes are also scheduled from October 26 to 30.
Discover all of our Science Camps on our website and view the fact sheets.
Our take on this event
Science Camps offer children and teenagers aged 8 to 15 the chance to spend a week immersed in a university environment. Located at the Saclay campus at the Lumen, the program connects young participants with scientific research and technological innovation, mentored by competent students.
The camps run between October 19 and October 30, 2026. Each day follows a structured schedule from 08:30 to 17:30. The curriculum focuses on engaging topics, such as exploring sustainable nutrition and solving challenges in space robotics, designed to inspire the next generation of scientists.
To ensure accessibility, the program uses a solidarity-based fee structure aligned with CAF family quotient calculations. Families with a quotient under 250 pay 39 euros for 5 days, while those with a quotient between 250 and 350 pay 50 euros. Registration is required for these sessions held at 8, avenue des Sciences in Gif-sur-Yvette.
