The “Researchers and Schools” activity aims to inspire secondary school students to engage with researchers and explore science and technology alongside them. In this context, Dr. Christina Makoundou, a Marie Skłodowska-Curie postdoctoral researcher and MEDNIGHT member, spoke to two classes from middle schools in the Seine-Saint-Denis department at the Learning Planet Institute in Paris on November 28th.
This event is part of The Schools Challenge initiative [https://www.learningplanetinstitute.org/the-schools-challenge/], operated in France by the educational team at the Learning Planet Institute and initiated by J.P. Morgan & Chase. In this program, middle school students design and prototype their own projects for a sustainable city. MEDNIGHT’s presentation will focus on key topics related to sustainable development, including sustainable coatings, alternative materials, waste valorization, and bio-based materials.
Dr. Christina Makoundou’s work is focused on promoting safer and more sustainable practices in urban infrastructure. Her research emphasizes raising awareness about the safety of vulnerable road users and the use of waste and bioresources as alternative construction materials for low-impact solutions. Her expertise covers surface and interface chemistry, chemical characterization methods for materials, as well as educational and research initiatives at the Urban Studies Institute.
