When students check the condition of the filters in the Bois de Boulogne

Following in the footsteps of last year's cohort, a new group of students took over the Bois de Boulogne site for an immersive day combining classroom theory with hands-on fieldwork. 

At the heart of this session: assessing water quality, sediments and the Saint-James river, as well as studying local biodiversity. A practical approach that allowed them to put into practice what they had learned in the classroom. 

The day kicked off with a guided tour of the station, led by the Life Adsorb project manager. Students had the opportunity to discover the core treatment system and the water storage facilities, gaining a clearer understanding of the technical and environmental challenges of the site. 

Then came the practical work: water samples were collected from the filters installed on site, as well as from the neighbouring river. These samples will be used to compare water quality upstream and downstream of the filters, and to identify aquatic species present in the natural environment. The students also conducted habitat analyses of the surrounding area, including a count of oligochaetes — the small worms that serve as valuable indicators of ecosystem health. 

All the data collected will be processed throughout the month of April, ahead of a final presentation scheduled for 7^th May 2026. A hands-on experience that places students at the heart of environmental issues, far from the classroom.