Science Villages Explore the Expanding Definition of Intelligence
TOURS, FRANCE – Challenging conventional notions of what it means too be “smart,” a series of science villages will open across Center-Val de Loire this week, offering interactive exhibits exploring intelligence in humans, animals, plants, and even artificial systems. The events, running October 11-12 in Bourges and Tours, and October 11 in Châteauroux, come as scientific understanding of intelligence rapidly evolves, revealing its diverse and nuanced forms beyond human cognition.
Recent advances demonstrate intelligence isn’t limited to complex brains. From cellular behavior to plant responses and the capabilities of artificial intelligence, the concept manifests in myriad ways. These science villages aim to make this emerging understanding accessible to the public, notably families, fostering scientific curiosity from a young age. “We realize that we have a very family-oriented audience and we hope that children will thus be made aware of scientific culture from a very young age,” explains Béatrice Saulnier, Coordinator of the Science festival in Centre-Val de Loire.
The events will feature approximately forty interactive stands in Tours alone, presenting challenges, activities, and exhibitions focused on various facets of intelligence. Locations include the IUT de l’Indre in Châteauroux, the Natural History Museum in Bourges, and the Hôtel de Ville in Tours.
Detailed programs for each location are available online: Bourges, Chateauroux, and Tours. All activities are free to attend.
