In Lyon, at l'Année Lumière (the ‘Light Year’ school), one learns to play with one’s cognitive abilities. In other words, how to build up the brain’s muscles! To achieve this, all we need is a simple ball – and a good dose of ingenuity.
L'Année Lumière
Founded : 2019
Place : Lyon, France
Number of students : 80
Status : Association - paying fee for the students
Link : https://www.annee-lumiere.org/
There is a very special establishment in Lyon based on a collaborative model. This is ‘The Year of Light’ school, which which proposes a year outside of the traditionnal cursus to prepare for the world of work with a sense of happiness. The concept has already been tried out in Denmark for a long time.
No lectures or end-of-year exams. The pupils are not students but ‘learners’. They are followed by coaches, operate in small working meetings and learn entrepreneurship on the job, collectively developing their own projects.
From the start of their studies they create real companies, which will face real problems – and generate real profits. As they prepare for the realities of the professional world, which is based on discussion, the use of social networks and group dynamics much more than on the art of the essay…
Claire Bleton Martin the director explains:
“The principle of our school is that we can overcome greater challenges with others than alone. Even if sometimes it is more complicated. A bit like the expression: ‘alone we go faster, but together we go further’. It’s the power of teamwork. Learning to collaborate in diversity makes it possible to succeed in even bigger projects.”
The Year of Light is also a model of a diverse environment: girls, boys, atheists, believers – all cooperate. This is essential to prepare them for today's world, as well as anchoring them in multiple human and social relationships.
