ProScience: The organization that sparks scientific curiosity in French Polynesia
For more than 30 years, ProScience - Te Turu‘ihi has been making science accessible to everyone. The organization's mission is to make science accessible through lectures, exhibitions, interactive activities for the public, and school science competitions. With the support of Air Tahiti Nui, ProScience hosts researchers and speakers in French Polynesia to foster connections with local professionals and bring science closer to the Polynesian public.
For Elodie Cinquin-Beigbeder, President of the association, “Science is everywhere; it surrounds us, and all it takes to discover it is curiosity… it is curiosity about the world that creates scientists!” Today, she tells us about the ProScience – Te Turu‘ihi association:
Can you tell us about your organization and its main mission?
« The ProScience association was founded in 1992 and has been recognized as a public-interest organization since 2011. It was established at the request of the then High Commissioner of French Polynesia with the goal of organizing the Science Festivals in the territory.
ProScience then expanded its mission and activities to help promote and spread local science and research, while highlighting the work of the scientific community. The goal is to facilitate access to high-quality scientific information, foster dialogue between researchers and the general public, and spark young people’s interest and curiosity in science.
We were also awarded the Education Prize at the 2024 Overseas Excellence Awards. »
What kinds of events do you organize?
« We are involved in a wide range of activities. We organize fun and educational workshops on various scientific topics, exhibitions, events in schools, public lectures, training sessions and seminars for professionals, as well as planetarium shows. »
What are the latest major projects you've implemented?
« This year we organized a great series of lectures and training sessions, including the following in the first semester:
- Three public lectures about the brain, the potential of algae, and regenerative medicine,
- A lecture on stem cells and a training session on neuro-visual disorders in children for healthcare professionals,
- Two lecture-debates in schools focused on algae.
This second semester, we are offering three lectures on climate change, including the upcoming one, “Polynesia 2100: What Will Tomorrow’s Climate Be Like?” which will take place on Thursday, November 19. We will continue in December with a public lecture on Tuesday, December 15, on human intelligence and artificial intelligence, and will offer two new training sessions focused on neurovisual disorders. »
Could you tell us a little about your partnership with Air Tahiti Nui?
« Air Tahiti Nui is a long-standing partner of ProScience and plays an essential role in ensuring the continuity of our work. It enables us to invite distinguished speakers on topics of interest to French Polynesia, to organize meetings with local researchers and professionals, and to bring science and innovation to the Polynesian public. It is important for us to provide access to high-quality scientific information so that people can better understand the implications of local and international scientific developments.»
What are the upcoming important dates for ProScience?
« We have some exciting events planned:
- Two public lectures:
"Polynesia 2100: What Will the Climate Be Like Tomorrow?” by Jérémie GUERBETTE, Ph.D. and engineer at Météo-France, scheduled for Thursday, November 19, 2026.
“Human Intelligence & Artificial Intelligence: The Great Challenge for Our Brains” by Sylvie CHOKRON, neuropsychologist, Director of Research (Exceptional Class) at the CNRS, and founder of the Institute of Neuropsychology, Neurovision, and NeuroCognition (I3N) at the Rothschild Ophthalmological Foundation, Paris, scheduled for Tuesday, December 15, 2026.
- Training courses on neurovisual disorders in children (Levels 1 and 2), reserved for healthcare professionals, scheduled for December.
- We are also working toward acquiring a new planetarium for 2027. »
Anything else to add?
« I would like to thank Air Tahiti Nui once again for its invaluable support. ProScience is an organization made up of passionate volunteers, and we hope to continue our work for many years to come. »
Follow the latest news from the ProScience - Te Turu‘ihi association
To find out the dates of upcoming events, you can visit the ProScience association’s website or their new Facebook page, Association Proscience Tahiti !
Pictures : ProScience - Te Turu‘ihi
