The educational project
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At the beginning

From the beginning of the project, in 1987, the Department of Education—and more particularly the Lille educational district–has been involved in creating LA COUPOLE History Centre.

The design of the historical programme and the scenography was entrusted to a secondary school teacher, Yves le Maner, with the support of a committee composed of French and foreign historians, Second World War specialists (Jean-Pierre Azéma, Etienne Dejonghe, José Gotovitch, etc.).

Enriching lighting

The historical programme of LA COUPOLE was designed to complement the teaching of Second World War history provided in colleges and secondary schools. It can also be used by teachers as an aid for diversified courses in colleges and for practical work students in secondary schools.

Images to enhance understanding

Images are at the heart of the scenography. 10 000 photographs and about one hundred hours of films have been acquired from numerous European and North American archive centres, and have provided a database for the preparation of 15 short documentaries (5 to 21 minutes).

The image, in all its forms, is the main information transmission vector : it is not used simply as an illustration, but as a complete document. It is therefore possible to serve an apprenticeship in « reading » an image at LA COUPOLE.

A interdisciplinary tour

In addition, the programme and the scenography, which touches on the « dangerous links » between War and Science, give the opportunity for real interdisciplinary work, by combining History and Physical Sciences or History and Philosophy.

The possibility of listening to the commentaries which accompany the exhibition, in four languages (french, English, German, Dutch), offers interesting possibilities for the joint visit of French and foreign students as part of class exchanges. LA COUPOLE wants to participate in a joint reflection on the history of Europe in the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century.

In order to prepare for your visit and that of your pupils, the education department of LA COUPOLE can provide you with courses specially adapted to the different levels and programmes, both in History and in Physical Sciences.