Frequently asked questions – Argonimaux project

Signing up to ArgoNimaux When and why should I register my class?	The educational benefits of setting up an ArgoNimaux project in the classroom are numerous: an "emotional" engagement with the topic due to the role of animals; many pedagogical approaches allow multidisciplinary projects that link to the school curriculum. Argonautica's website provides multiple resources (satellite data, informative resources and educational worksheets but it also offers the opportunity to meet or discuss matters with scientists, marine professionals and more during the end-of-year gathering in La Rochelle) and the project gives a deeper sense of value to your class's work. You can register your class at the beginning of term, in September, or during the year. Registration enables you to receive Argonautica news by e-mail, find out more about certain events and request to attend the end-of-year gathering
Project workflow How do I plan a project over the year?	Throughout the year: -Your class will develop its project at its own pace and depending on the animals equipped with Argos transmitters. -You will receive newsletters about Argonautica projects (2-5 letters per year, by e-mail), as well as 10 letters from ‘Pierrot the penguin’ for the students and you will be able to contribute to project developments by naming animals, meeting people and so on. -Students can choose to present their project for online publication in the ‘achievements’ section. Your project could also be highlighted in Argonautica's newsletter ("Spotlight on a Project").
End-of-year event	At the end of May, Argonautica organises an event where teachers, students, scientists and marine professionals can meet one another and student representatives present their class project. To attend, fill in a pre-registration form with a description of the class project (all information is sent in advance by e-mail).
Animal tracked Which animals should we choose?	Once tagged by science laboratories, some animals are monitored all year round (or even over several years), others only during periods of activity (penguins, for example, are generally tracked only from December to May). Classes are asked to suggest names for newly-tagged animals (making identification more pleasant than just using a number!). The names subsequently chosen by the Argonautica team, along with the list of animals fitted with transmitters, are announced in the newsletters as they become available. Your class can base its project on one or more animals. Comparing their data with archived data makes it possible to verify whether movements or behaviours are cyclical or related to the same phenomena (winds, temperatures, etc.).
Tracking data Which data are provided? How can we use them?	In addition to animal positioning data, the Argonautica website provides environmental data maps from satellite observation (phytoplankton levels, temperature, winds, salinity, etc.). The site allows these environmental data maps to be superimposed on animal movements, making it easier to establish relationships between movements and the animal’s environment. Case studies are suggested along with concrete examples of how tracking data may be exploited.
Student questions Where should questions be sent?	Students can send their questions to Argonautica’s partner scientists. They should be sent to: email pierrotthepenguin.org if they are about ‘Pierrot the penguin’ or to CNES’s Argonautica project manager, who will pass them on to scientists and then send you back their answer.
And also...	In addition to the resources available on the website, you can also access other media (maps etc.), depending on the project, and benefit from training which can be held near you.