The Foundation La main à la pâte aims at improving the quality of science and technology teaching in primary and middle schools. It is a foundation for scientific cooperation founded in 2011 by the Académie des Sciences, the École Normale Supérieure (Paris) and the École Normale Supérieure of Lyon. The Foundation’s activities are carried out within France and internationally, providing assistance and professional development for teachers. Programs are designed to help them implement inquiry-based learning which stimulates a scientific spirit in pupils, understanding of the world and capacities for expression.