What if a student project went beyond the academic framework to become a tool used by the general public? This is the successful challenge taken up by around ten Master’s students in Software Development at ISEN Ouest, who worked in collaboration with two committed associations—CLCV44 and La CIM E—to design a digital water consumption simulator. Initially developed as part of an academic project, the initiative reached an impressive outcome: officially launched in December, the tool has been deployed by the associations, patented and even awarded.
An idea born from a concrete need expressed by associations
The project originated from a shared observation: water is a major environmental issue, and individuals often lack clear reference points to understand their consumption and take effective action. During a meeting of CLCV44—an association dedicated to consumer protection and awareness—the idea of a digital water simulator emerged. The goal was to enable the general public to estimate their annual water consumption and costs, while discovering eco-friendly practices and equipment to reduce them.
Pauline Depuydt, a lecturer-researcher at ISEN and a volunteer member of CLCV44, played a key intermediary role. She identified the opportunity to involve ISEN students in the project, both to meet the associations’ needs and to offer students a rich learning experience. For the associations, it was also a way to quickly obtain an initial version of a tool to present to potential funders.
Two weeks to take on a real-world professional challenge
The project was entrusted to fifth-year students from the Software Development professional field on the Nantes campus, as part of an intensive two-week literature and project assignment in May 2025. Their mission was to design an educational web application based on a set of specifications written by the associations, describing the expected outcome without detailing technical solutions.
Divided into two competing teams, the students each developed a first version of the simulator. A panel made up of ISEN faculty members and association representatives assessed the proposals. Both projects were highly appreciated for their approach, usability and features. Ultimately, the associations decided to merge the two concepts. A graduate from IMT, drawn from the volunteer network, then built on the students’ work to deliver a final version in September.
While students particularly valued the project’s concrete and useful nature, they were also faced with a highly formative challenge: learning how to communicate with non-IT specialists and translate expressed needs into technical solutions. An experience very close to real professional practice.
Recognition for student-led work
On December 5, the simulator was officially launched at an event bringing together elected officials, representatives from the Water Agency, association stakeholders and volunteers. Feedback has been very positive, and the tool is now being deployed in a testing phase with a panel of consumers.
A few days later, the project reached a new milestone: it was patented by the associations and awarded by the QUALITEL endowment fund, known for its highly selective recognition process. A strong acknowledgment for both the associations and the work initially carried out by ISEN students.
When hands-on projects give real meaning to academic studies
This project perfectly illustrates the value of collaborations between higher education institutions and field stakeholders. For students, it is an opportunity to develop not only technical skills, but also human and organizational competencies, through a project with real-world impact. For ISEN and its partner associations, it demonstrates that academic projects can become genuine drivers of social innovation—a dynamic everyone hopes to see extended to other themes in the future.
