Deep emotion, great curiosity, and wonder: this was the prize trip experienced by the 2ªA class of Istituto Comprensivo Selargius 2 (CA), winners of the “In viaggio con la Scienza” contest – part of the RIALE-EU project.
Departing from Cagliari with enthusiasm, the 18 students – accompanied by teacher Cinzia Utzeri and CRS4 colleagues Paola Pinna and Fabrizio Murgia – enjoyed an experience that combined culture, science, and discovery in the vibrant city of Naples.
The first stop on their journey was the University of Naples Federico II, where the class took part in a fascinating tour of seven different laboratories in the Department of Physics: from the first quantum processor in Italy, to experiments with cosmic ray detectors (INFN), beer sample spectroscopy, optical phenomena, holography, lasers, and microscopy.
A true scientific immersion made possible thanks to the support of Prof. Tagliacozzo, Prof. Oscurato, Prof. Ernesta De Masi (from the Scienza e Scuola association), and the entire university team. Thank you for your passion and hospitality!
The adventure continued at the Città della Scienza, where the day began with a show at the Planetarium: a journey through distant galaxies and a fascinating reflection on the relationship between the universe and artificial intelligence, helping students look to the future with new eyes.
From the stars to the human body: in the Corporea exhibition, students explored interactive models and light displays, discovering the complexity and wonder of human anatomy and physiology. And to wrap up the day, a walk through the micro-world with the insect exhibit: tiny yet fundamental creatures presented in all their extraordinary biodiversity.
With lights, sounds, hands-on activities, and wonder, science was experienced as a living adventure, capable of turning curiosity into knowledge and play into awareness.
Upon their return, many students brought back new questions, inspirations, and perhaps even new passions to explore: the 2ªA class returned home with their eyes set… on the future!
Heartfelt thanks to UNINA, to Città della Scienza, to all the researchers involved, and to the institutions that made this extraordinary journey possible. And above all, thank you to the students: you are the real future of science.
About the project
The RIALE-EU project, designed and coordinated by CRS4 researcher Carole Salis and funded by the PSC of the Sardinia Region (formerly known as PAC), aims to promote engaging scientific experiences in schools, while also integrating monitoring and evaluation activities to assess their impact.
