Starting from the state of emergency due to the Covid-19 pandemic and to respond to requests from schools, INGV has proposed seminar and laboratory activities to be carried out with online classes or, where possible, in presence in schools. An initiative welcomed very positively by teachers and pupils. To find out more, we interviewed Giuliana D'Addezio, an INGV geologist who is personally involved in dissemination activities and with schools.
Giuliana, what is the objective of the activities with schools carried out by INGV?
The objective of the activity with schools carried out by INGV is to make young people aware of the problems connected with the dynamics of the Earth system, addressing topics relating to earthquakes, volcanoes, the solar system and, in general, the very delicate balance of biosphere. As INGV we want to transfer what is done at the level of scientific research directly into the classrooms, making pupils aware, from childhood, of the wonderful world of STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) which, to date, they see a still too low female participation.
Which classes are the activities dedicated to?
We try to involve schools of all levels, we also have activities for nursery school children, as it is never too early to become interested in our planet and its surroundings.
Appropriate languages and approaches are chosen for each age typology, also in accordance with international guidelines; if a playful approach is envisaged for the little ones, a more intense commitment is envisaged for the older ones.
We also have programs dedicated to university students. Even with them, as well as for the other age groups, we try to stimulate interest and fun, since an activity must also be fun to be effective.
How are the activities foreseen in your program dedicated to schools organised?
Under ordinary conditions, activities with schools take place in presence, at INGV, precisely to encourage direct interaction between students and researchers. With the Covid-19 pandemic this was no longer possible, so we formulated a proposal based above all on the online method, differentiated by class, both in support of teachers and students, proposing topics that otherwise they would not have had the opportunity to explore in depth.
Where it was possible we went to schools but still had to adapt all the initiatives we usually carry out in person online, starting with the laboratories. I myself have held some online with primary classes and, thanks also to the precious help of the teachers, the children had a lot of fun, learning concepts they talked about for days and days with their parents.
The world of STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) to date, sees still too low female participation. Do you think these activities can help fill this gap?
This gap is a cultural problem that has its roots far back in time. The good news is that it is slowly shrinking.
Every year we announce a competition dedicated to students for the creation of the school calendar. When we asked boys and girls to represent, through a drawing, what they thought was the potential of science, what they would like to invent and how they perceived the world of scientists, we noticed that compared to the competitions of 10 years ago, many more girls they drew female scientists. Furthermore, they often represent themselves in this role. We hope that this trend continues, we as INGV try to give our contribution to bring girls and students closer to STEM subjects, also through an appropriate language.
When we launch contests, for example, we always specify that female scientists must be represented in the drawings; even from these small linguistic attentions comes awareness.
What kind of response do you get from students? And from the teachers?
The teachers have always been very happy with the activities and our contributions, especially recently, during the lockdowns due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The online activity and the impossibility of going out to play outside the home has greatly affected the lives of pupils and pupils and the willingness of our Institute to organize activities dedicated to them has been very welcome.
As for the little ones, I happened to work with kindergarten classes, their approach is enthusiastic: it is difficult for them to get bored when we talk about the planet, the Earth, or volcanoes as they are topics they perceive as "close ”.
Even with the older ones we have had very positive responses. The proposed activities always try to include students in fun and engaging activities, making them protagonists.
When are activities with INGV carried out?
Normally the activities take place during school hours, both for on-site visits and for online activities. We also involve schools in projects such as European Researchers' Night and Seismic Literacy Day and, also during these appointments, we have had a very positive response from students and teachers who have followed the seminars dedicated to the topics of geosciences.
Is there a particular new element compared to the training offer of previous years?
Yes, online businesses were the big news. Behind it there has been a great effort to transform what was normally done in presence, such as laboratories.
Making online dating interesting and engaging has really been a big challenge. We adapted language and gestures to the new means of communication and the contribution of the teachers was of fundamental importance. In fact, they provided the materials and assisted pupils during the experiments.
Even when we return to normal, online activities will continue. In this way, even schools that are outside the territory will be able to follow our activities.
Finally, where is it possible to consult the list of activities and how can one book?
The list of activities is available on the INGV website here , where there is a sector dedicated to schools in which the offers in the various INGV offices, online and in person, are summarized, divided by type of school and activity (seminars or workshops) and their duration is indicated.