Seismic stations are being installed in high schools to raise awareness among young people about natural risks and strengthen collaboration between the world of research, universities and schools
The Scholastic Seismic Observatory is born in Sicily, a project promoted by the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) and the Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences of the University of Catania (UNICT).
The aim of the Observatory is to involve some high schools in eastern Sicily to promote the culture of seismic prevention, raise awareness among young people about natural risks and give them tools to understand and monitor earthquakes through a direct and participatory experience.
The School Seismic Observatory project involves the installation of seismic stations inside five schools in the Region: the “Principe Umberto di Savoia” Scientific and Linguistic High School in Catania, the “Gulli e Pennisi” High School in Acireale (CT), the “Giovanni Verga” High School in Adrano (CT), the “Orso Mario Corbino” High School in Syracuse and the “G. Galilei - T. Campailla” High School in Modica (RG). The installed stations will be integrated into the INGV Urban Seismic Observatory.
With a rich program of educational activities and an interactive approach, students will be able to acquire real-time data on local seismicity, analyze them and understand the technologies used to monitor earthquakes.
Thanks to the technical and scientific support of INGV and the University of Catania, students will be involved in concrete research projects, collaborating with experts in the sector and participating in training activities on the management and mitigation of seismic risk. The ultimate goal is to stimulate scientific curiosity and strengthen the bond between students and the world of research to bring new generations closer to science, technology and innovation.
“Involving schools in seismic monitoring activities is a fundamental step to spread awareness of natural risks and to train more informed and responsible citizens,” explains Stefano Branca, Director of the INGV Etna Observatory. “Schools represent the ideal context to cultivate the culture of prevention and risk education, a heritage to be preserved and passed on to future generations. This project not only enriches the educational offering of the schools involved, but also contributes to the collection of useful data for the scientific community, providing valuable information to improve knowledge of our territory and its natural risks.”
Francesco Panzera, Professor of Solid Earth Geophysics at the University of Catania, stressed the importance of initiatives of this kind to promote STEM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and bring young people closer to these fields: "This project represents a unique opportunity to help young people discover the potential of scientific research and to actively involve them in activities that go far beyond theory. It is an opportunity to promote integration between the academic world and civil society, with particular attention to young people, who are the future of our region and our country".
The Scholastic Seismic Observatory represents an innovative model of collaboration between the academic world, research and schools, with the aim of forming a more resilient society that is aware of natural risks. An important step towards greater safety and preparation of the new generations, who will be able to face the future with more knowledge, awareness and competence.
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