On 18th March 2011 an extraordinary large-scale schools event took place in four Italian cities simultaneously. Over 2,200 school students and 100 teachers from 55 high schools took a journey into the world of stem cell research. The ambitious event was coordinated by Italian group UniStem and took place at the Universities of Milan, Torino, Rome and Florence, with EuroStemCell making a key contribution to the programme in Milan.

Science rocks! Band EBTS has several scientist members

Innovative activities

All four universities combined film and lectures to introduce the students to key concepts in stem cell science during the morning. But each University also gave the programme its own distinctive flavour by adding unique creative activities. Video link-ups gave students at the different locations a window into each other’s discussions.

Rockin’ and rollin’ in Milan

At the end of Milan’s morning programme, a live performance by the band EBTS (Everything But The Spread) got students and teachers dancing in the aisles! EuroStemCell's All About Stem Cells educational resource formed the basis of an afternoon workshop on communicating stem cell research. Students deepened their understanding of the morning's lectures by working together to develop and communicate the key messages. They created colourful posters on different aspects of stem cell science and gave presentations to explain their posters to their peers. Science communication in actionStudents had great fun, and one commented, “I had the opportunity to dip into the fascinating world of stem cells and their applications thanks to the direct evidence of passionate scientists. I also realized how important the right way of communicating science is if we want to better explain scientific knowledge and to reach different kinds of audiences.”

The Smile of a Stem Cell photographic exhibition created by the EU-funded research consortium ESTOOLS was displayed at the University and made a striking first impression as participants entered the building. Groups of students also visited local stem cell research labs to experience for themselves what research is really like.

Budding film makers in Turin
The University of Turin launched a video competition in the run-up to the 18^th March event. Students prepared videos or multimedia productions on the theme, “Research as we imagine it”. The activity aimed to stimulate creativity using a medium that young people naturally engage with.

Experimentation in Florence
The University of Florence took students out to see science in action. Some students visited Open Lab, a facility focussed on disseminating science to the public. Others went to the Biomedic Centre of Careggi, where they could perform some interesting experiments for themselves. Students had the opportunity to see how experimental procedures are performed in real laboratories and could translate the morning’s themes into practical action.

Student projects in Rome
The University of Rome followed students for a period before the 18^th March event, introducing them to some of the many aspects of stem cells research. Students then prepared presentations to showcase their achievements to others on the big event day.

A presidential success

Dancing in the aisles in MilanTeachers and students gave the event a big thumbs up.  Maria Teresa Monolo, a teacher at Liceo Scientifico Bramante Magenta commented, “My students expected to attend a boring conference, which indeed it was not…time really flew by,  a special and fascinating day which still makes us think and think again and above all gives us a lift and fills us with enthusiasm.”

Another teacher, Velia Cappella of the Instituto statale Cairoli, said, “Thank you so much for this wonderful event! It opens our heart – and our minds – as we realize that much of your professional skills are devoted to science communication and that you invest such care, passion and versatility in it!”

The event even reached the ears of Italian President, Giorgio Napolitano, who praised the initiative and participated in the day by sending a message to the participating students: “I would like to express my deepest appreciation for the important initiative of scientific dissemination, organized by University of Milan together with the Universities of Turin, Florence and Rome. Stem cells do represent an important and current theme of scientific research. I sincerely hope that the education path you are about to choose will lead you to a new awareness in the role that scientific research has to play in the future of our Country and in particular for younger generations.”

What next?

Plans for the next event in 2012 are already underway. You can see the full programme of the 2011 event and read more about the participating laboratories, partners and sponsors on the UniStem website at http://users.unimi.it/unistem/index.php/lancio/terza-giornata-della-scienza-dedicata-alle-scuole-superiori (article in Italian).

Supporting organizations and individuals

Many organizations and individuals supported this event. In particular, the EU-funded research consortium NeuroStemcell played a key role in the organization of the day. Other sponsors and supporting organizations are shown below. Particular thanks from EuroStemCell to the following people for their enormous support in translating and organising the All about stem cells session in Milan: Giacomo Consalez, Alessia Delli Carri, Tiziana Turrisi and Anastasia Andriotto. Thanks to Marta Valenza for the photographs in this article, and to Gianni Munizza and Valentina Brambilla for their organizational support throughout.  The event could not have happened without the boundless enthusiasm and energy of its lead organizer, Elena Cattaneo.

Supporting organisations: