From 11 to 13 May 2026, Ischia hosted the first conference entitled “School and Research: Public Engagement for the Scientific Culture of the Future”, a three-day event featuring talks, poster sessions and round tables dedicated to Italian research institutions and their science communication activities, with particular attention to initiatives aimed at teachers and school students.
The event, which aims to become an annual appointment, provided an opportunity to discuss and exchange ideas, assess the current state of the art, and create and strengthen cooperation networks within the Italian public research system.
Among the organizing institutions was, of course, the National Research Council of Italy (CNR), with many of its science communicators and researchers taking part in the event in Ischia.
The science communicators and researchers from CNR-ISASI presented or co-authored five talks:
- Quantum Taboo: A Game-Based Approach to Exploring Quantum Physics (S. de Luca, S. Di Nuzzo – MIM, A. Marino);
- STEM UP! Science, Technology, Creativity (A. Marino, S. de Luca et al.);
- In Search of Lost Balance: An Escape Room for Informal STEM Learning (A. Rocco – CNR INO, S. de Luca, V. Marchesano et al.);
- The CNR CREO Network for Schools (R. Tatè – CNR IGB, S. de Luca);
- Enlighting Co-vision. Hybridizations between Physics, Art and Design (E. Baldanzi – CNR INO, A. Marino et al.).
Please note: the names listed do not necessarily follow the authorship order, but are intended to highlight the contributions from CNR-ISASI.
Quantum Taboo was also among the highlights of the evening event on Tuesday, 12 May, dedicated to scientific games developed by research institutions.