Shaw-IAU Workshops by the OAE

Cosmology, the study of billions of galaxies, dark matter and dark energy, offers goals that captivate the public but are hard to explain. These topics aren’t part of the Italian school curriculum, so middle and high school students aren’t prepared for them. We developed educational resources for Italian schools to explain basic cosmological concepts through hands-on experiments. They support both researchers visiting classes and teachers, using the appeal of the Euclid mission. The initiative is funded by ASI via the ESERO Italia programme, a joint ASI-ESA effort that trains teachers and inspires students towards scientific careers through STEM activities and events, all set within the fascinating context of space.

About Francesca Cavallotti

Francesca Cavallotti is the scientific director of the Museo del Balì, a science centre in central Italy. She graduated in physics with an experimental thesis at the Brera Astronomical Observatory in Milan and completed a master’s in science communication. For over 20 years, she has gained experience in the museum field, engaging the public, designing science labs for schools, and leading the museum’s mission and activities. She collaborates with the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and ESA through the ESERO Italia programme to promote STEM careers and support teacher training.