M. Allegri, M. Bologna, A. Budano, E. Calore, A. Capitani, R. Chiaratti, V. Fanti, S. Marcellini, F. Masciulli, M. Massicci, F. Scianitti, M. Selvi, P. Paolucci, E. Vianello
The first edition of the INFN STEAM Summer Camp, promoted by the Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), is a national initiative aimed at students in the third, fourth, and fifth years of Italian upper secondary schools, as well as Italian schools abroad. The summer camp is organized in collaboration with the ICSC Foundation – National Research Center in High Performance Computing, Big Data and Quantum Computing – and CINECA.
Designed as an immersive three-day experience, the camp brings together around 100 students and 20 teachers selected from across Italy. Participants engage in lectures by experts, visits to research centers, interactive scientific laboratories, and science communication workshops. The camp has a dual objective: to introduce students to cutting-edge topics such as particle physics, supercomputing, and artificial intelligence, while also exploring innovative forms of science communication that integrate storytelling, comics, games, and science.
The camp also serves as an important opportunity to reflect on the synergy between schools, industry, and the research community, illustrating how science can be not only a subject of study but also a source of inspiration, creativity, and innovation.
The INFN STEAM Summer Camp aims to bring young people closer to the world of science and research through an engaging, multidisciplinary, and creative approach. The initiative is part of INFN's public engagement activities, supported by the Third Mission Coordination Committee (CC3M), and has received the patronage of the Ministry of University and Research (MUR), the Ministry of Education and Merit (MIM), the Emilia-Romagna Region, and the Municipality of Bertinoro.
Keywords: Education, summer camp, experience.