Progetto Lauree Scientifiche a program to support hard science degrees in Italy

Michele A. FlorianoUniversità di Palermp Italy and ECTN

flor@unipa.it

Basis & MotivationsBasis & Motivations

In a 2003 Communication from the Commission of the European Community it is stated that …. Education and training are crucial to achieving the strategic goal of the Lisbon declaration to make the European Union the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy (and society).

E. C. Commission E. C. Commission

Eurobarometer surveyEurobarometer survey20052005

The ProjectThe ProjectLaunched in June 2005Duration: school years 2005-06 & 2006-07

Sponsors:Ministry of University & Education MiUR Science Faculties Deans’ Association Con-ScienzeItalian Manifacturers’ Association Confindustria

Activity fields

CH

EM

ISTR

Y

MATHEMATICS MATERIALS SCIENCE

PH

YS

ICS

Actions Students Guidance and Teacher Training in

Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics & Materials Science

Stage, Job Placement and Master in Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics & Materials Science

Grants for freshmen in Chemistry, Physics & Mathematics

Opinion Surveys and general Monitoring of the “Progetto”

Budget ( 11 M€)from the Ministry & Universities

Students Guidance and Teacher Training 5.9 M€ & 2.0 M€

Stage, Job Placement and Master 0.8 M€ & 0.2 M€

Grants for freshmen 1.3 M€ & 0.3 M€

Opinion Surveys and general Monitoring 0.3 M€ & 0.1 M€

Overall PLS38 Universities121 local units

Orientamento, Formazione Formazione Univ.degli I nsegnanti stage, post-laurea

Regione Sede chimica fisica mat SM chimica fisica matAbruzzo AQUILA <Basilicata POTENZA <Calabria COSENZA < < < < <Campania CASERTA <

NAPOLI Fed.II < < < <SALERNO <

Emilia BOLOGNA < < < <FERRARA < < <MODENA < < < <PARMA < < < <

Friuli VG TRIESTE < < <UDINE < <

Lazio ROMA 1 < < < <ROMA 2 < < < < < <ROMA 3 < <

Liguria GENOVA < < < <Lombardia BRESCIA < <

COMO < < <MILANO < < < < <MILANO BIC. < < < < <PAVIA < < <

Marche CAMERINO < < <Piemonte PIEMONTE OR. <

TORINO < < < < <Puglia BARI < < < <

LECCE < <Sardegna CAGLIARI < < < <

SASSARI <Sicilia CATANIA < < < < <

MESSINA < < <PALERMO < < <

Toscana FIRENZE < < < <PISA < < < <SIENA <

Trentino AA TRENTO < < <Umbria PERUGIA < < <Veneto PADOVA < < < < < <

VENEZIA < <

TOTALE 29 32 31 11 8 9 1

Chemistry

National project coordinated by:Prof. Ulderico Segre

Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia

1. 1. Students Guidance and Students Guidance and Teacher TrainingTeacher Training

Experimental labs for students Courses for science teachers Information booklets, videos and

Web sites Visits to University labs Demonstrations, lectures and talks

1.1 Experimental labs for students

The experiments are designed and the labs are organized jointly by School and University teachers in each local unit

Different local experiences will be compared between them at the end of the 2-nd year

PLS ChemistryUniversity of Naples

School students stages at the UniversityLabs in Schools:

Setup at the University

Take Labs to SchoolsTake Labs to SchoolsJoint group of school and University teachers sets up lab experimentsExpert teachers help school teachers with poor laboratory resources

Labs in School Chemistry Naples

Teachers first perform experiments at University: they know what to do

Full specifications in pdf files produced by teachers

Lab kits are provided by the University for schools missing resources

For more information (in Italian only):

http://chemistry.unina.it/progettolaureescientifiche/

Lab Kit for School Chemistry Naples

Experiment:Prepare solutions by weighing and by dilution;

Compare color and concentrationKit content: Glassware (graded cylinders, flasks, funnel, pipette) Chemicals (copper sulfate, copper nitrate, ethanol,

distilled water) Filter paper; Slice; Balance container. Printed instructions, with questions and safety rules

1.2 Courses for science teachers

Attendance: mainly by teachers which do not have a Chemistry degree

Contents: An experimental approach to teaching Chemistry

Different local experiences will be compared at the end of the 2nd year

1.3 Information booklets, videos and Web sites

1.3 Information booklets, videos and Web sites

Guida alla scelta del corso di laurea in chimica

Chemistry, a good choiceA guide for the high school students

looking at University studies

Life withoutLife withoutChemistry?Chemistry?

Italian Federation of the Chemical Industry

International Chemistry

Olympiad - IChO

The students participating to the Italy regional selections for the 2006 edition of IChO have been asked to fill in a questionnaire on their opinions regarding the bachelor degree in Chemistry

More than 4000 students gave their opinions

International Chemistry

Olympiad - IChO

Are you planning to enroll in Chemistry at the University?

DON’T KNOW 49

NO 32

YES 19

Opinions about Chemistry studies (4000 high school stud.)

International Chemistry Olympiad - IChO

In your opinion: % a) the main negative side of the Chemistry studies is

learning difficulty 44 lack of jobs 42 poor wages 14

b) the main positive side of the Chemistry studies is to travel round the world in research centers 49 cultural interests 21 possibility of self-employment 13 easy job 9 good wages 9

c) which action should be undertaken to stimulate the interest to Chemistry studies? stage with a University or research center 40 more experimental or practical work 32 more interested teachers 9 more time for Chemistry lessons 6 popular works about Chemistry 4 scientific programmes in TV 4 lectures at the school by Chemistry researchers 3

Conclusions

It seems that we are doingwhat students think

that should be done…

Conclusions

2003 2004 2005 2006

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000Freshmen in Chemistry in Italy