Summer STEM Academy

5 days of lessons with international teachers under the age of 35: the summer school of the Alumni della Scuola Galileiana di Studi Superiori Association as a first step towards university courses of excellence in the knowledge of tomorrow.

Between 30 August and 3 September 2021, twenty students of the fourth year of high schools from all over Italy were selected to take part in the third edition of the Summer STEM Academy, organised by the Alumni Scuola Galileiana di Studi Superiori Association. During the 5 days, a group of professors under the age of 35 – former alumni of the Scuola Galileiana with international experience and an excellent track record – held lessons and in-depth sessions in mathematics, physics and chemistry, data analysis and blockchain technology, with reflections also on soft skills. It was an engaging and stimulating experience for the boys and girls, and a valuable way to learn about the world of higher education and an invitation to consider closely – and without distinction of gender – the opportunities for employment, professional careers and personal fulfilment offered by the scientific-technological sector.

“

There are two key themes of the Summer STEM Academy: excellence in technical-scientific training and the promotion of diversity as a generator of innovation. We want to make boys and girls aware of the opportunities offered by STEM, encourage them in their interest in these subjects and draw attention to the importance of inclusive study environments.

Marika Babetto - Vice Chairman of the Alumni della Scuola Galileiana di Studi Superiori Association

Our support for the Summer STEM Academy 2021

Innovation is a daily and recurring theme for us and we have always been convinced that diversity is a source of value and enrichment for the entire community. It seemed only natural, therefore, for us to support the commitment of the Scuola Galieiana di Studi Superiori Association, and we have provided 4 scholarships for some of the students involved in the project.

The context

Scientific and technological subjects will play a significant part in the future. According to research, STEM careers will double over the next 10 years compared to careers in other fields. In Italy, however, there are still relatively few young people who choose to study these subjects, with evident gender disparities which will lead to employment and wage disparities.

2

%

rate of growth in STEM careers compared to ones in other fields in the next 10 years*

18.9

%

of female graduates who have chosen STEM subjects

16.9

in every 1000

residents between 20 and 29 years of age in Italy with degrees in STEM subjects vs. 21 in every 1,000 residents aged between 20 and 29 in the EU **

*Source: U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics, 2021 **Source: Openpolis – Con i Bambini report based on Eurostat data

The Alumni della Scuola Galileiana di Studi Superiori Association

Founded in 2010 and open to all alumni, the association was created to allow alumni, students and teachers of the Scuola Galileiana di Studi Superiori of the University of Padua to keep in touch and to combine and preserve relationships, skills and experiences formed at the School and University. The Scuola Galileiana di Studi Superiori of the University of Padua, in collaboration with the Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa, has been offering courses of excellence since 2004, with classes in Natural Sciences, Moral Sciences and Social Sciences for 30 selected students about to enrol at the University of Padua. Successful students must maintain an excellent average throughout their course of study, but will benefit from additional seminars and courses held by professors of international prestige; tuition to help them improve their level of individual preparedness; free bed and board; and financial contribution for the purchase of educational and scientific material.