This project proposes to organise discussion groups and conferences with a public debate on themes of particular scientific relevance and actuality.  Objectives are: to encourage a wider knowledge on relevant and interdisciplinary scientific themes; present the different opinions and scientific theories implicated; evaluate the public debate and discussion methods used by the members of public involved in the debate; examine the perception of science and its values shown by the students involved in the project.

The project intends to:

1. organise a series of conferences with a public debate on the basis of an agreement between the Italian National Research Council (CNR) and the British Council
2. record, through questionnaires, what level of interest students have with regard to science and its values
3. follow one or more discussion groups with the aim of deepening their knowledge on the chosen theme before and after each conference through:
• encouraging an active participation of group members at the public debate
• encouraging group participation in discussing the theme in question;
• in discussing the relationship between science and society;
• encouraging communication between the various social factions involved: schools, students, cultural and research institutions, politicians etc.

(Adriana Valente, Institute for Research on Population and Social Policies, Italian National Research Council)

Coordinator: Adriana Valente, IRPPS, Cnr

                                                  Schools & Tutors
Naples:
Liceo Scientifico "Tito Lucrezio Caro": Prof.ssa Flavia Benedetto, Prof. Luigi D'Amico;
Istituto Tecnico Industriale "Alessandro Volta": Prof. Calogero Martorana;
Liceo Classico "Sannazzaro": Prof. Gaetano Esposito;
Istituto Tecnico Industriale "Galileo Ferraris": Prof. Gianfranco Amodeo;
I.P.S.I.A. "Guglielmo Marconi": Prof.ssa Rossella Salzano;
Liceo Classico " Umberto I": Prof.ssa Germana Vigliar;

Rome:
Liceo Classico "Virgilio": Prof.ssa Susanna Giansanti;
Istituto Tecnico Industriale "Enrico Fermi": Prof. Vettucci;
Istituto Superiore "Enrico Mattei": Prof. Riccardo Bartolucci;
Liceo Scientifico "Labriola": Prof.ssa Olivia Palmieri.