The seventh annual Esperienza inSegna, entitled “Certo … è probabile” [“Sure ... it's likely”], was held in Palermo from February 17-24, 2014. The event, organized by PALERMOSCIENZA, is now an annual event that involves middle and high schools, the University of Palermo, and research bodies such as the CNR and INGV, with the mission of communicating science in a simple and fun way. Hosted as always at the Polididattico of the University of Palermo, this year’s event included displays of exhibits on the topic of probability which were designed, built and operated by middle and high school students working together with their teachers or researchers from the University or research institutions. The purpose of this initiative is to provide new tools for the dissemination of scientific culture, to implement alternative ways of teaching and learning and, not least, to make young people aware of the importance of certain scientific disciplines as a resource for future job prospects.

The exhibits, which numbered over 200 and ranged from the disciplines of physics, chemistry, mathematics, statistics and astronomy to biotechnology and the life sciences, were designed to attract the attention of visitors who were able to learn the basics of these disciplines by experimenting, playing and interacting with objects.

The event opened with a ceremony chaired by Prof. Roberto Lagalla, Rector of the University of Palermo, Prof. Marcellina Profumo and Prof. Carmelo Arena, President and Vice-President of PALERMOSCIENZA, and hosted the conference “Il benessere dell’Umanità: destino o caso?” [“The welfare of humanity: fate or chance?”] organized by Mario Tozzi, a researcher, geologist, science popularizer and television personality.

During the week, the Polididattico was filled with thousands of visitors coming from all over the Province of Palermo, demonstrating public interest in the event.

The Research Area of the CNR of Palermo participated with exhibits from the IBIM, ISMS, IGV, and IBF groups. Working together with a number of schools, the researchers of these Institutes, including Dr Di Carlo’s group, trained students to be researchers for a day in a “field laboratory” set up in the Polididattico. The training was conducted in the MarLab, a laboratory of the IBIM which is managed according to a Quality Management System (QMS). This laboratory, created following the approval of the Quality and Project Management OpenLab (qPMO) project involving researchers from 5 CNR Institutes (IEOS, IGB and IBBR in Naples, IBPM in Rome, IBIM in Palermo), draws on the advice of Antonella Lanati (from “Valore Qualità”). The young people exhibited small experiments in chemistry, biophysics, and biotechnology, testing their talents as communicators and popularizers.

To close the seventh edition of this event, prizes were given for the best designed and best executed student exhibits.