Laboratory activity aimed at the application of chromatography and analysis of the data collected, examining the pollutant substances in the water.

The activity will take place at the DiSSTE premises, based in Vercelli, with dates and times that can be agreed with Prof. V. Gianotti, in the period from 1 February 2023 to 19 July 2023

Number of hours: 16

Maximum number of students: 20

Photonics, the science based on manipulation of light, is of crucial importance for sustainable development. In addition to the production of renewable energy, based on photovoltaics and solar panels, there are two other fundamental key areas that will play an increasingly decisive role in the ecological transition. Firstly, energy saving, up to a real revolution in technology towards "zero energy" devices (Zero Energy) including photonic computers. The second, and equally important, key area is that of new digital technologies such as sensors, which make production processes increasingly efficient and with reduced waste production. In this seminar we will see some examples of how new generation photonic materials are used in solar cells, lighting, data transmission, sensors and environmental pollution monitoring.

The activity lasts one day only, to be arranged with the teacher.

For more information, contact: flavia.artizzu@uniupo.it and angelica.venturini@uniupo.it

The proposed activity consists of a practical laboratory experience for the preparation of crystals. This will be followed by demonstrations on the properties and applications of crystalline materials in the field of scientific research and technology. Acquire skills on the recognition of crystals, methods of preparation and growth. Acquire awareness of the chemical-physical properties of crystals and their possible applications.

Standard laboratory methods for the crystallization of inorganic substances.

Period of activity: 28/04/2023 – 05/05/2023

Duration: 3 hours

Max. number of students: 30

Contact flavia.artizzu@uniupo.it, eleonora.conterosito@uniupo.it or angelica.venturini@uniupo.it for information and bookings

In the workshop, all phases of the textile chain are analysed, reflecting on the economic, environmental and social implications of choices made in the sector, so as to be able to quantify and model in mathematical terms the phenomena and facts related to the production of clothes, from the raw material to the packaging.

Dates and times can be arranged with Prof.ssa Andrà, to be carried out at the DiSSTE premises, in Vercelli

Duration: 25 hours

Aimed at students in upper high school

Contact  angelica.venturini@uniupo.it for information and bookings

In the laboratory, the most common games of chance are analysed with mathematical tools, which allow us to understand how they work and to reflect on the consequences of excessive gambling.

Possibility of carrying out a workshop face-to-face.

Available to carry out the activity in university or in a school. It should be noted that the teacher does not have a car. You need: projector and Android smartphone/tablet on which to install the game simulators (if possible).

Duration 4 hours: the activity alternates phases of work in small groups with gambling simulators and phases of collective discussion and frontal lesson.

Aimed at students in upper secondary school

Contact chiara.andra@uniupo.it or  angelica.venturini@uniupo.it for information and bookings.

8 afternoon meetings: 1 February, 15 February, 1 March, 15 March, 29 March, 19 April, 3 May, 17 May 2023 (3-5pm)

Activity aimed at students of years III, IV and V of secondary schools interested in deepening the main topics in the field of chemistry. The course can be useful for taking part in the Chemistry Games event and for the preparation for entrance tests of degree courses in the scientific and health fields (medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, health professions, biotechnology ...).

Topics:

• Reaction balancing and stoichiometric calculations
• Solutions and colligative properties
• Acid/base equilibria in aqueous solution
• Chemical thermodynamics and equilibrium
• Red/ox balances and electrochemistry
• Organic chemistry
• Basics of biochemistry

Link for registration

Abstract. Introductory seminar on the infinitely small world followed by a laboratory for the synthesis of green nanoparticles with modulation of optical properties.

Opportunity for a face-to-face workshop.

Available to carry out the activity only in the university premises.

Duration: 4 hours, from 2.30pm to 6.30pm, for a maximum of 25 students and minimum of 10 students per session (4 sessions envisaged).

Aimed at students in upper secondary school

The activity will be repeated in 4 sessions on these dates: 9,15,17 and 23 February 2023 2.30pm-6.30pm.

Students may take part in one session only, choosing one of the dates available.

Min. students per session: 10

Max. students per session: 25

Contact angelica.venturini@uniupo.it for information and bookings.

Link for registration: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1N7QCFuV7SoUJMuSmBvDd0nrHtEnvMBrapBXiA-tWI04/edit?usp=forms_home&ths=true

Abstract. Biodiversity is defined as the variety of living organisms on earth and their interactions; each species has a unique role in the ecosystem in which it lives and all species are essential for a balanced ecosystem. In addition to having a value in itself, biodiversity provides mankind with essential services for survival (e.g. food, oxygen, clean water). In recent decades, however, we are witnessing the disappearance of species and populations at a rate never before recorded. Preserving biodiversity is therefore vital and, to do so, it is necessary to know and be able to distinguish the species. During the workshop we will learn techniques for recognising some groups of vertebrates through their morphological characteristics.

Opportunity for a face-to-face workshop.

Available to carry out the activity only in the university premises.

Duration: 3-4 hours, one afternoon or morning (we will work on 3 groups of animals, around one hour per group). 

Aimed at middle school and high school students

Contact angelica.venturini@uniupo.it for information and bookings.

Abstract. The museums and private collections of four continents are rich in Italian works of art. When, how and why did they get there? Patronage, collecting, international treaties, thefts and looting: a range of reasons behind a secular phenomenon, from the 16th to the 19th century and beyond.

Possibility of carrying out a seminar face-to-face or a webinar.

Available to carry out the activity in a school or university according to needs, or to online. If the activity takes place outside the university, a blackout room is required to project images from a computer and projector.

Duration: 60 minutes

Aimed at students in upper secondary school

Contact angelica.venturini@uniupo.it for information and bookings

Abstract. What is meant by Naturalism? And Realism? And to what extent do these two concepts involve the painting of Caravaggio and his followers? Reflections on the meaning of the two terms and on its evolution through the centuries, up to today.

Possibility of carrying out a seminar face-to-face or a webinar.

Available to carry out the activity in a school or the university according to needs, or to online. If the activity takes place outside the university, a blackout room is required to project images from a computer and projector.

Duration: 60 minutes

Aimed at students in upper secondary school

Contact angelica.venturini@uniupo.it for information and bookings.

Abstract. All eras are conventionally limited by chronological extremes of beginning and end, which are inevitably arbitrary. The contemporary world is an exception, which by its very nature lacks the second extreme. But how long is it going to last? The definition itself is elastic: in fact, it is not objective but varies according to the methods adopted and the point of observation, i.e., the progressive revelations that the collective consciousness operates with the passing of time.

Possibility of carrying out a seminar face-to-face or a webinar.

Available to carry out the activity in a school or university according to needs, or to online. If the activity takes place outside the university, a blackout room is required to project images from a computer and projector.

Duration: 60 minutes

Aimed at students in upper secondary school

Contact angelica.venturini@uniupo.it for information and bookings

Abstract. The electrocardiogram is a well-known and simple medical test that helps evaluate certain aspects of cardiac activity. However, this investigation can provide valuable information that goes beyond the cardiovascular system. In fact, it is possible to carry out mathematical analysis on the intervals between one heartbeat and another. These, in fact, are never constant and vary from beat to beat. We therefore speak of "heart rate variability", in English HRV. HRV allows us to evaluate the state of internal balance (homeostasis) of the organism. Thanks to the power of modern devices, today it is possible to carry out these analyses in a very simple way, to the point that HRV is also considered a valid method for assessing the state of fatigue and training in athletes. Students will first be introduced to the electrocardiogram and methods to evaluate HRV, then measurements will be performed on the participants.

Possibility of carrying out a seminar face-to-face.

Available to carry out the activity in a school or the university according to needs, or to online. If the activity takes place outside the university, a video projector is necessary.

Duration: 8 hours divided into 4 parts (4 days, possibly non-consecutive).

Aimed at students in upper secondary school

Contact angelica.venturini@uniupo.it for information and bookings

Abstract. How do you solve an equation? In this seminar, we discover the story of how we managed to discover the resolution formulas for algebraic equations. We will mention how the conception of number has partly influenced this process, and how this process has in turn influenced the idea of number. However, we will focus on the history of these formulas: who discovered them first? How have they been received by the mathematics community? And what impact did they have? We will discover that mathematics is not a detached application of pre-established formulas, but a real art where intuition, imagination and the exchange of ideas allow us to develop thinking.

Possibility of carrying out a workshop face-to-face.

Available to carry out the activity in university or in a school according to needs, or online. It should be noted that the teacher does not have a car. A project is necessary.

Duration: 2 hours (seminar of around 90 minutes plus discussion). 

Aimed at students in upper secondary school

Contact angelica.venturini@uniupo.it for information and bookings.

Abstract. The space around us seems clearly structured according to a precise geometry: Euclidean geometry. Although at first glance this seems like a solid and irrefutable theory, there are however some seemingly innocuous questions that have engaged mathematicians for almost two millennia, finally revealing themselves to be fundamental and heavily influencing all of the most recent mathematics, with effects that nowadays even influence our everyday life. In this seminar we will start from the birth of Euclidean geometry and reconstruct the approaches of the various eras, to see finally how a "simple" change of perspective can actually turn out to be a brilliant idea with multiple repercussions.

Possibility of carrying out a workshop face-to-face or by webinar.

The activity can take place in a school or the university according to needs, or online. It should be noted that the teacher does not have a car. A projector is necessary.

Duration: 2 hours (seminar of about 90 minutes plus discussion). 

Aimed at students in upper secondary school

Contact angelica.venturini@uniupo.it for information and bookings

Abstract. Planck's constant is obtained by electrical and optical measurements on light-emitting diodes (LEDs) of different colours.

The electrical measurements are used to obtain the threshold voltage of each LED, at a given current, from the interpolation of the current-voltage curve (I-V) measured by means of a circuit driven by Arduino.

Optical measurements involve determining the peak wavelength (lambda) of each LED using a diffraction grating.

By combining the data of the threshold voltage with that of the frequency of the light radiation (obtained as f = c / lambda) for each LED, Planck's constant is obtained using a linear fit.

Possibility of carrying out a workshop face-to-face

The activity can take place in a school or the university. The following are necessary: 5 V bench power supply, PC with Arduino IDE, room where it is possible to reduce brightness (for optical measurements).

Duration: around 6 hours: introductory lecture (2 hours) + due lab sessions (2 x 2 hours). 

Aimed at students in upper secondary school

Contact angelica.venturini@uniupo.it for information and bookings

Orientation seminar for the degree in Green Chemistry. The challenges that today's Chemistry must face in order to have a green and sustainable future will be highlighted.

Possibility of carrying out a workshop face-to-face or by webinar

The activity can take place in a school or the university according to need. Duration: 60 minutes

Aimed at students in upper secondary school

Starting from the search for a definition of "Fake news", we want to examine its characteristics to try to understand if it is a new phenomenon compared to the disinformation of the past. We will also try to understand why we fall victim to it so easily, thus looking for an escape route which, while not impossible, will present itself as extremely complex.

Possibility of carrying out a workshop face-to-face or by webinar

Available to carry out the activity in a school or the university according to needs. If the activity takes place outside the university, a projector is required. The teacher is not available in October 2022.

Duration: 120 minutes

Aimed at students in upper secondary school

The speech will focus on the fascination of conspiracy, which no one can completely escape. The reasons will be sought by starting from an analysis of human nature, in search of the best antidotes that everyone can find within themselves.

Possibility of carrying out a workshop face-to-face or by webinar

Available to carry out the activity in a school or the university according to needs.

Duration: 120 minutes

Aimed at students in upper secondary school

The project involves the analysis of two paintings of Divisionism, one by Filiberto Minozzi and one by Angelo Barabino, held in the Pinacoteca of the Cassa di Risparmio di Tortona Foundation, using both non-invasive techniques in situ (FORS) and micro-invasive techniques in the laboratory (Raman). The non-invasive analysis will be preceded by the creation of a standard paint palette from which the students will produce a database of FORS spectra useful for the recognition of pigments and dyes in the two paintings. The Raman analysis will then be performed on micro-samples taken from the paintings in areas for which the FORS analysis will not have given a reliable response. The results of the analysis will then be discussed to verify whether the palette outlined is compatible with the historical attribution of the two paintings.

Duration: 30 hours

Calendar: 20/03/2023, 2-4pm; 27/03/2023, 2-6pm; 29/03/2023, 9-11am; 30/03/2023, 9am-1pm; 03/04/2023, 9-11am; 13/04/2023, 2-6pm; 25/05/2023, 9-11am; 26/05/2023, 2-4pm.

Aimed at students in scientific upper secondary school

The activity involves analysis of pigments in the series of frescoes in the Church of the Santissima Trinità in Momo (Novara), datable between the 15th and 16th centuries. Students will carry out non-invasive analysis with portable instruments, and micro-invasive analysis in the laboratory on samples taken from the paints. Subsequently, the results will be discussed together with the UPO tutor, integrating data from the two diagnostic approaches (non-invasive and micro-invasive) and evaluating their strengths and weaknesses.

Duration: 15 hours

Calendar: negotiable, for September 2023.

Aimed at secondary school students.