The participation of female students is growing. Bianchi: "Astronomy is an extraordinary tool for bringing young people closer to science"
The proclamation and award ceremony of the XX edition of the Astronomy Olympics took place on 28 May in Perugia. In 82 they faced the final challenge for the podium. The finalists for the J2 and Senior categories had to pass two tests: a theoretical and a practical test.
The final stages of the competition for the J2 and Senior categories took place in Perugia, from 26 to 28 April, and for the J1 category in Reggio Calabria, from 3 to 5 May. The selection process began last December with the competition which took place simultaneously in the 232 participating schools. Of the 7.416 enrolled in the pre-selection phase, 752 students were selected for the interregional phase and, among these, the 82 finalists.
The award ceremony, in attendance, was held at the University of Perugia. The first five classified, in each of the two categories, received a medal dedicated to astrophysics Margherita Hack; on the other hand, the jury awarded a diploma of merit to the female students who ranked between sixth and tenth place. The 5 winners of the Senior category will participate in the International Astronomy Olympics to be held in Matera in October.
Interest in the Astronomy Olympics is growing more and more: in particular, the participation of female students, which in this edition was 45%, is increasing, as is that of girls and boys from classical high schools and technical institutes.
The Astronomy Olympics are organized by the Ministry of Education with the scientific contribution of the Italian Astronomical Society (SAIt) and the National Institute of Astrophysics (INAF). They are aimed at first and second grade secondary schools and are included in the Excellencies program of the Ministry of Education.
“Congratulations to the students who have participated, ever more numerous and passionate, in these Astronomy Olympics,” said the Minister of Education Patrizio Bianchi. “Astronomy is an extraordinary tool to bring young people closer to science, to feed curiosity and stimulate the fascination for the study of phenomena. Astronomy has been part of human history since ancient times. We have always wondered about the mysteries and life in the universe and it is through careful and insatiable observation of celestial phenomena that we learn to orient ourselves and thus also know our place in the world. "Astronomy also teaches us that in life, a every age, we must continue to study, to ask ourselves questions, to elaborate theories and to confront ourselves because there is still a lot to know ".
The names of the overall winners:
Junior Category 1:
- Pontil Ceste Valentina - ICS of S. Stefano di Cadore and Comelico S., S. Stefano di Cadore (BL)
- Cristallo Sebastiano - Comprehensive Institute 'M. Hack ', Castellalto (TE)
- Luca Mussetola - Comprehensive Institute 'Ugo da Como', Lonato del Garda (BS)
- Fiordaliso Roberta - State Comprehensive Institute 'Carducci V. da Feltre', Reggio Calabria
- Dandrea Giulio - State Middle School 'R. Zardini ', Cortina d'Ampezzo (BL)
Junior Category 2:
- Brunetta Riccardo - 'Leopardi-Majorana' Scientific High School, Pordenone
- Cusimano Andrea - Scientific High School 'T. Levi Civita ', Rome
- Marino Raffaello Pio - Classical High School 'T. Campanella ', Reggio Calabria
- Leccese Francesco - Scientific High School 'G. Banzi Bazoli ', Lecce
- Sgoifo Riccardo - Higher Education Institute 'A. Malignani ', Udine
Senior Category:
- Tivan Matteo - Scientific High School and State SA “S. Pellico - G. Peano ”- Cuneo
- Mandaglio Alessandra - Liceo Scient. and of the SA State "Leonardo da Vinci" - Reggio Calabria
- Rucco Matteo Maria - Scientific High School and State SA “E. Fermi "- Aversa (CE)
- Vernacotola Matteo - Liceo Scientifico and of the SA “Nomentano” - Rome
- Luppino Chiara - Liceo Scient. and of the SA State "Leonardo da Vinci" - Reggio Calabria
Diplomas of merit
Junior Category 2:
- Carpineta Francesco - Higher Education Institute 'A. Malignani ', Udine
- Of the Laws of Laws - Liceo Scientifico 'G. Banzi Bazoli ', Lecce
- Gravina Cristian Cajani - Scientific High School 'G. Galilei ', Catania
- Guariso Edoardo - 'GB Ferrari' Higher Education Institute, Este (PD)
- Sbardellotto Samuele - 'Galilei-Tiziano' Higher Education Institute, Belluno
Senior Category:
- Caggese Alessandra - Scientific High School 'E. Fermi ', Bari
- Chiacchio Silvia - Scientific High School and SA 'Leonardo da Vinci', Reggio Calabria
- Cristaudo Gabriele - Scientific High School 'G. Galilei ', Catania
- Weiss Lorenzo - Higher Education Institute 'G. Marconi ', Conegliano (TV)
- Plastina Francesco - Scientific High School and SA Stat. 'F. Ribezzo ', Francavilla Fontana (BR)