Continue the Exploration: 5 More Unmissable STEM Experiences in Italy - Part 2

Picking up where we left off... Explore Together: 5 Unmissable STEM Adventures in Italy - Part 1

Cascata delle Marmore: A Masterpiece of Nature and Engineering

The Cascata delle Marmore in Umbria is Europe's tallest artificial waterfall (165 metres), created by the Romans in 271 BC to drain the Rieti Plain. It is an extraordinary example of how ancient hydraulic engineering has shaped the Italian landscape for over 2,000 years.

The Cascata delle Marmore is located in the province of Terni, in Umbria, and is the tallest artificial waterfall in Europe. The fact that it is artificial does not diminish the visit, as it is a work of hydraulic engineering dating back to the Romans. Around 271 BC, the Roman consul Manius Curius Dentatus ordered the construction of a canal to drain the stagnant waters of the Velino River towards the Nera, diverting the river's course and forming the Cascata delle Marmore. The canal was made necessary by the serious problems created by the Velino's passage through the Rieti Plain, whose particular terrain configuration created a stagnant swamp dangerous for the local population, particularly for the city of Terni, due to frequent flooding and the unhealthy environment favourable to the spread of epidemics.

Over time, other interventions were carried out to combat flooding during the high-water periods of both rivers, which caused considerable hardship for inhabitants of the surrounding areas. Two new canals were built, one in 1422 by the engineer Aristotile Fioravanti and another in 1547 by Antonio Da Sangallo, but the danger of flooding persisted. It was only with two further interventions, in 1601 and 1787, that the waterfall assumed its current appearance.

Città della Scienza - Naples: A Journey into the Universe of Science

Città della Scienza is a vast museum area dedicated to STEM exhibitions in the city of Naples. Science communication is the primary mission of this attraction — you can participate in interactive workshops and exhibitions on various disciplines suitable for both young children and high school students. The complex houses the largest and most advanced planetarium in Italy. The planetarium is an extraordinary attraction where you can attend projections and shows about the mysteries of the Universe and much more. The Planetarium is a simulator of the night sky, a tool for teaching and communicating astronomy that faithfully reproduces the celestial vault and the astronomical objects that populate the universe. It has a diameter of 20 metres and a full 120 seats. The state-of-the-art equipment and the special positioning of the dome ensure a completely immersive experience for the viewer, complemented by acoustics that guarantee the audience a unique and enveloping spectacle of the universe.

Florence and Its Scientific Heritage: The Museo Galileo

Museo Galileo, in Florence, is the leading Italian museum dedicated to the history of science. Within the museum complex, the scientific collections of the Medici family and the House of Lorraine are housed.

Among the exhibited objects, you can see mathematical, optical, astronomical, surgical, and navigational instruments. There is also a small collection of pocket watches, including some manufactured in the final years of the sixteenth century.

At the museum, you can admire the authentic telescope with which Galileo, in 1609, observed Jupiter's moons for the first time in history: one of the most important scientific discoveries of the century, which paved the way for numerous other innovations and was, for example, of great importance in determining the speed of light.

In the Heart of Fire: Mount Etna Park

The Italian landscape is one of the most varied in the world: plains, striking mountains, great glacial lakes, glaciers, beautiful beaches, and... volcanoes! One of the most beautiful volcanoes in the world is undoubtedly Mount Etna. Standing at over 3,000 metres in altitude, it towers over the entire island of Sicily.

Unlike Vesuvius, which is often dormant, Etna erupts regularly, offering thousands of tourists a breathtaking experience. Within the Mount Etna park complex, you can organise tours to the summit craters — there are mainly three. Additionally, you can venture into the bowels of the lava giant through the numerous volcanic caves that adorn the entire volcanic edifice. Accompanied by an expert guide, you can visit seven main volcanic caves that once bubbled with molten lava.

Beneath the Abruzzo Apennines: The Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso

Beneath the imposing rock of the Abruzzo Apennines lies the largest scientific complex in the entire world: the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso. The main research field at the laboratories is particle physics: important research has been conducted on dark matter detection. But why is this laboratory situated in the heart of the Gran Sasso? To study nuclear and subnuclear physics, ultra-sensitive equipment is required — equipment that is affected by cosmic rays that, even though we are not aware of it, strike the Earth at every moment. Under a 1,400-metre layer of rock, background radiation is lower than on the surface, making experiments on neutrinos and other subatomic particles practically undisturbed by background radiation, which is reduced by a factor of one million compared to the surface.

The laboratory used to organise visits for tourists, a service that has not been restored since the Covid-19 pandemic. The scientific complex's website indicates that it will reopen soon. We hope this is the case and that it will be possible once again to visit one of our country's centres of excellence.

FAQ

Can you visit the Cascata delle Marmore year-round?

Yes, the waterfall is open year-round, but water flow follows scheduled times because it powers a hydroelectric plant. It is essential to check the official website for water release times before visiting.

Is the Planetarium at Città della Scienza suitable for children?

Yes, the planetarium offers shows differentiated by age group. Programmes for children from age 5 use simple language and engaging visuals. For older visitors, there are projections on astrophysics, space exploration, and mysteries of the universe.

Can you safely see Mount Etna eruptions?

Yes, excursions to the summit craters are conducted with authorized volcanological guides who monitor activity in real time. Accessible areas change based on the alert level. It is a unique experience to observe an active volcano up close.

Why are the Gran Sasso Laboratories underground?

The 1,400 metres of rock above the laboratories blocks cosmic rays, reducing background radiation by a factor of one million compared to the surface. This allows ultra-sensitive experiments on neutrinos and dark matter impossible elsewhere.