SMART-electron at “Treffpunkt Europa – für eine inklusive Zukunft
Title: Arconate–Velbert Student Exchange Week
Date: 16–21 February 2025
Location: Liceo d’Arconate e Buscate, Arconate, Italy
From 16 to 21 February 2025, SMART-electron co-organised the international education initiative “Treffpunkt Europa – für eine inklusive Zukunft” alongside the Liceo d’Arconate e Buscate (Italy) and the Geschwister-Scholl-Gymnasium Velbert (Germany). Held within the framework of the Erasmus+ Programme, the initiative brought together Italian and German high school students for a week of collaborative learning focused on inclusion, intercultural dialogue, and the role of science and education in shaping a shared European future.
SMART-electron contributed to the planning and delivery of the scientific programme, with its researchers actively involved in workshop design and public engagement. Notably, two SMART-electron-affiliated speakers, Prof. Stefano Carlo Cecchi and Prof. Giovanni Maria Vanacore from the University of Milano-Bicocca, led the opening session titled “Global Horizons: The World Is My Workspace”, which explored global scientific careers and the social relevance of quantum technologies.
Over the course of the week, students participated in hands-on group work, attended thematic workshops, and explored local and regional institutions, including a guided visit to Milan and the Lombardy Regional Council. Additional sessions covered topics such as international study experiences and the everyday impact of language on inclusivity, featuring speakers from both academia and civil society.
The programme concluded with final presentations from student teams, highlighting the outcomes of their intercultural and interdisciplinary collaboration. A farewell event brought the week to a close in a celebratory atmosphere.
By co-organising this Erasmus+ exchange, SMART-electron strengthened its commitment to science education, mobility, and inclusion. The initiative reinforced the value of transnational collaboration and demonstrated the potential of integrating advanced research themes—such as quantum science—into participatory educational experiences for young European learners.
