The virtuous integration of Geoscience research and educational projects: examples from the Piemonte region

Involving students in field research activities significantly enhances their disciplinary knowledge, soft skills, and awareness of the relevance of geosciences in daily life. This was demonstrated through a project integrating geoscience research with educational initiatives in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Piedmont's vineyard landscapes (Langhe-Roero and Monferrato) and the Sesia Val Grande Global Geopark. The study, conducted as part of Italy's MIUR Plan for enhancing scientific degrees (PLS 2015-17), employed inquiry-based learning, cooperative activities, and multimedia tools to engage upper secondary education students and teachers. Satisfaction questionnaires confirmed that this approach effectively improved student engagement and understanding, highlighting the potential of integrating research with outreach in geoscience education.

Lozar, F., Giardino, M., Magagna, A., Palomba, M., Perotti, L., & Selvaggio, I. (2019). The virtuous integration of Geoscience research and educational projects: examples from the Piemonte region. Rendiconti Online Della Società Geologica Italiana, 49, 69–77. https://doi.org/10.3301/rol.2019.54