FAQ
How do you apply for a project for the Festival?
First, you need to carefully read the participation call. The call indicates:
- The type of proposals allowed
- The fundamental characteristics that each proposal must have to be included in the Festival program (scientific value, high interactivity, engagement, originality, etc.)
- Duration of the proposal within the Festival calendar
- Deadlines and useful dates
Can all schools participate in the Schools Call?
All schools that meet the requirements of the Schools Call can participate. Nursery, primary and secondary schools of I and II degree without distinction between public or private schools can apply for projects. ITS and Universities fall instead in the Private Call.
Can schools outside the province of Bergamo also participate?
Of course! Institutes from other provinces can also participate in the Call by proposing in-person workshops at their school premises.
How many workshops can a school submit?
We do not have a limit, but we recommend focusing on a limited number of activities in order to better take care of the contents, interactivity and ensure opening for the entire Festival period.
How long does a workshop have to remain open?
We ask that the activity be available for at least an entire week of the Festival, from Monday to Sunday.
And if we could not guarantee the opening on the weekend?
It is still possible to submit a proposal, but we ask for an extra effort if possible, in order to offer the workshop experience not only to a school audience but also to families and individuals on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
On which days must the workshop be open to schools wishing to visit it?
For schools, the workshop must be open during school hours, therefore in the morning from Monday to Friday (even on Saturday if the target is upper secondary schools). Saturday afternoon and Sunday are instead time slots reserved for an audience of families and generic public.
There is no afternoon opening during the week.
How many classes can be involved in the design of the activity?
We do not have a limit, but because the experience of designing and delivering the workshop has an effective educational value, we suggest working with a limited number of classes, so that it can be an enriching and educational experience for students.
Will students have to guide the workshop?
Of course! They will be the real protagonists! The workshop will be an opportunity to get involved, try your hand at the role of guide with your classmates and experience a new way of doing science! Make way for the young!
How many students are needed to deliver a workshop?
There is no defined number of students, but we hope that a student can try their hand at the role of guide for at least three days so that they can improve, correct any errors and learn as much as possible from this important educational opportunity.
Who is the Project Manager?
The project manager is the teacher who, together with the students, took care of the conception and design of the workshop. They are the person who knows the scientific content of the activity in detail; who has a clear understanding of the educational goals of the workshop; who followed the development of the activity during the conception period.
The project manager is the teacher who, precisely because of these skills, can be contacted by the School Committee if it needs further clarification regarding the contents of the workshop.
Who is the Operational Manager?
The operational manager is the teacher who concretely and operationally coordinates and manages the workshop together with the students. Their tasks include: training students to be autonomous in guiding the activity with the audience present; always supervising the activity during its execution; checking the reservations for their workshop; transmitting daily attendance through the dedicated app (instructions will be sent for these last two points).
The operational manager is the person with whom the Festival Secretariat interacts to obtain information and manage the various phases of the school's participation in the Festival. The operational manager is required to periodically check their email and provide a mobile phone number for any emergencies.
Can the project manager and the operational manager be the same person?
Yes, one teacher can cover both roles.
Who manages the workshop reservations?
Reservations will be collected directly through our website. From their personal area, the operational manager can monitor the progress. They can download the reservation file where the details will be indicated, including: number of registrants, class, school and the contact of the teacher who made the reservation so that they can be contacted if needed.
How do we know if our workshop proposal has been accepted?
The Festival Secretariat will send an email after the Call closes and after the School Committee has evaluated the projects.
Can the School Committee contact the teachers who submitted the workshop proposals?
The role of the Committee is to support schools that intend to submit projects, in case they present any critical issues in terms of content, scientific value and interactivity. The members of the Committee have the right to contact the project managers if they need more detailed information or to arrange an informal meeting to visit the workshop already in the conception phase.
Can the activity of designing and delivering the workshop for the Festival be recognised as PCTO?
Yes, certainly. It must be indicated in the application in the appropriate section. In this case, we recommend activating or renewing the agreement from the spring.
What is attendance collection?
It is very important for us to know how many visitors and schools participate in the Festival as an audience. We therefore ask you to help us collect attendance at the workshops using the app we have prepared. The app allows you to confirm a reservation upon the arrival of the class or to enter non-booked visitors. All you need is a connected smartphone!
Is it mandatory to attend both days to participate in La Scienza in Piazza?
Yes, it is mandatory. Usually Saturday morning is dedicated to setting up, while Saturday afternoon and Sunday all day are for opening to the public.
Do students also have to participate?
Absolutely yes! As with the Festival workshops, School in the Square will also be managed by school students, the real protagonists of the event.
