Improving secondary students’ scientific literacy and laboratory skills: the Italian Project “Scientific Degrees”

An overview of the Italian National Project “Progetto Lauree Scientifiche” (PLS, Scientific Degrees Project is presented (http://www.progettolaureescientifiche.eu/). The Project, established in 2005 by the Ministry of Education, University and Research, was initially aimed at addressing the constant decrease, since 2000, in the enrolment of secondary school students in tertiary scientific education. The involved University degrees have been: Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Sciences of Materials. Due to the strong focus on motivating students towards scientific-related professional careers, the Project was developed in cooperation also with the Italian National Board of Industries, to give students an informed view about employment possibilities in industrial companies. From the scientific viewpoint, the main objectives have been to: enhance knowledge of Science contents and perception about Nature of Science through laboratory activities that actively involve students; improve competences of in-service teachers on laboratory activities focusing on both contents and methodological aspects; help students become aware of their own scientific knowledge and of the pre-requisites requested to take full advantage of the University curricula; deepen special Science topics for the most motivated students. In this paper, a brief overview of the PLS Project is presented. Then, emblematic activities carried at the Naples Department of Physics are described. Finally, some conclusions are drawn