Seminary and Copernico High School join forces in a cultural outreach project
On Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th June the Seminary opened its doors to the city to present the Natural History Museum and the astronomical instruments of Cardinal Pietro Maffi (Corteolona 1858-Pisa 1931).
The opening of the Museum, a hidden gem of the Seminary begun between the late 18th and early 19th centuries, is the result of the fruitful collaboration between the Episcopal Seminary of Pavia and its rector, Dr. Don Giovanni Iacono, and the “Niccolò Copernico” State Scientific High School of Pavia and its Director, Dr. Paola Donatella Penna.
As part of the PON "Summer School" projects, Copernico High School developed, among other things, the "Cope under the Stars" programme, expanding on a similar project that was launched on an experimental basis last school year. The 25 students who participated were guided by teachers Antonio Rovelli and Cinzia Camerino to explore basic astronomy, creating their own astrolabe, nocturlabe, and sundial, and setting up light devices reproducing the constellations. The cultural programme concluded with the opening of the Natural History Museum and the presentation of Cardinal Maffi's astronomical instruments, appropriately "studied" and "resurrected." Students were the real protagonists of the days because, as guides, they accompanied the 500 visitors to discover the history and art of the ancient monastery of Santa Maria Teodote, in the description of the different sections of the Museum and in the presentation of the astronomical instruments that were on display together with the Registers of Observations of shooting stars and meteorological surveys and the splendid Chronicle by Jacopo d'Acqui from 1340.
The inauguration, which took place on Saturday, June 14, at 9:00 a.m., was attended by Dr. Paola Patrucchi of the Province of Pavia, Dr. Michele Lissia, Mayor of Pavia, Dr. Giampaolo Anfosso, Councilor for Education Policies, and Dr. Noemi Sartore of the Territorial School Office. The University was present with Dr. Stefano Maretti, curator of the Zoology section of the Kosmos Museum, and Dr. Assunta Zanetti of Lab Talento. These were splendid days, rich in cultural and scientific insights, which saw brilliant young people lead the city by the hand to discover its beauty. At the end of the programme, plans were made for future collaboration opportunities, public openings, and guided tours.
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