Eni presents Lab4energy: energy as told by the young

San Donato Milanese (Milan), 28 May 2013 - Tomorrow sees the conclusion of Eni’s Lab4energy project, carried out in collaboration with the Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei. The event will be held in the Hall of Honour of the Triennale di Milano at 2:30 PM. The venture involves 24 young people from 8 Italian high schools.

As part of the digital teaching programme promoted by eniscuola (through the website www.eniscuola.it), Lab4energy turned to the principals of Italian high schools (technical colleges and science schools) in Brindisi, Potenza, Ravenna, Genoa, Ferrara, Mantua, Rome and Milan, and asked them to select three of their best fourth-year students. The requirements were average marks of eight out of ten in the various school subjects and a good knowledge of the English language. The aim was to deal with a high profile scientific theme encouraging different points of view on the crucial issues of energy, contributing to the construction of critical thinking in young people.

Since 21st January the students have used online resources outside school hours (from home computers or through work stations provided in the schools) through the use of a specially designed platform, and have interacted with thirty-two internationally renowned academics, including Reyerd Gerlagh of Tilburg University, Sir Harold W. Kroto,1996 Nobel Prize winner for Chemistry, Nora Selmet of the International Energy Agency, Sergio Carrà of the Lincei Academy, Alberto Clò Professor of Applied Economics at the University of Bologna, and professors from the Polytechnic of Milan and other Italian universities, as well as leading managers from the energy world, among which Eni’s Ceo Paolo Scaroni.

During the 60-90 minute sessions, the students were able to interact with the academics on a live chat connection, asking questions and requesting further information in real time.

Tomorrow the final day at the Triennale, Riccardo Luna – journalist, president of Wikitalia and editor in chief of CheFuturo! – will chair the session in front of an audience of students and managers from the world of energy. The young people will be divided into groups and will debate with each other through presentations, based on the TED model (Technology, Entertainment, Design - www.ted.com); on one of the topics covered, for a maximum of 12 minutes. The best group will be chosen by the scientific committee, which includes representatives of Eni, Legambiente, the school itself and other academics. Their prize will be a week-long trip to Boston, with visits to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology - MIT campus and meetings with professors and students from this prestigious American university, noted for excellence in research worldwide.