Five days in Macugnana, at the foot of Monte Rosa, exploring the topic of natural radioactivity and finding out more about its geological origins and biological and environmental effects. More than thirty students in the final years of high schools from different Italian regions participated in the INFN initiative “RadioLab Summer School” from 10 to 15 September.
Led by medical physics students and INFN researchers, the students, together with some teachers, spent five days doing direct measurements of radioactivity in the mountain environment and attending seminars run by glaciology and geology experts. The Summer School was also the chance to discover the culture of the local population, the Walser, and explore the theme of the mountain in literature.
The RadioLab Summer School is one initiative implemented as part of the RadioLab and ISOradioLAb projects. Since 2004 and 2021 respectively, INFN has run these projects for secondary schools throughout Italy and, in particular, in the minor islands, to involve young people in discovering natural radioactivity. The goal is to promote knowledge of this issue and its importance for health thanks to experimental activities and direct measurements, especially of the natural radioactive gas radon-222.
