From 4 to 11 February 2026, the National Week of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) will take place throughout Italy. The initiative was established by Law 187/2023 and is promoted by the Ministry of University and Research (MUR). The initiative involves the research and academic communities with the aim of bringing younger generations closer to scientific and technological disciplines, fostering interest, curiosity, and passion, also in view of future educational and professional paths in the STEM fields. The week concludes on 11 February, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, a theme to which INFN dedicates a video campaign on its Facebook and Instagram channels as part of the #WomenInScience initiative.In addition, during the STEM Week, numerous initiatives organized by INFN in collaboration with universities and research institutions will take place across the country.
For Students
On 6 February, the INFN Naples Section will organize an introductory day to the various IPPOG masterclasses scheduled throughout 2026, with a focus on particle and high-energy physics experiments, including ATLAS, a detector at the CERN LHC accelerator; Pierre Auger, a cosmic-ray detector located in the Argentine Pampas; and Belle II, a detector at the SuperKEKB accelerator in Japan. Participating students will attend seminars offering an overview of quantum mechanics, relativity, particle physics, and astroparticle physics.
11 February – International Day of Women and Girls in Science
On the occasion of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, masterclasses and special events will be held in many cities, coordinated by INFN sections and local physics departments, and aimed at upper secondary school students. These include activities coordinated by the International Particle Physics Outreach Group (IPPOG).
In Rome (University of Tor Vergata and Sapienza University) and in Cosenza (University of Calabria), the masterclasses will be exclusively dedicated to female students. For one day, participants will take on the role of researchers in the ATLAS experiment at CERN in Geneva, retracing the path that led to the discovery of the Z boson and the Higgs boson (Nobel Prize in Physics 2013). The day will conclude with a live connection with CERN, during which the results obtained will be discussed together with “colleagues” from across Europe.
Other Events
In Frascati (Rome), the Frascati National Laboratories will host the event
“Chi vuol essere STEM sia! From gender stereotypes to the PASSION that sparks ideas in science”, organized by INFN-CUG in collaboration with the Equal Opportunity Committees of ASI, ENEA, CREA, INAF, ISS, ISTAT, and Sapienza University of Rome. The event aims to promote full and equal access to science for women and girls.
In Salerno and Pavia, Particle Therapy Masterclasses will be held, focusing on advanced medical physics techniques used in cancer treatment. Students will be involved in cutting-edge research activities, guided by experts in the field. As in other initiatives, the experience will conclude with an international videoconference, simulating a real scientific collaboration.
In Cagliari, students will once again engage in hands-on activities in particle physics through a masterclass designed by the Department of Physics of the University of Cagliari and the INFN Section, in collaboration with the INAF Astronomical Observatory and the CNR Institute of Materials Science (IOM). Activities will include the analysis of real CERN experimental data, research on new materials, computer simulations of matter at the atomic level, and an introduction to Fast Radio Bursts, extremely energetic astrophysical phenomena of still unknown origin.
For Teachers
As part of the PID – INFN Programme for Teachers, aimed at upper secondary school science teachers, a professional development course will be held from 2 to 6 February at the Frascati National Laboratories.
The PID focuses on nuclear physics, astroparticle physics, and, specifically in Frascati, accelerator physics, combining theoretical lessons with experimental activities and strengthening the link between research and education.
On 5 February, in Cagliari, the INFN Section, in collaboration with the University’s Department of Physics, will organize a course on the energy transition for upper secondary school teachers. The programme includes an initial part dedicated to energy transition technologies, followed by an in-depth session on science education, with contributions from experts from the University of Bologna.
