Who we are

Our story

Siamo studenti, insegnanti e ricercatori che credono che la scienza si impari meglio
facendola, collaborando e imparando dagli errori.
HoPE del Liceo Scientifico “A. Roiti” di Ferrara è nato per dare spazio alla curiosità e
alla voglia di costruire con le proprie mani e imparare facendo, collaborando fra pari e
guidati da mentor.
Con il supporto del Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) e dell’Istituto
Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN), portiamo avanti un percorso che unisce fantasia,
scienza e lavoro di squadra.

The Liceo Scientifico “A. Roiti” began collaborating with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 2014, joining the Global Teaching Lab (GTL) project to promote international teaching experiences based on the “learn while teaching” approach.

This collaboration led to a MIT training scholarship for Prof. Trevissoi, who attended the Science and Engineering Program for Teachers (SEPT) in 2015, with a strong focus on Hands-on Physics at the MIT Edgerton Center.

In January 2018, thanks to the support of the school leadership and the University of Ferrara (UniFe), the Hands on Physics Experience (HoPE) with MIT was officially launched. During an intensive week of workshops with Ed Moriarty and his MIT team, students worked on their first real physics and engineering project, concluding with a public presentation entirely led by the students themselves.

From 2018 onward, HoPE attracted international collaborations (Germany, Spain, South America) and evolved into a student-led program, with an internal structure including mentors and student leadership, alongside a significant growth in female participation in STEAM.

In 2023, the project expanded nationally with the inclusion of the Liceo “Leonardo Da Vinci” of Maglie, followed in 2024/2025 by the Liceo “Antonio Labriola” of Ostia, in collaboration with the INFN.

This growing network enabled the organization of the first HoPE Hackathon at the University of Ferrara, bringing together students, teachers, MIT researchers and Italian university tutors in a collaborative design experience.

At the end of the academic year, eight students from across Italy were selected to participate in the 2025 Engineering Design Workshop (EDW) at the MIT Edgerton Center, confirming the continuity, quality and expansion of the HoPE educational model.