Project “Carbon Footprint through Digital Art. New Didactic Models for Teaching Science” is financed by the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research and promoted by the Fondazione Mondo Digitale in collaboration with Sapienza University of Rome.

The project aims to develop didactic material to explain the phenomenon of the carbon footprint through the creative potential of digital art. By stimulating creativity and using new multimedia tools, digital art provides a new and innovative world of communication to simply and efficiently raise awareness about complex scientific and technological concepts that have an important impact on our lives. Thus, the project will develop new didactic methodologies through art and new technology to inform the younger generations on this crucial phenomenon for sustainable development: the carbon footprint.

Length

The project will last 9 months from November 2016 to July 2017.

Project Phases and Activities

The Project is organised into 3 macro-phases:

• Research and methodology: creation of a scientific-artistic group development and development of the methodology.
• Development of scientific-artistic products and work in schools: workshops, labs, creation of works, and testing and evaluation.
• Promotion: creation of a network and promotion of results; exhibition of works at the Rome Media Art Festival 2017; preparation of educational material and publishing of results.

Objectives

• Raise awareness on the importance of the carbon footprint for daily life and sustainable development on our planet;
• Increase visibility and information on the carbon footprint;
• Promote a culture of innovation and digitalisation and the creative use of digital tools;
• Promote technical-scientific culture in school, even through initiatives involving and promoting contacts between students and the world of research and enterprise;
• Develop new didactic methodologies addressing the carbon footprint through art and digital technology.

Target

The project targets include students and teachers, particularly second-degree secondary schools, as well as institutes, universities, reseach centres and companies. In particular, schools include both those producing works and those enjoying them.

Expected Results

The project aims to identify new ways to raise awareness on the carbon footprint phenomenon and, in particular, to enrich the educational experience through the creation of artistic works and didactic methodologies that move beyond mere lessons and scientific notions, providing a transformative character that will propagate beyond the project life cycle.