RESEARCH AND EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH

Abstract

The Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV) is one of principal Italian institution dealing with Earth Sciences research. INGV is also in charge of the real-time seismic and volcanic surveillance, and of the early warning and forecast activities. Italy is a seismic and volcanic country and it is therefore important the social role of a correct information on natural hazards and its implication on social and cultural aspects. The Laboratorio Didattica e Divulgazione Scientifica of the INGV organizes intense educational and outreach activities in the consciousness that preparedness is the best way to live with and to mitigate natural hazards. These activities partially respond to a significant demand from the Society; one question is which are the most effective and authoritative approaches to be developed to fulfill this demand. The Annuario Scienza e Società 2011, even if outlines a scarce level of scientific knowledge among citizens, highlights a growing demand for information on science and technology. For the majority of people the main source of scientific notions are newspapers, where the exposition of science-related news is constantly increasing. On the other hand, public Conferences that allow a direct relationship with researcher represent the most reliable scientific informative contest, as well as the Web sites of scientific institutions and the researchers blogs. These data emphasize the importance of the social role of science institutions and the need of an active and responsible involvement of research in educational outreach. This represents one of the aim of our educational activity. This talk give an overview of our activities with regards to research-community interactions.