Leonardo da Vinci urged his pupils to “study the science of art, study the art of science.” More than 500 years later, it remains sage advice – especially so on World Creativity Day when some 100,000 people worldwide are celebrating the creative process.
Da Vinci is one of many great historical innovators who are featured in the “STEAMPlay” project supported by Aramco Europe, which aims to encourage learning through play in the homeland of the Italian master.
Gamification
Fondazione Politecnico di Milano and Aramco Europe have teamed up to help Italian schoolchildren embrace Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) through developing computer games about the personalities who have changed the world through the ages.
Mazin Dabbagh, President & CEO of Aramco Europe, said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity of working with Fondazione Politecnico di Milano on this important and impactful initiative which supports our wider commitment to the development of the skills that drive technological advancement.
“This initiative highlights the need to encourage the creative process among the innovators of tomorrow through the gamification of learning and the celebration of the great change makers who have gone before.”
Citizenship
Supporting the teaching and learning of subjects that drive innovation is a cornerstone of Aramco’s global citizenship program which aims to positively impact the communities where the company operates.
STEAMPlay is the latest collaboration between Fondazione Politecnico di Milano and Aramco Europe and follows the inauguration of new laboratories in three technical schools in Italy’s southern regions last year.
The project is focused on secondary school students aged 11 to 14 and aims to tackle high school drop-out while also overcoming stereotypes and cultural barriers that still hinder the full participation of girls and women in science and technology career paths.
Women in Science
The program also included a theatrical performance titled ‘Six Women who Changed the World’, hosted by Italian physicist and writer Gabriella Greison. The show celebrated the stories of women pioneers in science, who challenged the conventions of their time to pave the way for revolutionary discoveries: The trailblazers featured in the performance were physicists Marie Curie and Lise Meitner, mathematician Emmy Noether, chemist Rosalind Franklin, the actress and inventor Hedy Lamarr; and Mileva Maric, physicist and mathematician.
Politecnico di Milano will host the final STEAMPlay event on May 14, which will include presentations of some of the games developed by the students.
