European Researchers’ Night 2026: workshops, experiments and activities for schools in Busto Arsizio

The activities of the European Researchers’ Night return in September, in collaboration with Co.Science 2.0, a project recognised by the European Commission as associated with the MSCA and Citizens initiative of the European Union – HORIZON-MSCA-2025-CITIZENS-01, continuing the work of the Co.Science project (April 2024 – March 2026), coordinated by the National Research Council (CNR).

In Busto Arsizio, research will meet lower and upper secondary school students on Friday 25 September, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at Molini Marzoli, Via A. da Giussano 10. Workshops, talks and experiments will guide participants through different areas of scientific research, from the immune system to DNA, from forensic science to the study of skeletons, as well as the effects of drugs of abuse on vision and the characteristics of natural textile fibres. All activities are by reservation only. For information and registration, please contact marzia.gariboldi@uninsubria.it.

Discovering the immune system and DNA

The programme includes “The immune system: from friend to enemy… and vice versa! And you, which immune system cell are you?”, with three sessions at 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. The activity invites students to explore how the immune system works and the role played by the different cells involved in the body’s immune response.

Genetics will instead be the focus of “Discovering DNA and how to extract it from fruit”, with sessions at 9:30 and 10:15 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. Through a hands-on experience, participants will learn more about DNA and carry out a practical extraction procedure.

Seeing the world through different eyes

The effects of drugs of abuse on perception will be explored in “Seeing the world through different eyes: how drugs of abuse alter vision”, offered in two sessions at 10:00 and 11:15 a.m. The activity will introduce the relationship between drugs of abuse and the functioning of vision.

What skeletons can tell us

With “The secrets of skeletons: learning from human and animal remains”, scheduled at 9:45, 10:45 and 11:45 a.m., students will have the opportunity to explore the study of skeletal remains and discover what information can be obtained from the analysis of human and animal specimens.

Science at the crime scene

Forensic investigation will also feature in the programme with “CSI: Crime Scene”, scheduled at 9:45, 10:45 and 11:45 a.m. The activity introduces students to the scientific disciplines applied to crime scene analysis.

Science in a thread: from nature to fabric

The programme is completed by “Science in a thread: a journey into the world of natural textile fibres”, organised in collaboration with the Textile Museum of Busto Arsizio, with sessions at 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 a.m.

The activity invites participants to observe, experiment and discover the secrets of cotton, linen and silk, following the journey from natural raw material to fabric. It is an opportunity to explore, from a scientific perspective, materials that are also deeply connected to the history and manufacturing identity of the Busto Arsizio area.

The morning at Molini Marzoli will therefore offer students a journey through different disciplines and approaches, all sharing the aim of making science accessible through direct contact with experiments, phenomena and practical applications.

All activities are by reservation only. For information and bookings: marzia.gariboldi@uninsubria.it.