Abstract:

Here I present activities of a new Dissemination Science Project that will be realized in the framework of MEETmeTONIGHT 2019 Event, the annual initiative included in the circuit of the European Researchers' Night events promoted by the European Commission in all European countries. This project aims to create a unique opportunity to meet and to speak with researchers in order to understand how scientific research has an impact in everyday life of all of us.

MEETmeTONIGHT is a two-day event, held the last weekend of September, entirely dedicated to Science, involving Milan, Naples and many other cities of Lombardia and of Campania regions.

Face-to-face interactions will allow discovery firsthand what researchers are doing daily in their laboratories.The interactive workshops, role-playing games, informative talks, free guided visits to museums, moments of game-debate designed to involve citizenship on relevant European issues and other activities will be developed around five major areas of research: "Science and Technology", "Culture and Society", "Environment", "Health" and "Cultural Heritage".

MEETmeTONIGHT takes the world of research out of the Universities without diminishing its complexity or importance, but with the lightness of fun and the strength of direct involvement with an eye towards the active involvement of schools and citizenship, both during the approach phase and during the events scheduled on 27th and 28th of September 2019.

All citizen of all ages can participate by experimenting and experimenting by participating.

The activities that will be proposed also aim to consolidate a bridge between the scientific community of Federico II Biology Department, of the Botanical Garden (Naples, Italy) and the local high school students. To this aim, I have already involved and will involve through non-formal, informal learning and practical activities a selection of students who have carried out or will carry out School-Work and PCTO activities at the Department of Biology.

In cooperation with my colleagues and students, I've designed and we will propose experimental interdisciplinary activities that will revolve around the theme of flowers. We almost all love them for the elegance appearance, their color and sweet scent. However, very few know the molecular basis of their aspect (phenotype), of their color and/or perfume. During the event, as example of innovative teaching attivities will be that to verify how many know what are the genetic factor that allows to inherit that phenotype and/or change it by enriching the biodiversity of our planet and and we will illustrate how and why we are able to see colors and we willl talk about genetic defects that alter our perception of colors.

DNA or protein extraction from flowers of plant species linked to the local gastronomy and culture, gel electrophoresis, extraction and dosage of pigments, observation under microscope of cells and tissues will be among of the proposed and participated avtivities. Memory-themed games that will be used to involve also the children by correlating flower, plant and seed.

In conclusion, this year's novelty will be also the event that I'm organizing with training seminars directed also to High Schools teachers that should draw inspiration for an innovative teaching springed out from research on a captivating theme that fits in the interest that the plants are taking in the field of the green economy and healthy eating.

Keywords:

Life sciences, science popularization, science education and dissemination, game-debate, role-playing games, Innovative Teaching and Learning, Smart gadgeds.