Science on Stage Italy at Didacta Italia 2026

From 11 to 13 March 2026, the 13th edition of Didacta Italia took place in Florence. Around 20,000 visitors (mainly teachers, education stakeholders, and school operators) along with 520 exhibitors and 2,300 events highlighted the tremendous success of Italy’s leading fair for innovation in education.

Science on Stage Italy was also present and made a significant contribution to the event. Over the three days, the network hosted its own dedicated stand, which became a central hub for teachers, trainers, and education professionals interested in STEM education. The stand offered teaching materials, live demonstrations, and opportunities for direct exchange with network members, with Science on Stage activities presented to all visiting teachers throughout the event.

A highlight of Science on Stage Italy’s participation was the extensive training program: 18 workshops were delivered, covering a wide range of topics from classroom experimentation to innovative approaches in science teaching, all drawing on materials from Science on Stage. Popular sessions included “Chemistry in a Coffee Cup,” “Climate, Diet and AI,” “Math Workout,” “Albedo and Ice,” and “AI and Robotics.” A special preview of the Quantum Computing teaching materials, to be officially launched in Berlin in mid-June, was presented by two of the authors alongside Jörg Gutschank, chairman of Science on Stage Germany. On average, 700 teachers attended the workshops, with some sessions reaching full capacity and even going oversubscribed.

The strong turnout reflects a growing interest among educators in hands-on, collaborative teaching methodologies, an area where Science on Stage continues to play a leading role both nationally and across Europe.

Science on Stage Italy’s presence at Didacta 2026 forms part of a broader effort, coordinated by Science on Stage Europe, to disseminate best practices in STEM education, strengthen the teaching community, and promote more engaging, inquiry-based learning in classrooms.

Report: Marco Nicolini