Meeting in Italy, Benevento (C3)

Benevento and Naples, Italy were visited from 6/11/2022 - 12/11/2022, the Informatics teacher Mr. Barekos Vasileios (project coordinator) and the Technology teacher Mr. Evangelou Efthymios as companions of the students of the 2nd Gymnasium of Samos (Alexandridis Isidoros, Tsoumakis Emmanouil, Mavratzoti Foteini, Kayopoulou Chrysopigi, Vlachogianni Maria and Sotiraki Foteini) within the framework of the Erasmus+ program "New Technologies, New Worlds".

This was the 3rd mobility C3 of this project with code 2020-1-ES01-KA229-081965_3 which started in September 2020 and (with the extension given due to Covid-19) is expected to be completed this year i.e. the end of August 2023. Travel and accommodation expenses were fully covered by the European Erasmus+ program, based on the aforementioned grant agreement as represented by National Coordination Unit "IKY" (Greece).

The program included hosting our students in the homes of students of our host school, the Liceo Scientifico Statale "G. Rummo" in Benevento (https://www.liceorummo.edu.it/).

The week's Agenda (see here) was organized by the Italian host school.

The Schools participating in the project partnership from Spain, Portugal, Romania and Greece met in Italy where various educational actions related to the topic of our program were implemented, such as the study of the Relationship of Humanity with Technology, after studying relevant reference material such as:

Worksheet: Humanity's Relationship with Technology
Eco-destruction from industrial waste (technology creation-destruction)
How many robots does it take to run a grocery store?
How Artificial Intelligence is Changing Culture
Microsoft: Artificial Intelligence and Its Role in Society
Artificial Intelligence's Contribution to Healthcare
Highly Emotionally Intelligent Companion Robots for Astronauts!
Vandals destroyed the little robot that made auto-stops around the world
Robots working as warehouse workers for large e-commerce companies
Greek robot to disinfect spaces from viruses and Covid-19
Robot companion of an elderly person
Robots being trained for military operations
Artificial Intelligence What it is and how it is dramatically changing our world

Our flight arrived at Naples airport on the evening of Sunday 6 Nov 2022 and upon landing we saw the crater of Mount Vesuvius.

On Monday, November 7, 2022, the Italian school welcomed us to its premises. There the students highlighted some problematic aspects in the relationship between humanity and technology (eg technology gap, trust issues, e-waste management problems and others).

They critically examined humanity's relationship with technology and referred to the benefits as well as the problems. Especially regarding the challenges of artificial intelligence to humanity but also the real applications of robotics today, which improve productivity and our daily life in general. They prepared and presented in English to the plenary session the relevant topics as well as various robotic constructions that they implemented and programmed using Microbit Maqueen.

Indicative student presentations:

 In the afternoon we visited the touristic Pietrelcina (Campania, Italy) birthplace of the popular Catholic Church of Saint Pio, where we were given a guided tour.

The next day we walked around town and were warmly welcomed by the Mayors of Benevento.

The Italian school offered us guided tours in the city of Benevento (Campania) to show the local history and the archaeological - historical monuments of the place. Examples include the Roman Theater (2nd century BC), the Arch of Trajan (114 - 117 AD), the Church of Hagia Sophia (760 BC), the Cathedral, the Museo del Sannio etc.

 Local History: The town of Benevento, Italy is famous for legends of its ancient walnut tree and the Streghe (Witches) who danced around this tree in ritual celebration until it was deliberately cut down in 662 AD. According to Raven Grimassi's research, the spiritual power specific to the walnut is associated with otherworldly guides and the fairy realm. Deep roots reach the globes below. When the Streghe danced around the sacred tree in Benevento, they drew upon the power of the underworld that had been collected and stored by the roots. "Power is drawn from the circular dances performed around his torso." So teachers of the School presented us with an original musical theater show.

On November 9, 2022, we visited Unisannio University (Department DEMM),

where a lecture on robotic ethics was held, regarding the possible ethical and social aspects produced by robotic technologies. The discussion was sparked by watching the sci-fi movie "I, Robot (2004)". After the greetings of the Rector Prof. Gerardo Canfora, the debate on the ethical challenge of future robots was animated by Francesco Vasca full professor of Automatics at the University of Sannio. The coordinator of the initiative was Prof. Gaetano Continillo, a teacher who shares the vision of an education aimed at building intercultural knowledge and values, heralding a more ambitious goal, that of "global competence", defined by PISA. The dialogue that followed with the participation of the students, strengthened our ability to deal with different cultures for the purpose of effective interaction, action for collective well-being and sustainable development, adding another piece to the effective building of this European Community. The new skills identified as global skills will enable citizens, located anywhere in the world, to act as global citizens, i.e. able to activate global dynamics in solving local problems from the perspective of those who know that every action has an impact on the surrounding and the global reality at the same time.

A one-day visit was made to the magnificent Naples where, in addition to visits and guided tours of the sights (Castel Nuovo, Piazza del Plebiscito, etc.), we all had the opportunity to try the original Margherita pizza at the well-established farewell party organized for the guests by our Italian partners.

On the last day, before our departure, there was a tour of the Archaeological Site of Pompeii, where time froze from 79 AD. during the terrible eruption of Vesuvius.

Students and teachers we returned back loaded with images and experiences from the trip convinced that yet another mobility activity highlighted in the best possible way the European dimension of teaching and learning, the strengthening of participation and cooperation and finally the recognition of the learning outcomes of students and staff who take part in such programs.