Futurama: a year of digital innovation and sustainability with ELIS activities
The first year of Futurama has concluded, marking an important milestone for the schools involved. Selected by Con i Bambini under the Fund for the fight against child educational poverty and co-financed by Fondazione Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, the project aims to innovate educational pathways, providing students and teachers with the tools to face the challenges of the digital world and sustainability.
Thanks to the contribution of the Associazione Centro ELIS, the Sciascia and Bufalino Institutes of Erice (TP) and Odierna Institute of Palma di Montechiaro (AG) were at the forefront of an innovative training experience. Over the course of three years, the project will guide new generations in strengthening technical, digital, and transversal skills.
During the first year, four second-year classes embarked on a growth path in three key areas for the future of work and society: Programming and Robotics, Cyber Security, and Sustainability. A formative journey that will continue in the coming years with the goal of building a school increasingly oriented towards innovation, active citizenship, and sustainability.
##
Programming and Robotics: The Language of Tomorrow
Learning to program means acquiring a superpower: the ability to turn ideas into concrete tools to solve problems and create innovation. In the first year of the Programming and Robotics course, students immersed themselves in the Python language, one of the most widely used in the IT field for its flexibility and versatility.
Through syntax, algorithms, and problem-solving, the students learned to write code, structure command sequences, and develop an increasingly analytical approach. Python is much more than a programming language; it is the beating heart of rapidly expanding sectors such as data science, automation, and artificial intelligence. Through this course, students are building fundamental skills for their professional future and an increasingly digitalized world.
##
Cyber Security: Protecting the Present to Build the Future
We live in an era where digital security is a priority. Understanding IT risks and learning how to protect data and systems has become essential. In the first year of the Cyber Security course, students explored the Linux operating system, a pillar of IT. Through hands-on exercises, the students learned to navigate and administer Linux using the command line, write Bash scripts, and understand the fundamental principles of computer networks. The goal is not only to acquire technical skills but also to develop a critical awareness of digital threats and strategies to counter them.
Sustainability: Technology at the Service of the Planet
Digital transformation must go hand in hand with environmental and social awareness. That’s why the Cyber Security course has been integrated with a focus on sustainability and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda. Students delved into crucial topics such as:
- Clean and accessible energy (SDG 7)
- Decent work and economic growth (SDG 8)
- Industry, innovation, and infrastructure (SDG 9)
Additionally, they explored the connections between quality education (SDG 4), gender equality (SDG 5), and the reduction of inequalities (SDG 10), reflecting on how sustainability is not only about the environment but also about respecting rights and equal opportunities for all. Through debates and practical activities, the students developed a critical view of the world and the actions needed to make it more fair and sustainable.
##
Teachers as protagonists of change
Futurama is not only a project for students: teachers also played a central role. The training for teachers addressed key challenges for today’s school: how to communicate with Generation Z and Alpha, how to manage the classroom, and how to integrate emerging technologies into teaching.
Through moments of discussion and exchange between the teachers of the involved schools, the course promoted a collective reflection on the teaching profession in the current context, characterized by rapid cultural and technological changes. Special attention was given to empathetic communication and storytelling, essential tools for making teaching more engaging and building meaningful relationships with students.
The use of augmented reality and artificial intelligence was explored as an opportunity to enrich teaching, stimulate creativity, and make learning more immersive. Finally, the role of the teacher as a mediator between students and new technologies was emphasized, ensuring the conscious and critical use of digital tools.
A Look to the tuture
The first year of Futurama demonstrated how technological innovation and education can be powerful tools for building a more inclusive, dynamic, and future-oriented education. But the journey does not end here! The second year of the project has already started, with new activities and challenges for students and teachers. In the coming months, we will continue to share the progress of the path and the stories of those who, thanks to Futurama, are building their future.
If you want to continue following the activities of the Futurama project, you can consult the project sheet (here’s the link), visit the project blog (here’s the link), and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. To participate or for more information, contact Daniela Avanzato at d.avanzato@fcagrigentotrapani.it.
The *Futurama project was selected by Con i Bambini as part of the Fund for the fight against child educational poverty and co-financed by Fondazione Cassa Depositi e Prestiti. The Fund was created through an agreement between the banking foundations represented by Acri, the Forum Nazionale del Terzo Settore, and the Government. It supports interventions aimed at removing economic, social, and cultural barriers that prevent minors from fully participating in educational processes. To implement the Fund’s programs, Con i Bambini, a non-profit organization entirely participated by the Fondazione CON IL SUD*, was established in June 2016.*www.conibambini.org*