From January 2026 onwards, the work of our research group will continue, and with it a wide range of activities. We are currently preparing for the celebrations dedicated to Stanislao Cannizzaro, which will take place in April at the University of Palermo. The eminent chemist spent several years in Pisa and played a decisive role in the formation of the Pisan school.
In the coming months, we will also launch new Paths for Transversal Skills and Orientation in collaboration with several secondary schools in the Province of Livorno, with whom we will work at the Museum of Natural History of Rosignano Marittimo. On this occasion, students will be introduced to some of the fundamental principles of chemistry and physics through the use of historical scientific instruments or their reproductions.
The combination of historical scientific instrumentation and its reproductions aligns closely with the focus of the seminar in which we will participate as invited contributors, organised by the Deutsches Museum and Europa-Universität Flensburg, entitled Material Culture in the History of Physics. Over the course of one week, we will address questions such as: What is the relationship between experimenter, tools, and theories in these studies? What are the shared elements and what are the differences? What is the role of materials in experiments, and does this role allow for forms of characterisation that go beyond the individual experiment? Finally, are there relationships between materiality and practice-understood not only as practical work with tools, but also as encompassing broader social practices?
It will also provide an opportunity to observe how dissemination is pursued through the technical and scientific heritage of one of Europe’s most important museums.
Moreover, as we are not inclined to remain idle, we have almost completed the photographic documentation of our department’s collection, which will soon be made available online. So do not stray too far!
