Matteo Tivan (Cuneo Scientific High School) confirms himself as national astronomy champion

Matthew Tivan (class 5th B “G. Peano” scientific high school in Cuneo) was confirmed Italian astronomy champion, Maste categoryr. The national final, organized by the Ministry of Education and Merit in collaboration with INAF (National Institute of Astrophysics) and SAIt (Italian Astronomical Society), took place in Reggio Calabria from 16 to 18 April and consisted of a theoretical test with 5 problems to be completed in 3 and a half hours and a practical test with two data analysis exercises. The student from Cuneo also received a special mention from the jury for the best performance of the practical test. For Tivan it was the fifth participation in the competition, which he had already won last year.

Around 12,400 Italian students participated in the XXII edition of the Italian Astronomy Championships, divided into the categories junior 1 (third year of middle school), junior 2 (first two years of high school), senior (second two years of high school) and master (last year). There were 84 finalists from Reggio Calabria and among these there was also the student Sofia Mascherpa (class 2nd B scientific high school).

«I am very happy for our students – declares the principal Alessandro Parola who was in Reggio Calabria with them – and for our high school, because this result is the result of important work on the part of the natural science teachers and those who they make the most of the presence of the Astronomical Observatory and the Planetarium in our school. From here comes the interest and passion of the kids, who enjoy these national successes.”

The Ministry of Education and Merit, represented in Reggio Calabria by Dr. Anna Brancaccio, will define the Italian delegation of students who will represent Italy at the International Astronomy Olympics, as soon as the organizing committee manages to overcome the difficulties related to current global geopolitical crisis situation.