More than 850 students and 90 teachers involved and 469 projects implemented in schools in Bari, Milan, Rome, Catania, Genoa, Naples, Cosenza and Pescara in a didactic journey created to stimulate interest in STEAM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics) and to train new high-tech talents. 

The project is conceived and supported by IGT, a world leader in the regulated gaming sector, in collaboration with Codemotion, the reference platform for the professional growth of developers and for companies looking for the best talents in the field of technology.

Through free workshops led by expert educators, High Tech High School aims to introduce students aged between 14 and 18 to the use of new technologies and lead them to develop innovative solutions in relation to the challenges linked to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals defined by the United Nations, but framed in their own territorial and social reality. Among the projects carried out in recent years are a 3D environment that graphically represents gender inequality at work, prototypes of apps on the issue of food waste, applications of coding to an interactive storytelling project on the theme of inclusion and peace.

In its fourth edition, High Tech High School involves two schools from Castrolibero (Cosenza) and Alanno (Pescara): coding, software development and the conscious use of Artificial Intelligence are the main themes of this new edition. 
This year High Tech High School also includes a training course dedicated to the teachers of the schools involved. The aim is for teachers to acquire new skills and discuss future challenges and opportunities in order to be able to carry out activities with their students autonomously. 

The theme of this edition is Artificial Intelligence: teachers will have access to specific training to learn about the challenges, opportunities and risks that this technology poses to schools and education; teachers will also be able to explore machine learning and ChatGPT models through practical activities and the use of tools to design teaching activities using AI to support learning.

In fact, training new high-tech talent is expected to be a priority for the tech industry in the next decade: according to Assolavoro's DataLab Observatory, among the 30 most in-demand profiles in 2023 are skills in the fields of digital transformation, information technology, machine learning and data protection; it is therefore increasingly important that students receive adequate training to cope with the complexities of today's socio-economic and cultural landscape.

"Young people are the future. That's why we initiate projects and strategies that support them in the interest of the country, such as High Tech High School," says Fabio Cairoli, CEO of IGT Global Lottery. "By providing schools with a free training pathway to acquire technological and digital skills, the project contributes to the growth of girls and boys, offering them the opportunity to express themselves through technology, stimulating them to take an interest in STEAM subjects." Indeed, IGT believes that technology, combined with education, is a valuable tool to help young people develop critical thinking, become informed and prepared for tomorrow".

As Chiara Russo, CEO and co-founder of Codemotion explains: "We are convinced that the future of work is built starting with school benches. With High Tech High School we give young people the opportunity to express themselves through technology and develop their critical thinking, promoting both instrumental and cultural innovation.

At the same time, we bring them closer to subjects that, although relevant on the international scene, are not always included in the Italian school curriculum. We also involve teachers in this process so that they can be spokespersons for this initiative and guides for other classes of pupils in the future. 

We are delighted that IGT has supported this project, now in its fourth year. IGT has been a valuable partner in making a truly educational avenue available to students and teachers. 

Indeed, companies can have a positive impact on the territory, providing tools and support to schools and institutions and creating real training opportunities for young people. 

As Codemotion, we have been developing projects in schools for more than ten years and we put our experience at the disposal of companies that want to contribute to overcoming the gender gap in technology and the world of work".

Massimo Avvisati, Head of EdTech R&D at Codemotion adds: "We want to underline how technology is an enabler that allows students to follow their passion in their professional future: through the workshops we provide participants with a set of tools that we hope will turn them into active creators of technology and not passive spectators".