The Scientific Chimney Month

A month of science in the heart of Catania

The Scientific Chimney Month is Catania's premier science outreach festival, promoted by the University of Catania in collaboration with the Sicilian Center for Nuclear Physics and Structure of Matter (CSFNSM). For a full month, the Città della Scienza, located in the historic Le Ciminiere industrial complex on Via Simeto, opens its doors to schools, families, and citizens with a packed program of tours, workshops, meetings, and evening projections.

Workshops and guided tours

The core of the event consists of guided tours and educational workshops, organized from Monday to Friday in two morning shifts (9:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM), with an additional afternoon shift on Tuesdays. The paths cover various scientific disciplines:

• Biology and life sciences;
• Geology and Earth sciences, with a special focus on Mount Etna;
• Chemistry and materials science;
• Physics, sustainability, and the environment;
• The new planetarium and the MIRI immersive room, for a sensory journey through the cosmos and digital visions.

AperiScienza and videomapping

Evenings are brought to life by AperiScienza events—informal Thursday and Friday gatherings where researchers discuss current scientific topics in an accessible way, ranging from nanotechnology and quantum tech to water and the environment. At dusk, the historic chimney lights up with spectacular videomapping featuring lights, colors, images, and scientific content, complemented by holographic projections on the glass windows.

Special events

The calendar is enriched by dedicated days: International Museum Day, the European Night of Museums, the PNRR Village showcasing research projects funded by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, and the A Sea of Science day, dedicated to the marine environment for European Maritime Day.

Catania, capital of science outreach

Part of the University's third mission program, the event confirms Catania and Sicily as leaders in scientific culture in Southern Italy, engaging the general public with research in an immersive and free way.