The project is part of a collaboration with Watt About, an initiative promoted by Professor Luca Botturi of the Dipartimento formazione e apprendimento / Alta scuola pedagogica, which brings the topic of energy into schools in Ticino. "Watt About tackles the topic didactically, with a style designed for school contexts," says Marta. "In this context, we looked for an approach that would make the topic of energy more accessible and usable for young people."

Out of this reflection came NOVA, a cooperative educational game that helps them understand the energy transition and deal with the climate crisis. Through roles, strategic decisions and realistic scenarios, players learn key concepts such as renewable energy and emissions, developing critical thinking and awareness. Tested with high school students, NOVA is an innovative tool to promote energy literacy, reduce eco-anxiety and stimulate active participation in sustainability challenges.

The prototype developed during the thesis involves the interaction between two players, each with his or her own smartphone: one plays the role of the energy minister, who is called upon to make decisions through a series of mini-games; the other plays the role of the advisor, who with an interactive manual provides instructions and rules for dealing with them. "The game dynamic is based on cooperation: the two must communicate in order to progress, and this creates involvement and confrontation, key elements for a true understanding of the subject".

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The BRIDGE programme is aimed at young researchers interested in turning the results of their research into concrete applications. It offers financial support for a period of 12 months, covering salary and costs directly related to the realisation of the project. Applicants must hold a recent university degree and be affiliated with a Swiss research institute.