In the city of the "most beautiful kilometer of Italy", as Gabriele D'annunzio defined the bright seafront of Reggio Calabria, in a magnificent position on the Strait of Messina, the national finals of the XXII edition of the Astronomy championships took place, organized by the Ministry of Education with the scientific contribution from the Italian Astronomical Society (SAIt), the National Institute of Astrophysics (INAF) and the University of Calabria. They are aimed at first and second level secondary schools and are included in the MIUR Excellence programme. "We are children of the stars and witnesses of the Big Bang, and for this reason, astronomy has been part of the history of man since ancient times, it also teaches us that in life, at every age, we must continue to study, to ask ourselves questions, to develop theories and discuss them because there is still a lot to know", commented Professor Pecci, who started this edition. The selection process began last December 6th with the pre-selection competition at the various institutes in the Italian territory. Of the approximately 12427 participants, 1136 students were selected for the interregional phase and among these, the 22 finalists of the junior category 1.
The Parco della Vittoria Institute in Rome saw a student from the Mordini headquarters, Francesco Tropenscovino, from the III section class. And, accompanied by Professor Mauria Naso, referent of the astronomy championships, placing first in the National Final of the XXII Italian Astronomy Olympics, and to which went the diploma and the Margherita Hack medal, but also the satisfaction of having come first among the secondary schools of first degree of the national territory. Since "it is the supreme art of the teacher: awakening the joy of creativity and knowledge" (Albert Einstein), may astronomy become an extraordinary tool to bring young people closer to science, to fuel curiosity and stimulate fascination for the study of phenomena.