Launched in Bologna and soon arriving in Milan, Rome and Padua, Maccaferri@school – Dentro l’ingegneria del futuro is the educational and outreach programme developed by Officine Maccaferri, platform company of Ambienta SGR S.p.A. and a global leader in civil and environmental engineering, with the support of La Fabbrica S.r.l. Società Benefit of Gruppo Spaggiari Parma. The project will involve high schools with the aim of helping younger generations discover their talents, learn about the opportunities offered by STEM professions, and prepare consciously for the challenges of the job market, in line with the goals of Citizenship Education and the 2030 Agenda.

Today, STEM skills represent one of the key pillars of economic and social development: they underpin technological innovation, green transition, infrastructure safety, and the ability of territories to respond to increasingly complex risks and changes. Investing in scientific education means providing new generations with concrete tools to understand the present, build sustainable solutions, and access highly qualified jobs that are increasingly in demand on the labour market. This is a particularly relevant theme for Officine Maccaferri, whose work is grounded in advanced engineering skills and in the development of cutting-edge solutions: hence the company’s commitment to promoting greater awareness of STEM disciplines and supporting students in learning about these essential skills for the future.

From December to March 2026, Maccaferri@school will include 15 sessions across four cities – Bologna, Milan, Rome and Padua – targeted at science high schools and technical institutes, involving a total of around 750 students. During these sessions, young engineers from Officine Maccaferri, acting as brand ambassadors, will meet with pupils to share first-hand experiences of working in civil and environmental engineering and in designing solutions for territorial resilience and community protection. Each session, involving two classes, is designed to foster open dialogue: students will be able to ask questions, explore different educational pathways, and understand how school choices can open the door to stimulating professional opportunities. Through the ambassadors’ accounts of their academic and career journeys, students will gain a more concrete understanding of the technical-scientific world and of the value of STEM skills in building their own future.

The first Maccaferri@school session was held at IIS Crescenzi Pacinotti Sirani in Bologna and featured Caterina Zanca, an environmental engineer who has been with Maccaferri for more than four years. The second session, scheduled for 29 January again in Bologna, will involve two classes from IIS Rosa Luxemburg.

The programme will culminate in April with two major Masterclasses, one in Bologna and one in Milan, involving a total of 1,000 students. Each event will focus on a different theme: Innovation & Technology and Climate Change. In addition to the CEO of Officine Maccaferri – who will outline the company’s role in developing resilient infrastructure capable of mitigating the effects of hydrological risks linked to climate change – other representatives of the company will participate. Also contributing will be Luca Rosetti, ocean sailor and the face of Maccaferri Futura, the Group’s project combining sports competition, technological innovation, and environmental sustainability. Two STEM communicators will also engage with students: Serena Giacomin, meteorologist and climatologist, and Carmen Panepinto, engineer and creator committed to promoting STEM culture and fighting the gender gap. Their presence underscores the project’s commitment to supporting female talent in scientific careers.

“For Officine Maccaferri, promoting the spread of STEM skills means investing in the country’s future and contributing to the growth of professionals capable of addressing the environmental and infrastructural challenges of the coming years,” said Stefano Susani, CEO of Officine Maccaferri. “With Maccaferri@school, we aim to bring young people closer to the value of technical-scientific knowledge and help them understand how these skills can become concrete opportunities – not only for their professional paths, but also for the well-being and safety of the communities in which they will live and work.”