A journey between science and fantasy: ‘’Your Adventures at CERN’

by Fabiola Cacciatore, 4 April 2022

Let's imagine we're telling children about particle physics. An heroic feat for those who have no training in this matter! But don’t be afraid, the heroes of particle physics are here… For now, let the children be the heroes.

Let’s do it by browsing the pages of one of the most beautiful books in children's scientific literature. We're talking about ‘’Your Adventures At CERN’’ written by Letizia Diamante (science communicator). We haven't missed the opportunity to find out more, because at IPPOG, physics education is particularly close to our hearts and we're always ready to promote talents who share with us the passion for particle physics and the awareness of the youngest to this subject.

 

Writing books for children is an art. Doing it with an attempt to explain

particle physics is true mastery.

 

She did it, and we want to introduce who is behind this book and what inspired her.

‘Your adventure at CERN’ is a special book, where the heroes are children who have fun with games and ‘’scientific pills’’ while discovering about CERN and learning particle physics.

Letizia is a very sweet science communicator and we had the opportunity to interview her and get to know her book more closely. She has a PhD in Biochemistry and a Master's in science communication. STEM subjects are her favourite topics, in fact she creates numerous content (videos, events...) related to science awareness.

Last year she published her book ‘’Your Adventure at CERN’’ receiving great reviews in the world of science and also boasting a place in the showcase at the CERN store. Why CERN? Well, Letizia worked there for several years, so she saw closely the reality of that wonderful world made up of scientists and others who are passionate about science.

- How was your experience at CERN and what is your best memory of it?

I loved CERN’s vibe: the energy of this big international science hub fuelled by human curiosity. I have a lot of beautiful memories, and I choose three that I found very inspirational: I think that the Lunch Collider – an initiative that pairs you up with one or more randomly selected participants for lunch – is the perfect way to break the routine and have a chat with someone working in a different field or department. I also liked the outreach events organised in the iconic Globe of Science and Innovation to engage the local population. And I have also fantastic memories of CERN guided tours and CERN Open Days 2019.

 

-"Your adventure at CERN" is a brilliant idea to raise children’s awareness about atoms and particles! And you decided to do so by writing a book. How did you come up with this project?

When I was guiding journalists, students and tourists around CERN, some of them asked me for a suggestion for a book about CERN for their children, nieces or nephews. I was not sure what to recommend, so I took up the challenge and wrote one myself. I thought that CERN had all the right ingredients for a gamebook. When I was a child, I read a lot of gamebooks, set in fantasy worlds. I remember playing the role of a princess or a witch. I thought that I could use a similar format to dive into a scientific wonderland, that is CERN. In this book, the reader plays the role of a CERN researcher, a tourist or a student.

 

‘’I thought that I could use a similar format to dive into a scientific wonderland, that is CERN. In this book, the reader plays the role of a CERN researcher, a tourist or a student.’’ – Letizia Diamante

 

- Which book and magazines would you recommend for young people who are passionate about physics?

There are so many wonderful books and magazines for young people: starting from books for babies, such as 'Quantum physics for babies' and 'Baby love quarks', up to books for more advanced readers. For the latter, I recommend the ever-popular 'Horrible Science' collection, which combines science with a lot of rather disgusting (but super fun) curiosities.

 

- What are the "must haves" that a children's book should have?

Nice illustrations and fun elements are always a big advantage, but I do not think there are strict “must haves” because every child is different. Books help children explore themselves, the world and develop skills. For example, a gamebook can help children gain some skills useful for scientific enquiry, such as asking questions, finding answers, making predictions, etc.

 

- Are there any other scientific projects for children and young people you are working on?

Yes, plenty! I'm giving presentation at the Cambridge Festival, and I am also preparing some materials for teachers that I will share on the IPPOG website. When the COVID-19 situation improves, I would like to organise some activities in schools.

We thanked Letizia and we promised each other to work together again on her wonderful projects for schools. In the meantime, if you’re looking for a great gift for a child, we recommend her book! You won't regret it!

You can get in touch with Letizia and find more information about the book at: http://letiziadiamante.com/ or, of you are at CERN on June 2nd, don't miss the book presentation in the Library, bldg. 52 first floor (and online). More info about how to follow the presentation remotely are available at this link.

"As soon as you open this book, YOU become the protagonist! You can choose to play the role of a researcher, a student or a tourist, but keep your eyes open for a threatening dinosaur... Is it coming from the nearby Jura Mountains, the same place that gave Jurassic its name? Prepare yourself for a rather bizarre adventure filled with loads of brain-tickling facts about particles and science wonders. Unfold the story, explore the unsolved mysteries of the Universe, and most importantly, have fun with the games and quizzes!"

The book is available in CERN shop, Amazon and other online bookstores.