The University of Pisa takes part in the Scientific Degree Plan (PLS) and the Orientation and Tutoring Plans (POT), established under Ministerial Decree 1047/2017, through several projects.
The Scientific Degree Plans (PLS) are designed to introduce secondary school students to scientific studies and strengthen their interest in these disciplines. Through structural actions, the PLS seeks to encourage enrolment in scientific courses, reduce university dropouts, improve students’ academic performance, and support teachers’ professional development. Initiatives include active guidance, self-assessment for secondary school students, and the development of innovative teaching methods.
The Orientation and Tutoring Plans (POT) aim to support secondary school students in choosing a university course and in their academic career. Through orientation activities such as meetings, courses and workshops, along with the continuing professional development of teachers, the POT seeks to promote informed choices of university study and foster closer cooperation between secondary schools and universities.
Objectives
The orientation initiatives promoted by PLS and POT projects, aimed at both students and secondary school teachers, are designed to:
- Encourage self-assessment activities for secondary school students, in order to verify their preparation for university admission against entry requirements, thereby raising awareness of their knowledge and helping them to make an informed educational choice.
- Support the professional development of teachers through active participation in the design of activities in collaboration with the University.
- Promote enrolment in scientific degree programmes while ensuring gender equality, through active orientation initiatives that place secondary school students at the centre of scientific disciplines.
Schools interested in taking part in the projects may consult their descriptions and contact the departmental coordinators. Please note: some departmental projects are currently under development.
Projects and UniPi Coordinators
Modern Languages and Cultures (Lead Project)
Valeria Tocco – valeria.tocco@unipi.it
The POT “UniSco”, coordinated by the University of Pisa, involves 36 universities and 58 degree courses in Foreign Languages and Literatures (L-11) and in Applied Languages (L-12). In continuity with previous experiences, it aims to develop, together with secondary schools, orientation and tutoring activities to overcome obstacles hindering a smooth and effective transition of new students into university studies, with a strong focus on inclusion.
Mathematics (Lead Project)
Mirko Maracci (National Coordinator) – mirko.maracci@unipi.it
Contact person of the Department of Mathematics: giulia.lisarelli@unipi.it
The National PLS Project in Mathematics, coordinated by the University of Pisa, continues the work of previous editions, focusing on orientation towards university studies, recognising and enhancing the close link with self-assessment, actions to overcome difficulties at university entry, combating dropouts, innovation in university and pre-university teaching, and teacher training. The project therefore aims to develop experiences, tools and activity models that allow for synergistic action in all these areas. It currently involves 40 universities, including all 36 state universities and one private university offering degree courses in class L-35.
Arts, Music, Performing Arts: Philosophy
Chiara Tognolotti – chiara.tognolotti@unipi.it
The POT “Universities, Schools and Local Areas Networking for Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage: Participation, Inclusion and Enhancement”, coordinated by Roma Tre University, involves a wide national network of 32 universities across four degree classes in Humanities (L-1, L-3, L-5, L-20). The project is based on a shared principle: cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible, is an essential factor in individual and collective growth and development, capable of promoting participation, inclusion and enhancement in relation to students’ university careers and subsequent professional paths, with a positive impact also on the enhancement of national cultural heritage.
Biology
Chiara Gabellini – chiara.gabellini@unipi.it
The PLS activities in Biology and Biotechnology include orientation actions for enrolment and teacher training in secondary schools; tutoring (self-assessment and support for university preparation) and assistance with practical laboratory activities (wetlab and drylab) for Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree students in Biology and Biotechnology courses.
Chemistry
Francesca Martini – francesca.martini@unipi.it
Jeannette Lucejko – jeannette.lucejko@unipi.it
The National Chemistry PLS Project, active in 32 Italian universities offering degree courses in class L-27 (Chemistry), aims to increase enrolments, reduce dropouts and improve student performance, while also strengthening links between schools and universities. To achieve these goals, the project offers a series of activities for both students and teachers: orientation and self-assessment initiatives for secondary school students, tutoring programmes for first-year students, and training activities for teachers. These actions aim to foster informed choices, support students throughout their university studies, and improve the teaching of chemistry in schools.
Pharmacy
Susi Burgalassi – susi.burgalassi@unipi.it
This project builds on previous POT initiatives in the degree classes of Pharmacy and Industrial Pharmacy (LM-13), and Pharmacy (L-29). Its primary aim is to help students make informed study choices by combining full awareness of the cultural and professional knowledge and skills acquired during the study programme with personal aptitudes and interests. The project reshapes activities along the School–University–Work axis, at all stages of the orientation process, both on entry and during studies.
Physics
Riccardo Mannella – riccardo.mannella@unipi.it
The National PLS Project in Physics involves 37 universities and is dedicated to designing and disseminating initiatives to provide students with a proper understanding of Physics and its power as a tool for scientific and technological reasoning. It offers opportunities for self-assessment and strengthening of physics competences, enhances teachers’ knowledge and ability to engage and motivate students, and develops teaching materials.
Geology
Luca Ragaini – luca.ragaini@unipi.it
The PLS in Geology at UniPi includes various initiatives aligned with the National Plan guidelines. For incoming guidance, secondary school students are offered a series of Earth Sciences laboratories, combining activities at the Department of Earth Sciences with field trips – the latter being a key element of a geologist’s work (these activities also fall within the PCTO framework). For participants, satisfaction surveys are conducted, and results are shared with laboratory coordinators to continuously improve the offer. The labs are complemented by seminars delivered by departmental staff on topics agreed with schools.
To counter dropouts in the first two years, incoming students are offered guided field trips (sometimes lasting several days) in educationally significant areas for Earth Sciences. These are preceded by preparatory meetings and PPT presentations, with dedicated guidebooks prepared. All activities are later evaluated through questionnaires. The project also includes tutoring positions to support first-year students and gender-balance initiatives (female researchers visit schools to hold meetings/seminars). Teacher training has recently included a highly attended “Geosciences Laboratory” and the “Laboratory for Environmental and Climate Monitoring” (Torre del Lago).
For further information, please consult the following link.
Law
Federico Procchi – federico.procchi@unipi.it
The POT V.A.L.E. – P.L.U.S. (Vocational Academic Law Enhancement – Project Law University Student) promotes orientation activities for both informational (open events for school classes or individuals, presentations of law study programmes with examples of current legal issues) and educational (mainly on citizenship and the Constitution) enrolments. Tutoring actions are provided at different levels, from the initial welcome stage to course choice and dissertation preparation, with the involvement of senior students, PhD candidates, trainees and young professionals.
Computer Science
Roberto Grossi – roberto.grossi@unipi.it
The National PLS Project in Computer Science, involving 35 universities, aims to promote Computer Science as a scientific discipline and to improve secondary school students’ understanding of university studies and professional practice. It seeks to counter stereotypes, promoting inclusion especially in underrepresented groups, such as women.
Main objectives include: providing self-assessment tools and knowledge consolidation for preparation to university studies; reducing dropouts and delays; supporting teachers’ professional growth through research-based innovative approaches. Activities include orientation, inclusive labs, tutoring, self-assessment and remedial initiatives, as well as successful projects such as Bebras, NERD, the Informatics Olympiads, and the development of dedicated software tools.
Particular focus is placed on designing support interventions for foundational courses and training qualified tutors. For teacher training, the project promotes innovation in computer science education, moving beyond a purely instrumental perception towards a more comprehensive and research-based approach.
Engineering
Gabriele Pannocchia – gabriele.pannocchia@unipi.it
The project involves 46 universities across Italy and operates on two levels: national and local. National-level actions, based on best practices and cooperation, aim to create useful tools for guidance, tutoring, laboratory practices and teacher training. Locally, each university designs specific orientation and tutoring interventions, adapting and testing the nationally developed tools to assess their effectiveness in the local context.
Humanities
Mauro Tulli – mauro.tulli@unipi.it
This project, involving 31 universities, organises orientation and tutoring activities for students in degree programmes in Humanities (L-10). Students are supported in acquiring subject-specific competences starting from the choice of their study programme. Specific goals include guidance for enrolment, tutoring, self-assessment and remedial actions, laboratory practices, and professional development for teachers.
Medicine and Surgery, Dentistry and Prosthodontics (MOOD)
Riccardo Ruffoli – riccardo.ruffoli@unipi.it
The POT MOOD (MedOdontOrientaDomain) project is based on the well-established evidence that university orientation on entry level is essential for secondary school students. Such programmes ease the transition into academic life, reducing anxiety and uncertainty, and help students choose the most suitable university career, thereby fostering equal access to higher education. This reduces drop-outs and helps students acquire the competences needed for their academic and professional futures.
The project, born out of collaboration among all national degree courses in Medicine and Surgery and Dentistry and Prosthodontics, aims to integrate a series of actions to create a uniform and robust guidance system for medical and dental professions in Italy. Specifically, it seeks to:
- target students in the final two years of secondary school and recent graduates;
- harmonise orientation programmes at national level;
- create a trajectory starting from the aspiration to pursue university studies and continuing into the early years at university, ensuring the smoothest possible School–University professionalisation path nationwide.
The project features:
- a centralised digital platform;
- innovative teaching methodologies;
- a balanced approach between technical and transferable skills.
It offers:
- guidance for enrolment in Medicine and Dentistry degree programmes, delivered uniformly and fairly across all students;
- development of technical and transferable skills through digital platforms and peer-to-peer tutoring;
- experiential and simulation activities to gain deeper understanding of future professions;
- support for remedial actions to address educational gaps and reduce dropouts.
Veterinary Medicine
Alessandra Rota – alessandra.rota@unipi.it
The OrientaVET project involves all Italian degree courses in Veterinary Medicine (LM-42).
Actions include enrolment guidance in cooperation with secondary schools; tutoring for first- and second-year students; laboratory practices for secondary school students; self-assessment activities and remedial courses where needed; and professional development for secondary school teachers through conferences and workshops.
Agricultural Sciences
Lucia Guidi – lucia.guidi@unipi.it
The SISSA3EFG project continues and expands the previous POT-10_SISSA initiative. In line with legislative developments, it now includes degree classes L-25, L-26, L-38, LGastr and LP02, in order to encompass all agricultural, forestry and veterinary fields. It is based on the assumption that orientation and tutoring actions can be shared among students interested in this broad and multifaceted disciplinary area.
Economics and Business Management Sciences
Federica De Santis – federica.desantis@unipi.it
TALENTI – POT in Economics, Management and Tourism: this project covers degree classes in Economics and Business Administration (L-18, L-33), Tourism (L-15), and Administration (L-16). It seeks to introduce new tools to encourage informed study choices, improve entry-level skills, support academic progress, shorten completion times, and reduce drop-outs.
Activities include entry-level guidance sessions, individual and group tutoring (including tailored forms of tutoring for specific student needs or career monitoring), transferable skills workshops, school-to-work placements, career guidance events, summer schools and training internships.
Natural and Environmental Sciences
Valentina Serra – valentina.serra@unipi.it
The PLS in Natural and Environmental Sciences pursues multiple interconnected goals through five synergistic Actions:
- orienting new students by enhancing both the quantity and quality of basic scientific knowledge, particularly in natural sciences, for students in the final two years of secondary school (Action A: Guidance for enrolment);
- reducing dropouts and improving student performance;
- ensuring effective integration of tutors into teaching and support activities (Action B: Tutoring activities);
- consolidating previous co-designed laboratory activities developed with teachers and local stakeholders (Action C: Laboratory practices);
- providing secondary school students with self-assessment tools to support informed university choices (Action D: Self-assessment and remedial activities for university entry);
- supporting professional development opportunities for secondary school teachers (Action E: Teacher professional development).
Political Sciences
Nico De Federicis – nico.defedericis@unipi.it
Political Science (L-36)
The POT 9 GPS.UNI – Political-Sociological Geolocation for University Orientation aims to strengthen informed university choices, provide tutoring support to reduce dropouts, and address challenges specific to students’ academic careers. Cross-cutting activities, carried out at partner institutions with the aid of new technologies, aim to implement best practices to be shared across the network, fostering productive synergies between University, Schools and Local Areas.
Social Service Sciences
Nico De Federicis – nico.defedericis@unipi.it
Social Service Sciences (L-39)
The POT 8 Servizio sociale.pot project aims to spread direct and practical knowledge of the degree course in Social Service Sciences and the job of the social worker, both in secondary schools and among first-year students. It uses diagnostic and self-assessment tools for students’ motivations and aptitudes, with the aim of supporting informed study choices across the different forms this discipline takes at national level.
Psychology
Danilo Menicucci – danilo.menicucci@unipi.it
The Prometheus project creates an integrated territorial system for orientation and tutoring in L-24 degree courses (Psychology). It strengthens tutoring on entry, during studies and at exit. It provides alignment programmes for secondary school students, transferable and scientific skills workshops in psychology, extracurricular activities for professional competences, and secondary school teacher training initiatives.
