The objectives we wanted to achieve 1. To develop students' teamwork and problem-solving skills 2. To offer training in self-confidence, particularly useful for girls who often have a higher confidence gap compared to boys 3. To support the development of mathematical skills and aptitude for problem solving offering engaging insights into digital security and capturing the interest of students in the project activities 4. To promote interest and excellence in STEM fields and addressing digital transformation in STEM topics, in privacy and cybersecurity 5. To offer schools a teachers update with reusable tools fostering sustainability of the project 6. To support students concretely in their university choices 7. To raise awareness about gender issues, particularly related to STEM topics and careers 8. To provide an experience of developing a conscious EU citizenship and the recognition of its benefits 9. supporting internationality, cultural exchanges, ideas circulatiion 10. To develop language skills in English as vehicular language
We decided to apply for funding based on our successful pilot project: a self-funded Cryptography Course for high school students, developed in collaboration with the National Research Council. This project demonstrated that cryptography can inspire students, foster teamwork, and ignite interest in STEM and digital security. It also supported students in their university choices and increased awareness of gender issues. Given this success, we sought funding to expand and enhance the project. Our decision was reinforced when we partnered with Imago Mundi, a well-established organization in European cooperation with a mission similar to ours. Imago Mundi's extensive experience and shared objectives provided invaluable support. We addressed several needs through this project: providing an innovative, self-empowering, and team-based learning experience; enhancing awareness of European citizenship; assisting students with their university choices; using English as a vehicular language while exploring mathematics and cryptography; promoting STEM interest and digital skills; and addressing the gender gap in STEM fields.