The infinitely small to understand the universe, Fabiola Gianotti meets the students of Pareto.

Discovering the Infinitely Small to Understand the Universe. This is the journey that Fabiola Gianotti, particle physicist and former director-general of the CERN, proposed to the students of the Pareto Institute in Palermo during the meeting organized by the Peses – the Education Program for Economic and Social Sciences promoted by the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, which brings prominent figures from the world of science, economics, and culture into Italian schools with the aim of engaging students with major contemporary issues.

In front of an audience of students, Gianotti explained what it means to conduct research in the largest particle physics laboratory in the world, detailing how the study of the infinitely small allows us to understand the larger phenomena of the universe.

“Science is beautiful – she explained – it helps us understand how everything works and is essential for tackling the great challenges of today’s world. I can only encourage young people who want to study scientific subjects to do so with motivation, determination, and passion.”

During the lesson, Gianotti guided the students in discovering elementary particle physics, the discipline that studies the smallest components of matter and the universe. Understanding these particles means reconstructing the history of the universe and the evolution that led to the formation of more complex structures.

A task that at the CERN involves an unprecedented international scientific community: over 17,500 people collaborate in the large research laboratory in Geneva, a place where scientists from different cultures, languages, and religions work together towards a common goal.

“It’s a very open and tolerant environment – she recounted – in the CERN cafeteria, people of all nationalities eat together. It’s one of the most beautiful aspects of our work: collaboration.”

A model that is now being used as an example in other fields of research, from artificial intelligence to medicine.

The CERN is known primarily for its particle accelerators, enormous scientific infrastructures built mostly underground. The main ring actually extends for 27 kilometers beneath the border between Switzerland and France. This choice also has scientific motivations: underground, the instruments are protected from cosmic rays that, on the surface, could interfere with experiments.

The fundamental research, Gianotti explained, is not far from everyday life. Many technologies developed at CERN have concrete applications, such as in the field of medicine. Particle accelerators, for example, are now also used in the treatment of tumors.

During the meeting, the social role of science and the responsibility of scientists in communicating their work to citizens were also discussed.

"Science must be explained simply – she said – because knowledge is for everyone. CERN is funded with public resources, and therefore our discoveries belong to the community".

Communicating the scientific method is also essential to counter misinformation and bring new generations closer to research.

Science, Gianotti added, can also become a tool for dialogue between peoples. At CERN, researchers from countries in conflict with each other, such as Israelis and Palestinians, work together. "Science is a universal activity that unites people", she explained.

During the meeting, she also shared a personal note about her educational journey. Gianotti told the students that she attended classical high school and was drawn to physics primarily out of curiosity about the universe.

"I didn't have the mathematical and physical tools to really understand it – she recalled – but I had a teacher capable of explaining difficult things simply".

From that curiosity came the "leap into the unknown" of enrolling in physics at university, a choice she now describes as "the best I could make".

Today, Gianotti has returned to fully dedicate herself to research after leading CERN for two terms as director-general. And she continues to direct her strongest message to young people.

«For me, it is always nice to interact with students – he said – today I found interesting questions and a lot of curiosity. It was really stimulating».