Touching the Sky – Generation STEM 2026 is an international STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education project that promotes the right to education, inclusion, and the empowerment of younger generations through scientific research, innovation, and international cooperation.

Coordinated by Professor Corrado Campisi, the project was developed through a partnership between IIS Ciampini Boccardo in Novi Ligure, Wallace High School in Stirling (Scotland), and the Learn Afghan Association.

Through hands-on laboratory activities, field experiences, and collaboration among students from diverse backgrounds, the project fosters the development of STEM skills while promoting the values of global citizenship and gender equality.

Global Thinking Foundation supported the Touching the Sky – Generation STEM 2026 project by 1) hosting, on 13 May at its Milan headquarters, an important day of discussion and exchange dedicated to the right to education and to the development of technical and digital skills for all.

The event featured the participation of Pashtana Durrani, Afghan educator and activist, who shared her personal experience, offering a direct perspective on the condition of girls and young women in Afghanistan and on the barriers that still prevent access to education. The meeting involved a broad and diverse audience, creating an open dialogue and a shared reflection on the role of education as a tool for freedom and social change.

2) Alongside the meeting, the Communication and Branding Team of Global Thinking Foundation organized an introductory workshop on communication and podcasting for students of IIS Ciampini Boccardo in Novi Ligure. The activity provided participants with an overview of audio and video storytelling techniques and podcast formats, offering useful tools to understand and experiment with the fundamentals of contemporary storytelling.

Through this initiative, the Foundation renews its commitment to promoting education, social and professional inclusion through the development of digital and communication skills, supporting pathways that foster intercultural dialogue and active participation.

Watch the reel of the day!

And the photos!

3) On 26 May 2026, from the “Eugenio Mossi” Airport in Novi Ligure, the highlight of the Touching the Sky – Generation STEM 2026 project took place: the launch of the Da Vinci Caelum stratospheric balloon. The mission, developed as part of the educational programme coordinated by IIS Ciampini Boccardo, enabled students to transform months of study and design into a concrete scientific experience.

During the flight, the balloon reached an altitude of over 30 kilometres, entering the stratosphere and collecting environmental data through dedicated sensors monitoring temperature, atmospheric pressure, humidity, GPS position, and air quality. The information gathered represents a valuable educational resource that students later analysed to understand atmospheric behaviour and apply in practice the skills developed throughout the project.

Beyond its scientific dimension, the mission carried a strong symbolic value: the payload also carried messages, reflections, drawings, and projects created by Italian students from all participating schools, demonstrating how science can become a shared language capable of bringing together people, cultures, and different aspirations in the name of the right to education and international cooperation.

Explore the scientific poster of the stratospheric mission!

And the photos of the day!