Story: From micro to macro
A workshop in green surroundings welcomes young and old alike at the Alpine Institute in Olivone, Blenio Valley.
Do you want to learn about the world of life sciences while having fun? Now you can. Experiment in the laboratory and explore the local area and its biodiversity at the Alpine Institute in Olivone, in the Blenio Valley.
Emanuela Fiorito, scientific assistant and teacher.
Former students at the Alpine Institute have fond memories of this experience.
“For years the Alpine Institute focused primarily on education. We would now like to open up to other sectors, including ecotourism, so that we can introduce a broader audience to the Blenio area’s unique natural and cultural features.” Leonardo Azzalini, head of the Alpine Institute, has no doubts and his belief is backed up by growing interest in what the school has to offer. The Alpine Institute was founded in 2018 in the former herbalism laboratory to promote the region’s biological resources and herbal medicines. Assisted by 7 co-workers, Leonardo has extended the range of educational and training proposals over the years on the basis of this clear identity. The Alpine Institute now covers most of the natural sciences: from astronomy to geology, incorporating botany. From micro to macro. There is no other organisation of the kind in the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland that caters for children, adults and academics.
Emanuela Fiorito has a degree in herbal sciences and health products and also specialises in herbalism and herbal medicine using plants from Ticino. Today a professional herbalist at the Alpine School, she is a scientific assistant and teacher. But how does her day unfold? On the one hand, there are the courses for school children: in the morning we work in the laboratory, doing activities that vary according to the school’s chosen topic. In the afternoon we go on an outdoor botanical excursion. On the other hand, there are also courses for adults. The Alpine Institute offers days focusing on a specific subject with a common thread, and naturally laboratory courses.
The package offered by the Alpine Institute comprises a range of different topics for groups. The teacher takes a look at what is available and picks a particular subject. The topics can include water, ecology, cosmology, botany, etc. As part of the topic, there is an option to do a laboratory activity and/or to go on an excursion. All the packages can be customised, and people can create different things from soaps to creams and more.
As well as choosing from among our range of offers, adults can also request something specific. Courses naturally start if the group reaches 8 or more participants. At the Alpine Institute flexibility are important and they try to keep everyone happy as far as possible.
Moreover, the courses are available in 4 languages other than Italian: in German, French, English and Spanish.
Science is a great subject to teach, and doing so with real passion makes a big difference.
Did you know that the well-known Tisana Olivone (herbal tea) was created right here? The Alpine Institute developed out of the Istituto di Fitofarmacologia, which is why the most popular activities are those related to botany and herbalism. But which alpine herbs in the area does Emanuela most appreciate? The Lamiaceae family, which includes many aromatic herbs. In particular mullein, a pre-Alpine plant with fantastic properties for the airways, and wild thyme, easy to recognise during a hike with its amazing scent.
What are the consequences of climate change?
Lots. Especially if you consider that the active substances in plants vary according to the climate. A root that was once harvested in September because the active substances were at their peak may not be ready in the same period in the future. We need to re-evaluate everything. We’re still lucky in this pre-alpine area at the moment, because we have very extensive biodiversity.
Emanuela loves variety in her work: it is never the same class, the groups are always different, you do what you like and teaching her passion to others is priceless. Then the colleagues who specialise in their own science (from biologist to ecologist via astronomer) makes it possible to continue learning about the life sciences.
Practically speaking, you arrive at work and continue learning, sharing your knowledge, teaching and conveying.
"Adults are taken back to their childhood in the lab."
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