Ethology and Psychobiology Workshop

Organized as part of the "National Scientific Degrees Plan (PLS)" established by the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research, together with the "Sapienza" University of Rome.

Target: Upper secondary school students and teachers
Products: seminars and workshops

This workshop is addressed to teachers and students who show an interest in scientific subjects. It takes place over three afternoon meetings.
Meeting 1: general introduction to psychobiology, with particular attention to the differences in behaviour analysis between invertebrate and vertebrate species, including humans, focusing on aspects of human behavioral pathophysiology. 
Meeting 2: theoretical and practical analysis in the construction of an ethogram. Principles of behaviour measurement systems, construction of an ethogram scale and measurement of motivation levels and main cognitive performance characteristics of vertebrates. 
Meeting 3: use of animal models in scientific research on neurobehavioural disorders with a focus on laboratory rodents. Experimental design definition and implementation. Processing and interpretation of the data obtained.

Meeting topics will also include reflections on the ethics of experimentation on laboratory animals and the concept of translational research.
Implementation timeline: every school year from October to March.
ISS researchers are available to present this program in schools.

To date, about 100 students and 12 teachers have participated. Workshops are usually organized in two cycles per year, depending on the number of students involved in the initiative; no more than 20 students and up to 3 teachers can participate in each cycle. 

Organization of Reference: Reference Centre for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health 
Contact Person: Daniela Santucci