Power to Neurons

On February 11, on the occasion of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we dedicated the day at We Do Fablab in Omegna to Rita Levi-Montalcini.
An Italian neuroscientist and Nobel Prize winner in Physiology or Medicine (1986) for the discovery of the nerve growth factor (NGF), she was a figure who overcame cultural barriers and gender discrimination, establishing herself in a scientific field historically dominated by men. The theme chosen was “Power to Neurons”, as a symbolic reference to the energy of neural connections and, at the same time, to the strength of connections between people and ideas.

Summary of the activities carried out

The female members of the fablab, supported by five students from a third-year lower secondary school class, created a demonstrative model of the nerve impulse: a small wooden box containing stylized neurons with integrated LEDs. The sequential lighting, controlled by a microprocessor, simulated the propagation of the signal along the neural network; at the end of the sequence, a small mechanical arm was activated, representing the motor response.

At the same time, the day included experimentation with biomaterials. The students prepared and poured an agar-agar solution into embroidery hoops, incorporating different materials — colored plastic granules, LEDs, and powders obtained from food waste — to create semi-transparent decorative compositions, combining aesthetics, sustainability, and technology.

An eco-leather derived from orange peel was also laser-engraved to create small neuron models and a graphic reinterpretation of Rita Levi-Montalcini’s face, accompanied by one of her meaningful quotes.

At the conclusion of the activity, a fablab member printed on a T-shirt a silhouette of neurons with the motivational phrase: “+ connections, − chatter”, an effective summary of the spirit of the day.

The day brought together science, technology, and hands-on making, offering the girls a practical experience in design, programming, and collaboration, inspired by the legacy of Rita Levi-Montalcini and the message “Power to Neurons”: energizing ideas, knowledge, and female talent in science.