Geneva, October 7. (EscanNews) – A bridge to connect science and education will allow CERN in Geneva to triple the number of its visitors and open its doors to 500,000 people annually. The Science Gateway opened today, with the green light for tours from tomorrow: “It’s not a museum, it’s not a school, it’s not a research centre, but it’s part of all these things,” said star Renzo Piano. The architect who signed off on the project, worth CHF 100 million, all came from private individuals. The Science Gateway consists of five solar-powered buildings, including an educational laboratory and a modular hall dedicated to Sergio Marchionne, the former CEO of FCA who died prematurely in 2018. A 210-meter-long bridge suspended 6 meters above the ground connects the spaces. A forest with 400 trees and a central square complete the project created with concrete and glass on the ground floor and steel and glass on the first floor.
“We want to stimulate curiosity, creativity and critical thinking,” said Fabiola Gianotti, Director-General of the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), and creator of the project that saw the groundbreaking in 2021. “The Science Gateway will be a place where scientists and the public come together. “I will be able to interact on a daily basis. For me personally, this is a dream come true and I am so grateful to all the people who have contributed to the project, starting with our generous donors. “The Stellantis Foundation is the largest single donor to the project with CHF 45 million. Rolex, the Carla Fendi Foundation and LEGO participated in the group, among others. Stellantis President John Elkann stressed the desire to “promote science and research for the good of all, and to celebrate the gateway to science.” It is the bridge that connects this center to the world. He added that it is a place where humanity can discover CERN. “We collaborate to solve some of the greatest challenges of our time with ingenuity and intelligence.” Among those who “would have appreciated the meaning of this day,” Elkann added, is Sergio Marchionne, who is graced by the 900-seat auditorium. He was dedicated. “Sergio believes above all Something about young people that encourages them to be brave and not settle into easy habits. “And those who knew him remember well his love for physics, his curiosity, his constant desire to learn and deepen his knowledge.” It will be open to children as young as 5 years old. A novelty for Cern, for which the minimum age for activities, until now, was 16 years old. “Our hope – he commented Eliezer Rabinovici, Chairman of the CERN Council – is that among the scientists of tomorrow there will be some curious children who will fill this wonderful place with joy in the years to come.”
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