The Scuola Normale Superiore of Pisa is an institute of higher learning
at the university level dedicated to research and advanced instruction,
ad ordinamento speciale, as part of the Italian
university system. Anyone wishing to study the humanities or the
sciences (including math, physics, and the natural sciences) would be
familiar with the quality of the school's courses. Less well known,
however, is the origin of the name of this prestigious school. It was
established by Napoleonic decree on October 18, 1810 as a branch of the
École Normale Supérieure of Paris. The term "Normale" refers to the
school's primary didactic mission of training teachers at the secondary
school level who in turn would have the task of transmitting "norms" or
standards to their own students within a social context in which the
training of teachers was linked to the education of future citizens who
would be obedient to the law and to the emperor. Today the school's
major resource is the quality of its students, who are selected on the
basis of merit by means of special competitive exams. . They live
together completely free of charge and follow a course of study that is
based on a natural mix of experience, in-depth analysis, and moments of
intuition.
Teachers, researchers, and students all live together in a unique
environment that is conducive to classroom teaching, laboratory work,
and cultural events, as well as experimental initiatives.In 2007 this
prestigious institute chose a specially produced Moleskine notebook as
the vehicle for its Christmas message. A limited-edition red diary with
the school's logo printed in a contrasting color on the cover and its
coat of arms printed on the paper band, accompanied by a notebook in
the same color, was given to those who work with the school. Enclosed
with the diary was a set of adhesive stickers for noting important
dates throughout the year.
The chance to express oneself and the extent of the interaction are
two great areas for the growth and enrichment of culture.
For further
info about the Scuola Normale of Pisa: http://www.sns.it/
