The Scuola Normale Superiore of Pisa

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/