Pensa Tu Festival sparks curiosity across students and curious with its annual celebration of science and discovery. From April 15 to 17, at “Teatro Auditorium Unical” (Rende, Italy), thousands of visitors had the opportunity to engage directly with scientists, researchers, and experts through interactive labs, immersive lectures, and school matinèes designed to stimulate curiosity and critical thinking.

The event has established itself as a vital hub for local schools, where students participate in captivating talks led by skilled facilitators. These sessions immerse young learners in scientific themes through hands-on experiments and interactive exhibits, equipping them with tools to explore and interpret the world using the scientific method. At the same time, Pensa Tu creates a broader platform where science, research and public outreach converge in a dynamic and inclusive atmosphere.

During one of the student-dedicated matinées,  Marco Cozza from 3D Research s.r.l, project coordinator, presented the CREAMARE Project in the session “Beyond Disciplines: Between Technology, Science, Creativity, and Culture”. Funded by the Creative Europe Programme, CREAMARE fosters transnational partnerships among cultural organizations, researchers, and creative professionals to develop innovative digital tools, such as serious games, AR/VR experiences, and interactive multimedia, that preserve underwater cultural heritage (UCH) while highlighting ocean challenges like pollution, climate change, and biodiversity loss.

A central element of the project is CREAMARE: The Game,  a serious game where players dive as explorers across 9 real Mediterranean underwater sites. Through puzzles and challenges, it cleverly blends fun gameplay with learning about archaeological history, marine ecology, and cultural preservation—making complex topics accessible and engaging. Available on Steam and Epic Games Store, it turns environmental awareness into an interactive adventure.

This spotlight on CREAMARE highlighted its unique integration of technology, science, creativity, and culture to advance UCH protection and ocean sustainability, perfectly aligning with the festival’s mission to inspire cross-disciplinary curiosity. 

More than an event, “Pensa Tu” is a shared experience that connects education, research, and public engagement in a meaningful way.