Enhancing the Geomineralogical Heritage with GEMS PoliTo
The goal of GEMS PoliTo (Geosciences, Earth Materials and Mineral Studies) is to enhance the university’s geomineralogical collection and to spread knowledge about the properties and uses of rocks and minerals, demonstrating how these resources remain essential for technological, economic, and social development. The student team was established just a few months ago within the Department of Environment, Land and Infrastructure Engineering-DIATI, and already has ambitious projects in progress.
“GEMS PoliTo was founded in March 2025 and currently consists of 14 students united by a passion for georesources and minerals – explains Francesco Conteduca, GEMS PoliTo’s team leader – We are still a small group, but highly motivated. Our passion may seem unusual compared to today’s trending topics, but understanding and promoting knowledge about rocks and minerals is crucial: they are the basis of nearly every object around us, influence international geopolitical decisions, and will play a key role in the energy transition toward Net Zero by 2050”.
The team also includes students from countries such as Peru, Brazil, Greece, Romania, Algeria, and Iran, and focuses on three main areas of activity: producing educational materials to support learning in geology and mineralogy; enhancing and cataloguing the university’s teaching collection of rocks and minerals; organising outreach activities open to schools and the general public.
Two major initiatives are already underway: the creation of a virtual tour of the Politecnico’s Geo-Mineralogical Museum, which will include educational content, and the development of multimedia materials. As Adriano Fiorucci, Professor at DIATI and the team’s scientific advisor, explains: “The virtual experience will not only showcase the collection and the mining tradition, but also highlight the sustainable future of georesources, in terms of reuse and recovery of mineral raw materials”.
GEMS PoliTo’s activities aim to promote science outreach and raise awareness among students and citizens about responsible resource use and recovery of georesources.
“Our goal – emphasise professor Fiorucci and Francesco Conteduca – is to deepen understanding of minerals, recognising that they are finite resources that must be used wisely, while exploring new methods for recycling and reuse”.
Looking ahead, the team also plans to expand its initiatives to involve the business community.
