About

Farfalle nella Testa is a cooperative society that deals with communication of science. It was born in 2013, bringing together various fields of professionalism (management, scientific advice, research, exhibitions, educational projects, technology, communication) with a great experience in science museums, science centres, zoos, aquariums, research groups and/or experience in the dissemination. Farfalle nella Testa since 2015 has been managing the House of Butterflies in Bordano (UD), the biggest structure of this kind in Italy, owned by the Municipality of Bordano. The cooperative has also designed, created and managed the Naturama Science Center in Martignacco (UD), a new concept of science museum in Italy, located within the City Trade Fair area (Città Fiera).

Location

Bordano (Friulian: Bordan) is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Udine in the Italian region Friuli-Venezia Giulia, located about 90 kilometres (56 mi) northwest of Trieste and about 30 kilometres (19 mi) northwest of Udine, on the right side of the Tagliamento river. Udine is a city in northeastern Italy. The hilltop Udine Castle is home to several museums and an art gallery with works by Tiepolo and Caravaggio. It has views of the city and surrounding mountains. The central Piazza della Libertà has Renaissance buildings, including the pink-andwhite-marble Loggia del Lionello and a clock tower. Udine Cathedral has a baroque interior and a museum of religious decorative arts.

Accommodation

The accommodation provided by Farfalle nella Testa is a house in the city center 10 minutes walking from the organisation.

Food

The food will be provided by the center.

Main Activities

The activities of Farfalle nella Testa cover many different areas, but they are focused on three specific fields.

Greenhouses and animals: The cooperative is one of the few realities in Italy which specialises in the realisation and management of open-air exhibitions with live animals. It deals with every aspect of the process, from the choice and supply of structures (mobile or fixed) to the design and installation of the interior (plants and animals), to the training of technical and scientific staff, to the didactic offer for children, young people and adults. It can act as a management entity or a consultant for the entire process or specific phases.

Exhibitions: It deals with the creation of temporary or permanent exhibitions on scientific themes, with particular expertise in the field of natural sciences. In this case too, it can take care of the whole process, from the initial idea to the inauguration and management, marketing and promotion, or it can be a consultant on specific aspects: exhibition concept, executive design, writing content (texts, images, videos), suppliers and partners selection, communication campaign management, design and implementation of multimedia software.

Didactics: It designs and implements didactic activities for the general public or on specific targets (children and teenagers in various school cycles, people with disabilities, elderly people). The offer mainly covers the fields of earth sciences, natural sciences, biology, chemistry and physics. The cooperative proposes thematic demonstrations, informal talks, laboratory activities, lessons in the field, front lessons, conferences, educational and entertainment activities. It provides complete packages, specific interventions or consulting activities.

Volunteer Tasks

The volunteers will be involved in the management of the butterfly house and in the environmental education activities as follows:

Support during guided tours, educational workshops and events organised mainly during the summer season (hikes, theme days etc.);

Participation in creating, planning and realisation of such events;

Creation and realisation of activities, events or workshops: after an initial adaption phase, the volunteers will be encouraged and supported to enrich the Butterfly House with their ideas and experiences;

Assistance to the staff during the ordinary and extraordinary management of the Butterfly House: management and maintenance of tropical greenhouses and more in general of the museum structure;

Help during the breeding and care of insects and other invertebrates and vertebrates;

Assistance to the staff for the care of plants and outdoor gardening activities;

Participation in staff meetings and specific meetings on various aspects.

Volunteer Requirements

For a successful volunteering experience, the following skills are desired:

• Knowledge and experience in working with people with fewer opportunities;
• Creative, patient, flexible and proactive personality;
• A friendly, communicative and active attitude;
• Willingness for live in a small, traditional and provincial town;
• Open-minded and responsible attitude;
• If possible knowledge of photography and Photoshop