Aquaponics, solar energy, and fusion research are some of the topics covered in the activities organized at Villa Cavalletti. Over the years, the estate has become a laboratory where students, researchers, and visitors can explore science through hands-on experiences.
In 2021, Villa Cavalletti hosted students from the IPS Maffeo Pantaleoni in Frascati for a lesson onaquaponics and sustainable agriculture 4.0.
Inside the Educational Bar at the school located on the estate, the students studied the aquaponics system built in collaboration with the startup Ponics. The system combines aquaculture and hydroponics: the nutrients produced by the fish feed the plants, which in turn filter and purify the water.
The initiative, part of the projects “From the Ideal City to the Sustainable City” and “The Sustainable Lightness of Being,” introduced tomorrow’s professionals to a production model based on the circular economy and minimizing environmental impact.
In September 2022, the pilot project shifted its focus to the topic of energy with “Is Cooking with the Sun Possible?,” an initiative developed in collaboration with Frascati Scienza.
A solar oven equipped with mirrors was used to concentrate the sun’s rays into the cooking chamber, reaching temperatures of up to 300 degrees. The study compared solar cooking with traditional cooking methods, taking into account nutrients, chemical and physical reactions, and flavor characteristics. The initial results were analyzed with the assistance of the Rome Tre University School of Food and Wine Studies.
The relationship between science, art, and the local area continued in March 2025 with “The Dynamic Fusion: Where Art Meets Science.” The meeting brought together Andrea Roggi, the creator of the “Fusione Dinamica” artistic technique, and Matteo Martini, president of Frascati Scienza.
In addition to the presentation of the works “The Future Lies in Our Roots” and “The Energy of Life,” the audience had the opportunity to learn more about nuclear fusion and the DTT project—the Divertor Tokamak Test Facility—located at ENEA Frascati.
The event concluded with a fusion of research and gastronomy: master ice cream maker Dario Rossi and Matteo Martini prepared an ice cream using liquid nitrogen, enhanced with Villa Cavalletti’s Brut Spumante.
From aquaponics to solar cooking and even nuclear fusion, Villa Cavalletti offers science outreach focused on everyday life, education, and sustainability.
Book your experience at VILLA CAVALLETTI at: https://www.villacavalletti.it/esperienze/