In the 2014 edition of Stage a Tor Vergata, an astrobiology module was organized as a hands-on approach
to lead motivated and talented high-school students through cutting-edge experiments aimed at testing the limits of
terrestrial life outside Earth, the identification of biosignatures for searching life on Mars and the search for planetary
systems around other stars. This hands-on approach introduced the students to laboratory procedures used to
investigate the effects on cyanobacteria of space vacuum and UV radiation as expected in the EXPOSE-R2 mission
outside the International Space Station. Students became familiar with techniques used to detect exoplanets and
software applications that simulated the output of real observations. Data gathered by comparing pre- and postinternship
learning tests showed a gain in the students perceived knowledge of astrobiology, while the analysis
of the evaluation questionnaire revealed a positive effect. This internship and its future iterations are expected to
increase the number of students enrolling in scientific degrees and, possibly, that of students chosing to dedicate
their career to astrobiology.
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