Teaching and Learning Statistics in Practices

The transition from upper secondary school to university marks a sig-nificant change not only in disciplinary content but also in teaching, learning, and assessment methods. This shift is particularly relevant for scientific subjects such as Statistics, which combine intuitive reasoning with theoretical formalization. The paper presents a training program made up of three three-hour sessions delivered by university lecturers to upper secondary school students within the Progetto Lauree Scientifiche (PLS). Promoted by the Italian Ministry of University and Research in collaboration with universities and schools, the PLS aims to bridge the gap between secondary and higher education, improve students’ learning, and foster scientific culture. It also seeks to encourage enrollment and persistence in scientific degree programs, especially in STEM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). An important added value of the PLS initiative is that students experience teaching practices that differ from traditional school approaches in terms of structure, methods, and learning activities. This exposure enriches their understanding of how scientific subjects are taught at university level. Moreover, the program offers students direct contact with university envi-ronments and facilities, providing an initial orientation experience and helping them become familiar with academic expectations.