COORDINATOR
Antonio De Fano is a post-doc researcher at the Behavioral Imaging and Neural Dynamics (BIND) Center, at the University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara (Italy).
His research focuses on the relationship between the mind and body in action, as well as the brain’s dynamics in motion.
More specifically, Antonio developed a strong interest in the field of exercise and cognition, investigating the interplay between motor and cognitive skills in both children and adults, as well as the effects of physical exercise on both cognitive (i.e., executive functions and creative thinking) and neural level (i.e., electroencephalography – EEG).
During his doctoral studies in neuroscience and imaging, Antonio expanded his focus to the phenomenon of interpersonal neural synchronization, which underpins interpersonal motor coordination.
Using EEG-hyperscanning technique, he measured the simultaneous brain activity of individuals engaged in cooperative and competitive movement tasks (i.e., table tennis).
In recent years, Antonio has focused on the study of Breaking, examining its physical, mental, and physiological demands.
Antonio is currently involved in two European projects.
The first project, funded by the INGENIUM initiative, aims to study creativity and executive functions in primary school children.
The second project, funded under the H2020 program, focuses on developing innovative hardware and software to investigate the neuro-psycho-physiological basis of interpersonal movement interaction (EMBRACE project – link: https://www.projectembrace.eu/).
Furthermore, Antonio has also conducted research at the Technical University of Ilmenau (Germany), published 11 peer-reviewed journal articles and 2 book chapters, and presented his work at several national and international conferences in the broad research field of movement and exercise sciences.
Creativity is a cornerstone of 21st-century education, fostering innovation, adaptability, and problem-solving. The present symposium combines interdisciplinary perspectives exploring how creativity can be stimulated and assessed within school settings, focusing on physical education (PE), active learning strategies, and the critical interplay between physical activity, mindfulness, and neuroplasticity. By integrating these elements, the symposium offers a holistic perspective that bridges neuroscience, movement sciences, and educational applications.
Prof. Marika Berchicci opens the symposium by addressing the brain structures and functions associated with creative processes, emphasizing the importance of early creativity stimulation during childhood to harness the unique neuroplasticity of this developmental stage.
Prof. Caterina Pesce follows by examining current models of creativity and proposing a hybrid framework that integrates cognitive-computational and dynamic-ecological approaches. Prof. Pesce highlights the potential of enriched PE to support both cognitive and motor creativity in educational settings, presenting this integration as a powerful tool for further fostering creative development.
Prof. Sara Santos presents the Skills4Genius program, a motor creativity program designed to enhance creativity in children using active learning strategies and innovative teaching models. This program exemplifies how hybrid approaches can be practically implemented in schools, demonstrating their effectiveness in fostering creativity.
Dr. Tal D. Ben-Soussan explores the role of meditation and mindful movement practices in stimulating children’s creative potential. By integrating mindfulness into the school day, Dr. Ben-Soussan demonstrates how teachers can create conditions that nurture and sustain creativity across various learning environments.
Finally, Dr. Antonio De Fano addresses the critical issue of assessing creativity in school contexts. Dr. De Fano emphasizes the importance of distinguishing creativity from related constructs such as divergent thinking/movement ability.
By bridging theoretical models, practical applications, and assessment strategies, this symposium offers a comprehensive framework for fostering creativity in schools, equipping educators with tools to nurture this essential skill in future generations.