We describe the experience of a residential professional development program for high school
teachers, known as PID (Programma INFN per Docenti). Each course is structured as a week-
long activity, from Monday to Friday, and combines lectures with four hands-on laboratory
sessions through which participants, organized into small groups, rotate. Both the lectures and
the laboratory activities are directly linked to the research carried out at the INFN host facility.
The central idea of the program is to encourage teachers to reinterpret and adapt the acquired
knowledge into educational activities, drawing on their own creativity and professional exper-
tise. The program aims to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of INFN
research in Italy, to strengthen or develop laboratory measurement skills, and to foster direct and
sustained interaction with researchers. In addition, the residential format supports the creation
of professional networks among participants, promoting the exchange of knowledge, experiences,
and opportunities such as courses and internships. We conclude by reporting and discussing the
results obtained within the framework of the program.