Maria Immaculata Maya Febri

Maria Immaculata Maya Febri is an Associate Professor in Science/Science Didactics specializing in Physics at the Department of Teacher Education, Faculty of Social and Educational Sciences at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). Her work focuses on teacher education for primary and secondary schools, with emphasis on science and mathematics didactics.

Education:

• 2007: Practical pedagogical education, NTNU (mathematics, physics and science didactics)
• 1995: Ph.D. Physics, materials science, Univ. Joseph Fourier, Grenoble I, France
• 1992: French master's degree, DEA, materials structure, Univ. Joseph Fourier, Grenoble I, France
• 1992: French PhD. Engineering education, ENSPG, Grenoble, France

Maria Febri's research interests span across physics didactics, science didactics with focus on exploratory working methods, mathematics didactics, and materials science (particularly magnetic materials). Her work emphasizes inquiry-based science teaching, formative assessment, and connecting school science with real-world applications. She has been instrumental in developing curricula for science education in Norwegian teacher training programs.

Her recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on international STEM education projects, particularly those addressing inquiry-based learning, formative assessment, and community connections in science education. Many of her recent works stem from EU-funded projects like MOST (Meaningful Open Schooling Connects Schools to Communities) and NORHED II, with significant contributions to understanding science education in diverse contexts including Ethiopia.

Maria Febri has been actively involved in supervising master's students since 2017 and PhD candidates since 2019. Her research has been supported by multiple international grants including EU Horizon2020 funding for the MOST project (2020-2023) and NORHED II project (2021-2026) focused on enhancing science and mathematics education in Ethiopia and South Sudan.

She is a member of several research groups including the Lesson Design Study and Teaching Resources group and the Science Literacy in Schools and Teacher Education group at NTNU. She also serves on the European Impact Board for the MaSDiv EU project and has been involved in numerous international STEM education initiatives through the International Center for STEM Education (ICSE).