Maria Isabel Abrantes

Maria Isabel Abrantes is a Professor at the Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, specifically in the School of Education of Viseu, where she has worked since 2012 as a Coordinating Professor. Her career spans over three decades, including roles as Assistant Professor (1996-2012) and Teacher in Polytechnic Higher Education (1990-1996). She holds a PhD in Geosciences (2005), a Master's in Coastal Sciences (1994), and a Bachelor's in Geology (1984) from Portuguese institutions.

• PhD, Geosciences (University of Aveiro, 2005)
• Master's, Coastal Sciences (University of Aveiro, 1994)
• BSc, Geology (University of Coimbra, 1984)

Her research focuses on Coastal and Marine Geology, particularly sediment dynamics in continental shelves and lagoons. More recently, she shifted toward Environmental Education and Science Education, emphasizing interdisciplinary teaching methods, outdoor learning, and sustainable development in early childhood and primary education. She coordinates projects like GreenCode (2023-2025) and Mini-Olimpíadas Experimentais de Ciência (2020-2021), integrating technology and eco-friendly practices into teacher training.

Key trends in her publications include:

• Sediment dynamics in Portuguese coastal zones (2005-2011)
• Interdisciplinary approaches in higher education (2017-2019)
• Outdoor play-based learning for environmental education (2015-2018)
• Science teaching innovations for primary educators (2018-2021)
• ICT tools for environmental health monitoring in schools (2019)

She has served as a thesis advisor for over a dozen Mestrado students, co-organizer of educational conferences like Olhares sobre a Educação, and evaluator for science textbooks. Her work bridges geological science with pedagogical innovation, emphasizing teacher training and student engagement through experimental, nature-connected learning.