Maya Giugni

Maya Giugni is a Lecturer at the Department of Education and Learning within the Higher Education School at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI) in Locarno. Born in Locarno on September 9, 1976, she brings extensive practical teaching experience to her academic role.

Her educational background includes a degree in Educational Sciences from the University of Bologna (2002) and a Master's in Environmental Education from the University of Padua (2004). Her professional journey spans teaching in Ticino middle schools, developing educational projects in Italy, and working as an adult trainer in professional reintegration programs.

Dr. Giugni's research focuses on environmental education, teacher training, and science education for young children. Her work examines how pre-service teachers understand science concepts and how they can better recognize scientific thinking in early childhood education. Her notable publication 'The many sides of the Moon' (2013) explores the relationship between teachers' scientific conceptions and children's natural reasoning abilities.

She currently teaches Environment II and Annual Planning courses, drawing on her practical experience to prepare future educators. Her approach emphasizes that effective science education requires teachers to recognize children's innate scientific thinking capabilities rather than treating science as merely a collection of facts.