We bridge science, education and society

Innsbruck with mountains, architecture, the River Inn and a bicycle: five colour highlights reveal mathematics and physics in everyday life. — Everyday life becomes a space for discovery. Height, angles and trigonometry; symmetry in architecture; patterns and proportions, a to b; flow and energy, average flow speed v̄ = Q/A; force, motion and balance, net force F_net = ma. The world is full of STEM. MINT-BRUCK makes it visible.

Foundations of educational work

OeAD · Citizen Science – Forschen mit Schulen (2021) ↗
The guide describes researchers and teachers as mediators between science and schools. For MINT-BRUCK: developing questions together, exchanging perspectives and strengthening connections between schools and society.
OECD · Learning Compass 2030 ↗

Independent learning and the connection between knowledge, skills, attitudes and values. For MINT-BRUCK: encouraging people to ask their own questions and make informed decisions.
UNESCO · Education for Sustainable Development Goals: Learning Objectives (2017) ↗

Turning knowledge into responsible action. For MINT-BRUCK: connecting everyday phenomena with questions about the environment and resources.
European Union · Key competences for lifelong learning (2018) ↗

Mathematical and scientific competence, alongside lifelong learning. For MINT-BRUCK: understanding connections and applying knowledge in different situations.
Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) · A School’s Guide to Implementation (2024) ↗

Putting evidence-informed approaches into practice, observing and refining them to suit their context. For MINT-BRUCK: trying out activities and reflecting on feedback and observations.

These sources inform the educational approach. Their inclusion does not imply an institutional partnership, certification or endorsement of MINT-BRUCK by these organisations.

About MINT-BRUCK

MINT-BRUCK is an independent interface connecting science, education and society. Scientific expertise, educational research and teaching practice underpin research-informed mathematics and science education. Transfer works both ways: observations, questions and experiences from education and everyday life feed back into research and development.

01 STEM concepts for institutions International research, applied in primary schools and teacher education.

Scientifically grounded STEM concepts for regions, municipalities and educational institutions – from the initial idea to implementation.

Explore practice & research experience

Applied in schools and teacher education

Volksschule Innere Stadt

Innsbruck, Austria · 2024–2025

Mathematics and science in primary school enrichment activities: supporting inquiry, observing children’s reasoning and adapting activities to different learning needs.

University College of Teacher Education Tyrol

Innsbruck, Austria · 2025–2026

Mathematics didactics and reflective practice: distinguishing observation from interpretation, designing rich tasks and improving teaching plans through peer review.

Securing competitive research funding and leading projects

Successful applications for competitive research funding and scientific leadership of independent projects.

Competitive fellowships

2015–2017Lise Meitner Fellowship · Austrian Science Fund (FWF), University of Innsbruck, Austria.
2011–2013Postdoctoral fellowship for women in research and teaching · University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany.
2008–2011Postdoctoral fellowship · Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics, Garching, Germany.
2004–2007Doctoral scholarship · German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), Germany.
2002–2004Doctoral scholarship · National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), Brazil.

Scientific milestones

A reference for the chemical composition of the solar neighbourhood. Contribution to establishing the Present-day Cosmic Abundance Standard (2012).
International cotutelle doctorate (2007). Joint doctoral programme in Germany and Brazil.

Publications: 90+
Citations: 2,500+
h-index: 27

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02 Expertise & Consulting Scientific review for Hubble and the European Southern Observatory.

International scientific review experience and expertise in astrophysics inform the development of education and science concepts.

View past roles

Hubble & ESO

Hubble Space Telescope (HST)Space Telescope Science Institute, USA · 2020 · Cycle 28
Appointed by the European Space Agency (ESA) to the Stellar Physics panel to review observing proposals as part of the telescope time allocation process.
European Southern Observatory (ESO)Garching, Germany · 2017 · Period 100
Panel member of the Observing Programmes Committee, reviewing proposals for telescope observing time.

Research funding

National Agency for Scientific and Technological Promotion (ANPCyT)Argentina · 2015–2018
External reviewer of research proposals for Proyectos de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica (PICT), the scientific and technological research projects programme.
Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique (F.R.S.-FNRS)Belgium · 2019 call
External reviewer of research proposals for the Fund for Scientific Research.

Academic evaluation & examinations

Stockholm UniversityStockholm, Sweden · 2022
External opponent and committee member for a Licentiate examination.
Universidad de La LagunaTenerife, Spain · 2010
Member of a doctoral thesis examination committee.

Journal peer review

The Astrophysical Journal
The Astronomical Journal
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Publications of the Astronomical Society of Japan
Communications in Asteroseismology

Scientific Organising Committees

ESO RASPUTIN workshopGarching, Germany · 2014
Scientific Organising Committee member for “Resolved and Unresolved Stellar Populations”.
International Astronomical Union (IAU) Symposium 329Auckland, New Zealand · 2016
Scientific Organising Committee member for “The Lives and Death-Throes of Massive Stars”.

Discuss a collaboration →

03 Professional development Practical approaches for educators and educational institutions.

Workshops, talks and professional development for educators and educational institutions.

Available in German, English, Spanish, Portuguese and French.

Explore courses →

Scientific leadership

Dr. María Fernanda Nieva

connects international astrophysics, scientific review and research with teacher education and STEM learning in Tyrol, including primary school practice, talks in secondary schools and workshops for families, children and young people.

CV ↗

Contact

Press & media · selected coverage

Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics, Germany
Cosmic abundances · 2011 DE EN

Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics, Germany
Hyper-velocity star · 2009 DE EN