Publications
Secondary Teachers’ Experiences in International Professional Development for Convergence Research in STEM and Tradition
A transdisciplinary professional development (PD) model, Convergence Research in STEM and Tradition (CReST), demonstrates significant potential for enhancing secondary teachers' instructional practices by integrating cultural heritage artifacts—such as Renaissance frescoes—as boundary objects. This approach fosters cross-disciplinary connections between chemistry, engineering, world history, and technology. Findings from an exploratory case study involving four secondary teachers reveal that CReST facilitated shifts toward problem-centered, artifact-anchored pedagogy, with teachers reporting the adoption of real-world conservation practices in their instructional planning. The study highlights the importance of sustained collaboration and shared tools for extending learning beyond immersive experiences. This work offers a promising framework for designing culturally grounded STEM education that bridges traditional subjects and real-world applications.
Interactive Visualization Tools for Managing the Monitoring System of the Piazza del Duomo UNESCO Site in Pisa
A breakthrough in structural health monitoring (SHM) for UNESCO World Heritage Sites, exemplified by the Piazza del Duomo in Pisa, demonstrates how advanced 3D informational models and interactive web-based platforms can revolutionize data management. This study integrates complex, heterogeneous sensor data with metadata into an accessible, user-friendly format, enabling rapid analysis of structural changes over time. The developed tools address critical gaps in monitoring systems for heritage sites, offering a scalable solution that enhances awareness and facilitates detailed examination of sensor recordings. By leveraging the historical significance and structural complexity of Pisa's site, this approach sets a new standard for managing long-term monitoring data in culturally significant contexts.
The Tower of Pisa
The Leaning Tower of Pisa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and iconic symbol of early Renaissance Romanesque architecture, was stabilized after decades of concern over its structural integrity. Key to this effort were two critical studies: one reconstructing the tower's inclination history during construction, which informed a sophisticated numerical model essential for evaluating stabilization schemes, and another revealing an unexpected foundation movement mechanism since 1911. These insights enabled the development of temporary and permanent stabilization measures that allowed the tower to reopen to the public in 2001. The research highlights the intersection of geotechnical engineering, conservation architecture, and historical analysis, offering a model for preserving at-risk heritage sites.
Understanding the acoustics of St. John’s Baptistery in Pisa through a virtual approach
St. John’s Baptistery in Pisa, renowned for its exceptional reverberation among medieval central-symmetry buildings, stands out acoustically even when compared to similar structures, piquing scholarly interest. A study leveraged virtual acoustics and numerical simulations calibrated with in situ measurements, material properties, and liturgical use data to dissect the factors influencing its unique sound behavior. By modeling both the current geometry and early design hypotheses, researchers aimed to unravel the architectural evolution shaping its acoustic signature. The analysis of a specifically recorded Gregorian chant further supported the necessity for large reverberation in this historic site, offering critical insights for its preservation.
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