For the June’s Top Tips we sat down with our Beacon of the Year 2025 winner: Maria Xanthoudaki. She is the Director of Education and the Centre for Research in Informal Education (CREI) at the Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology in Milan, Italy

Reading -

I am more into journals this period aseverything evolves constantly, thus more than ever necessitates reflection. Among the many, two readings I follow with respect are the Atlantic and theremake.org. But I would often go back to the Classics - Piaget, Ackermann, Papert, Bruner, Hein, Dewey, Montessori, Malaguzzi, Csikszentmilalyi - to look for, and find, their visionary advice.

Listening -

To the news on the radio early in the morning, and lately to Lady Gaga; I know it doesn’t sound like me, but sharp clear voices I’ve always loved. And then there is always the one and only, The Boss (Bruno Springsteen), cause it is not only the music, it is the lyrics that really carry weight.

Following -

LinkedIn mostly, a good way to keep up to date with what my community works on.

Keep me up at night -

I shall stay on the positive side and say that when I am in a moment of elaborating a new idea I would bring it with me day and night until I have it mature and ready to get out there and become something concrete.

Being recently -

To London, for me among the top destinations for inspiration; and always a bit like going back home.

Plan to go -

To a live concert of Bruce Springsteen, soon! And to Milan in October to attend the Festival for Creative Learning we organise at the Museum haha

Want to read more? Check out our Top Tips archive here.