Alberto Manzi and the ‘Tale’ of Science. The Case of the Series ‘Incontri con la Natura’

Abstract

The article traces the origins and pedagogical meaning of the series “Incontri con la natura”, conceived and directed by Alberto Manzi for the publishing house La Scuola of Brescia between 1959 and the early 1960s. Rooted in civic commitment and early environmental awareness, the project presents scientific knowledge for children as a means of moral growth and social emancipation. Through a narrative, dialogic, and interdisciplinary approach, Manzi turns science into “storytelling” and curiosity into critical awareness, anticipating the contemporary principles of environmental education and responsible citizenship.