TJ McKenna
@tjscience.bsky.social
Science Education at Boston University, Director of the Center for STEM PL@Scale, UConn Ph.D, M.S. Entomology, & lover of all things phenomena!
Call for Submissions: Educational Designer Special Issue on "Design for Joy"
What if we could systematically design educational experiences that generate genuine joy in learning?
Abstracts due Aug 1, 2025
Submit here: forms.gle/YguBReMhWBcW...
#EducationalDesign #JoyfulLearning
What if we could systematically design educational experiences that generate genuine joy in learning?
Abstracts due Aug 1, 2025
Submit here: forms.gle/YguBReMhWBcW...
#EducationalDesign #JoyfulLearning
June 23, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Call for Submissions: Educational Designer Special Issue on "Design for Joy"
What if we could systematically design educational experiences that generate genuine joy in learning?
Abstracts due Aug 1, 2025
Submit here: forms.gle/YguBReMhWBcW...
#EducationalDesign #JoyfulLearning
What if we could systematically design educational experiences that generate genuine joy in learning?
Abstracts due Aug 1, 2025
Submit here: forms.gle/YguBReMhWBcW...
#EducationalDesign #JoyfulLearning
Just found out my book "Making Sense of Sensemaking: Designing Authentic K-12 STEM Learning Experiences" is available at the AERA conference in Denver!! How exciting to see you out in the world!! @buwheelock.bsky.social @aeraedresearch.bsky.social @tcpress.bsky.social
April 25, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Just found out my book "Making Sense of Sensemaking: Designing Authentic K-12 STEM Learning Experiences" is available at the AERA conference in Denver!! How exciting to see you out in the world!! @buwheelock.bsky.social @aeraedresearch.bsky.social @tcpress.bsky.social
IT'S HERE! Just captured the magical moment of seeing "Making Sense of Sensemaking: Designing Authentic K–12 STEM Learning Experiences" in physical form for the first time. Still can't believe it's real! My book, co-published by Teachers College Press and NSTA, is now making its way into the world!
April 25, 2025 at 1:43 AM
IT'S HERE! Just captured the magical moment of seeing "Making Sense of Sensemaking: Designing Authentic K–12 STEM Learning Experiences" in physical form for the first time. Still can't believe it's real! My book, co-published by Teachers College Press and NSTA, is now making its way into the world!
Huge thanks to everyone who came to my NSTA session Making Sense of Sensemaking—especially for showing up to the very last slot of the conference! Grateful for the energy, curiosity, and commitment to authentic K–12 learning!! By for now Philly!!
March 30, 2025 at 2:43 AM
Huge thanks to everyone who came to my NSTA session Making Sense of Sensemaking—especially for showing up to the very last slot of the conference! Grateful for the energy, curiosity, and commitment to authentic K–12 learning!! By for now Philly!!
Just a quick train ride from DC to Philly, and now NSTA is in full swing! It’s always a joy reconnecting with colleagues and diving into all things science education. Excited for presentations starting tomorrow—especially after an energizing class with my Secondary Science Methods students tonight.
March 28, 2025 at 1:54 AM
Just a quick train ride from DC to Philly, and now NSTA is in full swing! It’s always a joy reconnecting with colleagues and diving into all things science education. Excited for presentations starting tomorrow—especially after an energizing class with my Secondary Science Methods students tonight.
Just in time for NARST + NSTA: I launched a production-ready NGSS Curriculum Coach—an LLM-powered, retrieval-augmented app! Streamlit-hosted, metadata-rich, and designed to support teachers with smart search, coaching prompts, and NGSS-aligned materials.
March 23, 2025 at 3:11 AM
Just in time for NARST + NSTA: I launched a production-ready NGSS Curriculum Coach—an LLM-powered, retrieval-augmented app! Streamlit-hosted, metadata-rich, and designed to support teachers with smart search, coaching prompts, and NGSS-aligned materials.
Warner's "More Than Words" aligns with my teaching approach: writing as sensemaking, not just communication. While AI generates polished text, it can't replicate the struggle of genuine thought. In the AI era, we must emphasize writing as exploration, not performance. @biblioracle.bsky.social #AI
March 16, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Warner's "More Than Words" aligns with my teaching approach: writing as sensemaking, not just communication. While AI generates polished text, it can't replicate the struggle of genuine thought. In the AI era, we must emphasize writing as exploration, not performance. @biblioracle.bsky.social #AI
Just launched an AI-powered STEM career guidance tool for Boston University students! 🎓 Uses Claude 3.7 to match personal interests and values with tailored career pathways. Helping students find their direction in STEM! Check it out: poe.com/STEMCareerCo... #AIinEducation #STEMCareers
February 27, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Just launched an AI-powered STEM career guidance tool for Boston University students! 🎓 Uses Claude 3.7 to match personal interests and values with tailored career pathways. Helping students find their direction in STEM! Check it out: poe.com/STEMCareerCo... #AIinEducation #STEMCareers
Join us for the 2025 Curiosity & Learning Conference at Boston University - a morning of hands-on STEAM exploration and learning. This isn't your typical conference - instead of lectures, you'll find interactive stations where you can experiment with new ideas and materials. @buwheelock.bsky.social
February 11, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Join us for the 2025 Curiosity & Learning Conference at Boston University - a morning of hands-on STEAM exploration and learning. This isn't your typical conference - instead of lectures, you'll find interactive stations where you can experiment with new ideas and materials. @buwheelock.bsky.social
Tonight, I introduced Kebbi the robot & Movia’s Robot-Assisted Instruction system to @buwheelock.bsky.social Assistive Technology class! My grant-funded research explores how to prepare preservice and inservice educators to thoughtfully integrate emerging tech like Kebbi, supporting all students.
February 6, 2025 at 1:42 AM
Tonight, I introduced Kebbi the robot & Movia’s Robot-Assisted Instruction system to @buwheelock.bsky.social Assistive Technology class! My grant-funded research explores how to prepare preservice and inservice educators to thoughtfully integrate emerging tech like Kebbi, supporting all students.
Excited to welcome PBS/NOVA's Ralph Bouquet to our STEM Learning course today! From teaching science in Philly to leading NOVA's education initiatives, Ralph shows how to make science accessible & engaging for all. Thank you for sharing your journey in building bridges between science & society!
January 31, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Excited to welcome PBS/NOVA's Ralph Bouquet to our STEM Learning course today! From teaching science in Philly to leading NOVA's education initiatives, Ralph shows how to make science accessible & engaging for all. Thank you for sharing your journey in building bridges between science & society!
While more research on DeepSeek's development is needed, it fascinates that it learned to have "aha moments" - recognizing when its thinking needs a reset, just like humans do. This wasn't programmed, but emerged naturally, suggesting self-reflection might be fundamental to intelligence itself. #AI
January 29, 2025 at 8:08 PM
While more research on DeepSeek's development is needed, it fascinates that it learned to have "aha moments" - recognizing when its thinking needs a reset, just like humans do. This wasn't programmed, but emerged naturally, suggesting self-reflection might be fundamental to intelligence itself. #AI
How do we break STEM stereotypes? Today, my first-year students explored self-identity vs. external perceptions. Reflecting on the "STEM person" image sparked powerful discussions on diversity, creativity, and skills beyond tech. Excited to learn more together! #STEMEducation @buwheelock.bsky.social
January 27, 2025 at 7:39 PM
How do we break STEM stereotypes? Today, my first-year students explored self-identity vs. external perceptions. Reflecting on the "STEM person" image sparked powerful discussions on diversity, creativity, and skills beyond tech. Excited to learn more together! #STEMEducation @buwheelock.bsky.social
Thrilled to see the Teachers College Press Spring catalog is out, featuring my book Making Sense of Sensemaking! Honored to share space with incredible works like my colleague @eveimanz.bsky.social’s Productive Uncertainty in Science Education. Check it out here: lnkd.in/gPfNJW6P
January 25, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Thrilled to see the Teachers College Press Spring catalog is out, featuring my book Making Sense of Sensemaking! Honored to share space with incredible works like my colleague @eveimanz.bsky.social’s Productive Uncertainty in Science Education. Check it out here: lnkd.in/gPfNJW6P
Love watching future teachers discover science phenomena in their everyday lives through this NGSS Phenomena 15-day challenge. Science truly is everywhere! #ScienceEducation @buwheelock.bsky.social #ngss #phenomena
December 16, 2024 at 6:13 PM
Love watching future teachers discover science phenomena in their everyday lives through this NGSS Phenomena 15-day challenge. Science truly is everywhere! #ScienceEducation @buwheelock.bsky.social #ngss #phenomena
Excited to share Jennifer Cohen’s Sensemaking in STEM project! She created a children’s book that uses roller coasters 🎢 to explain gravitational illusions, making physics fun and relatable. Check it out: 📖 #STEMEducation #PhysicsForKids drive.google.com/file/d/1Nmi_... @buwheelock.bsky.social
December 8, 2024 at 8:45 PM
Excited to share Jennifer Cohen’s Sensemaking in STEM project! She created a children’s book that uses roller coasters 🎢 to explain gravitational illusions, making physics fun and relatable. Check it out: 📖 #STEMEducation #PhysicsForKids drive.google.com/file/d/1Nmi_... @buwheelock.bsky.social
Hit the sheets and threw some stones tonight! My delivery was solid, but my draws didn’t find the house😔. They made me the skip and our team hurried hard - a bonspiel to remember! 🥌 #SWEEP #CurlingLife #HurryHard
December 8, 2024 at 3:13 AM
Hit the sheets and threw some stones tonight! My delivery was solid, but my draws didn’t find the house😔. They made me the skip and our team hurried hard - a bonspiel to remember! 🥌 #SWEEP #CurlingLife #HurryHard
Excited to share another incredible student project from Sensemaking in STEM! Iris Ren's beautiful visual exploration of computer graphics combines art and CS, using storytelling + illustration to make complex concepts feel accessible. This is what STEM education should be! @buwheelock.bsky.social
December 7, 2024 at 4:57 PM
Excited to share another incredible student project from Sensemaking in STEM! Iris Ren's beautiful visual exploration of computer graphics combines art and CS, using storytelling + illustration to make complex concepts feel accessible. This is what STEM education should be! @buwheelock.bsky.social
Submitted our proposal for the MA Science Performance Assessment Ambassador Program—a $1,240,000 initiative to support educators & advance equitable science education statewide. The project brings together Dr. Sara Cooper & Vivayic to provide innovative tools for science assessments.
December 5, 2024 at 12:45 PM
Submitted our proposal for the MA Science Performance Assessment Ambassador Program—a $1,240,000 initiative to support educators & advance equitable science education statewide. The project brings together Dr. Sara Cooper & Vivayic to provide innovative tools for science assessments.
On nights and weekends I lead a cancer charity foundation who has raised and donated over $100,000 to the Smilow Cancer Center. Tonight was one of our favorite events, our Holiday Wreath Class #charity #cancercharity #nonprofit #findacure lindsayslegacyfoundation.org
November 26, 2024 at 2:47 AM
On nights and weekends I lead a cancer charity foundation who has raised and donated over $100,000 to the Smilow Cancer Center. Tonight was one of our favorite events, our Holiday Wreath Class #charity #cancercharity #nonprofit #findacure lindsayslegacyfoundation.org
Recently sent the manuscript for my book, Making Sense of Sensemaking: Designing Authentic K–12 STEM Learning Experiences, to Teachers College Press! Years in the making, shaped by many insights and countless conversations. Can’t wait to share it in a few months!
#STEMEducation #Sensemaking
#STEMEducation #Sensemaking
November 23, 2024 at 12:50 PM
Recently sent the manuscript for my book, Making Sense of Sensemaking: Designing Authentic K–12 STEM Learning Experiences, to Teachers College Press! Years in the making, shaped by many insights and countless conversations. Can’t wait to share it in a few months!
#STEMEducation #Sensemaking
#STEMEducation #Sensemaking
Wrapped up our Sensemaking today with water gels! Students connected science to life. Also a touching note from a student I’ve worked with since 1st grade: "Thank you for letting me be my own scientist.." This is why we teach – to nurture curiosity and empower young minds.
November 23, 2024 at 3:39 AM
Wrapped up our Sensemaking today with water gels! Students connected science to life. Also a touching note from a student I’ve worked with since 1st grade: "Thank you for letting me be my own scientist.." This is why we teach – to nurture curiosity and empower young minds.
Lindsay’s Legacy Foundation is proud to donate $25,000 today to Smilow Cancer Center, bringing our total contributions to over $100,000. We also created a ton of craft kits for patients facing extended stays. A big thank you to our community for helping us bring hope and support to those in need.
November 19, 2024 at 7:00 PM
Lindsay’s Legacy Foundation is proud to donate $25,000 today to Smilow Cancer Center, bringing our total contributions to over $100,000. We also created a ton of craft kits for patients facing extended stays. A big thank you to our community for helping us bring hope and support to those in need.