TJ McKenna

Thomas "TJ" McKenna, PhD, has dedicated his life to understanding how people make sense of the natural world and supporting educators in fostering this same curiosity in their students. Through two decades of experience as a scientist, educator, and science communicator, he has worked tirelessly to transform STEM education and is continuing this work at Boston University's Wheelock College of Education & Human Development, where he serves as a clinical assistant professor. Dr. McKenna's impact on science education spans the entire educational spectrum. He has worked directly with K-12 students, mentored preservice elementary and secondary teachers, and supported veteran educators across the country in their professional growth. His innovative course "Sensemaking in STEM" exemplifies his approach to teaching and learning, while his curriculum development work has helped countless educators bring phenomena-based science instruction into their classrooms. As the founder of Phenomena for NGSS, a widely-used educational resource (4.5 million views), Dr. McKenna has helped teachers nationwide embrace phenomena-based instruction, making science come alive for their students. His collaborative work with informal science institutions has created powerful bridges between classroom learning and real-world scientific exploration. As director of Boston University's Center for STEM Professional Learning at Scale, he focuses on expanding high quality STEM teaching across educational systems. Drawing from his extensive experience in formal education, informal learning environments, and on-air science communication, Dr. McKenna specializes in identifying and scaling effective STEM teaching methods. His approach combines rigorous research with practical classroom solutions, supporting educators at every level while ensuring all students have access to meaningful STEM learning experiences. Through his work, he continues to champion the importance of sensemaking in STEM education, helping both teachers and students develop curiosity, and a deeper understanding of the natural world around them.