TJ McKenna
Clinical assistant professor, Wheelock College
Thomas “TJ” McKenna is a clinical assistant professor of science education at Boston University’s Wheelock College of Education & Human Development and the director of the Center for STEM Professional Learning at Scale. With over 20 years of expertise spanning scientific research, classroom teaching, informal education, and teacher preparation, Dr. McKenna is dedicated to bridging the gap between policy, practice, and research to enhance STEM education for all learners.
Dr. McKenna specializes in supporting preservice and inservice educators in delivering high-quality, phenomena-based science learning experiences aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). As the founder of Phenomena for NGSS (www.ngssphenomena.com), he has developed innovative resources to help teachers make science engaging and accessible for students.
A seasoned science communicator and educator, Dr. McKenna’s on-air experience has honed his ability to distill complex scientific concepts into relatable and exciting opportunities for sensemaking. In his current role, he teaches STEM education courses, conducts research on scaling effective professional development, and leads initiatives to promote sensemaking in STEM education. His work continues to address the systemic challenges of equipping educators to inspire the next generation of STEM thinkers.
