TJ McKenna

Science Education at Boston University, UConn Ph.D, M.S. Entomology, & lover of all things phenomena! Tweets are my own

[TJ McKenna @tjscience]

I built Phenomena Lab: a board of real science mysteries for kids. They tap one and become the scientist. Hands-on, no chatbot, no ads, free.

It’s reached 43 states so far. Let’s get it into all 50 this summer.

https://t.co/Cw9WZtU1kh #ngss #science

[ISTE+ASCD @ISTE_ASCD]

How do we move from teaching facts to helping students authentically make sense of the world? 🧬 Thomas McKenna shares 10 ways to center sensemaking and value student wonder: https://t.co/99j8fnl9Oi

#STEM #EdChat #ScienceEd

[TJ McKenna @tjscience]

1,000% growth in three weeks. 73 schools. 23 states. 3 countries. Not from a launch campaign —from teachers finding it & sending it to the next person.

If you know someone using OpenSciEd, send it their way.

https://t.co/SonMb80N1Q

#OpenSciEd #ScienceEducation #NGSS #ngsschat

[TJ McKenna @tjscience]

I built an AI coach for @OpenSciEd teachers. Ask it anything about your curriculum. It knows every lesson, every unit, every standard. Free to use. 13 states in. Try it, share it! https://t.co/lIObjHOaGx #ngss #ngsschat #scienceed #AI

[TJ McKenna @tjscience]

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: https://t.co/RLbF8i8Gkj
#EducationalDesign #JoyfulLearning

[TJ McKenna @tjscience]

🚀 Calling all curious minds! The #CuriosityConference is coming soon!

Learn, play & network with industry pros and fellow students. Interactive workshops, hands-on demos, and mind-expanding talks all in one incredible event!

Register: https://t.co/ZIwD6nDwrt

[TJ McKenna @tjscience]

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:
https://t.co/DtEfj30rJm

[TJ McKenna @tjscience]

��� Educators & Leaders in STEM: How do we make complex concepts accessible & meaningful?
My new book transforms STEM education through better sensemaking strategies, bridging the gap between abstract concepts & real understanding.
Learn more: https://t.co/8OHmQaOmMT

[TJ McKenna @tjscience]

Excited to welcome @PBS/@NOVA's Ralph Bouquet to my 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 connecting science & society!

[TJ McKenna @tjscience]

DeepSeek's 'aha moments'—recognizing when its thinking needs a reset—fascinate me. This self-reflection wasn't programmed but emerged naturally, hinting it might be fundamental to intelligence itself.

[TJ McKenna @tjscience]

They’re all going to have a great time and learn a ton!!! 👏👏👏

[Dr Frederick Osman @OsmanFrederick]

Welcome to our BU Sydney Students studying this semester at the University of Sydney.
#usyd @mscott #busydney @BU_Tweets @tgnsw @tjscience

[TJ McKenna @tjscience]

@OsmanFrederick @tgnsw @BU_Tweets @NSWEducation @AIPNSW @CathSchoolsNSW @royalsocnsw @nswppa @NSWSPC @LazstaPresident @dizdarm @pruecar

[TJ McKenna @tjscience]

Love watching future teachers discover science phenomena in their everyday lives through this @NGSSphenomena 15-day challenge. Science truly is everywhere! #ScienceEducation @BUWheelock

[TJ McKenna @tjscience]

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 https://t.co/cmJV08Rqma

[TJ McKenna @tjscience]

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

[TJ McKenna @tjscience]

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 STEAM education should be!

[TJ McKenna @tjscience]

Next up is Scarlett’s project from Sensemaking in STEM! As a @NEAQ interpreter, she created a stunning collage-based book on sustainable seafood. Her work is already a hit and I’ll be printing hard copies for the aquarium’s new reading corner! @BUWheelock https://t.co/lWZvhO9egN

[TJ McKenna @tjscience]

🌟 Excited to share Carolina’s project from Sensemaking in STEM!

Her work on Sensemaking in High School Mathematics highlights innovative ways to engage students, connect abstract math to real-world contexts, and promote deeper understanding.

🔗 https://t.co/kRwKG7xldd

[TJ McKenna @tjscience]

@jptmcsci300 Thank you 🙏

[TJ McKenna @tjscience]

We’re excited to submit our proposal for the Massachusetts Science Performance Assessment (SPA) Ambassador Program! This $1.24M initiative aims to support educators with tools for equitable, high-quality science learning aligned with MA STE standards.