Thomas (Tj) Mckenna Email & Phone Number

Boston, Ma, Us

Boston, Massachusetts

Lead an innovative center focused on high quality professional learning at scale, teach science education courses in the Teaching and Learning department, program development in graduate and undergraduate science education, and pursuing a professional agenda of research and service in the field of science education supported by external funding.

Scientist in Residence at the Charles H. Barrows STEM Academy, worked with students and teachers to integrate the Next Generation Science Standards and Common Core into the classroom.Led on-air television programming including live news segments, in-studio segments, and co-hosted the “Science Sunday” program that aired weekly.Curated live exhibits including aquariums and terrariums from snakes and turtles to exotics like chameleons and tarantulas. Designed and managed the 6,316 sqft Rooftop Garden, which featured 6 distinct zones of plantings.Developed and presented inquiry-based hands-on science and engineering related education programs to a variety of audiences (both adults & children) including outreach programs to Grade preK-12 classrooms and community groups, Discovery Center labs for schools, and science demonstrations for the public.Developed and continued to manage a Youth Development program using Nao Humanoid Robots to meet the needs of teens in order to develop their 21st Century skills and create interest in STEM careers, especially for students traditionally under-represented in STEM related fields, including urban youth and women.Collaborated, developed, and created science education programs/units aligned with the grade PreK-12 CT Science Framework and the Next Generation Science Standards.

Created and maintained a safe environment for orphaned and injured migratory songbirds, chimney swifts, swallows, woodpeckers, hummingbirds and killdeer eventually leading to a healthy reintroduction into the wild.

Taught early childhood science lessons, to multiple classrooms in the preschool program, and worked with 80-100 students K-5, in a multi-site enrichment program teaching curriculum in Science and Technology.•Created curriculum which was used to engage students and over the course of the program, participation increased from 26% to over 60%.

Waterford, Ct

Created and implemented lessons for summer and Saturday computer programs for students in grades K-5 from various school systems. Used many types of technology including computers, scanners, digital cameras and video equipment to assist students in creating slide show presentations.

Doctor Of Philosophy - Phd, Curriculum And Instruction

Master Of Science (M.S.), Entomology

Bachelor Of Science (Bs), Biology - Animal Behavior