Thomas TJ McKenna | SpeakerHub

Personal Details

Bio

I’m an author, science educator, and speaker focused on helping people make sense of complexity in a world shaped by rapid change and emerging technologies. I serve as Director of the Center for STEM Professional Learning at Scale and Clinical Assistant Professor at Boston University, where my work bridges the worlds of science education, systems design, and AI in learning.

I’m the author of Making Sense of Sensemaking (Teachers College Press and NSTA Press), which reached #1 on Amazon in STEM Education. I also founded NGSSPhenomena.com, a global resource platform that has supported over 5 million educators in 100+ countries. My talks are designed to spark curiosity, deepen thinking, and help audiences—from teachers to CEOs—grapple with the real challenges of learning, leading, and innovating in complex environments.

Before academia, I spent nearly a decade as a live, on-air science communicator for CBS in Connecticut. That media background still shapes how I engage audiences: with energy, clarity, and stories that stick.

I work with schools, nonprofits, and businesses seeking keynote talks, workshop facilitation, or strategic learning design around sensemaking, science, and the human side of AI.

Current position (1)

Director, Center for STEM PL @ Scale, Faculty

Boston University

Degrees (1)

PhD in Science Education

University of Connecticut

2017 to 2022

Presentations

Presentations (5)

Making Sense of Sensemaking: Teaching, Leading, and Learning in a World of Too Much Information

In the age of AI, information is everywhere—but understanding is rare. This keynote explores how educators and leaders can foster true sensemaking: helping people ask better questions, work with evidence, and navigate uncertainty. Grounded in my book and global work with NGSSPhenomena.com, this talk blends science, systems thinking, and storytelling to reimagine how we teach, lead, and learn.

Scaling What Works: Designing High-Impact Learning Systems That Stick

Why do so many great learning innovations fail to spread? In this talk, I share practical strategies for designing professional learning and instructional models that scale—without losing what makes them effective. Drawing on two decades of experience leading national STEM education initiatives and my work as Director of the Center for STEM Professional Learning at Scale, this session offers actionable tools for leaders and teams building for impact.

Curiosity, Complexity, and the Age of AI: A Human-Centered Approach to the Future of Learning

AI is transforming how we access knowledge—but the real challenge is helping people make sense of it. This talk explores how to center curiosity, critical thinking, and joyful learning in a time of accelerating automation. Whether you're an educator, team leader, or executive, you'll leave with concrete strategies to support human learning in complex systems.

From Good Teaching to Scalable Impact: Rethinking PD for the Age of Complexity

Great teaching doesn’t scale automatically—and one-size-fits-all PD rarely leads to lasting change. In this session, we explore how to design and lead professional development that sticks, using evidence-based strategies from science education, systems design, and adult learning theory. Whether you're supporting K–12 teachers, higher ed faculty, or cross-functional teams, you'll leave with concrete tools to help your people learn, adapt, and thrive in complex environments.

Sensemaking for Strategic Leadership: Navigating Complexity in the Age of AI

In today’s fast-moving, AI-saturated landscape, information is abundant—but clarity is rare. This keynote equips corporate leaders and teams with the tools to think critically, synthesize complexity, and make decisions that stick. Drawing on 20 years of experience in science communication, systems design, and learning innovation, I help organizations move beyond reaction and into thoughtful, adaptive leadership. Ideal for executive retreats, innovation teams, or professional learning events seeking to build collective intelligence in uncertain times.