STEM Fest: Conference | Expo | Networking
Wednesday, June 17, 2026, 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM, at TCHS-Pickering
Join us for STEM Fest 2026, a one-day professional learning event dedicated to inspiring and empowering educators to elevate STEM instruction in their schools and districts. This event brings together educators, leaders, and partners for a dynamic day of learning, networking, and celebration. Whether you're an elementary teacher, secondary educator, or district leader, STEM Fest offers tools, strategies, and connections to strengthen STEM teaching and learning in your community.
Thomas “TJ” McKenna
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.
Keynote Presentation
Making Sense of Sensemaking: What it Looks Like When Students do the Thinking
Students learn more deeply when they do the thinking, and that requires shifts in how we design and support STEM instruction. In this session, we will experience a short sensemaking routine and unpack the key moves that help students build explanations from curiosity, evidence, and collaboration. We will look at how these moves align with STEELS expectations and how they change the work of both teachers and leaders. Participants will leave with a clearer picture of what sensemaking looks like in real classrooms, why it strengthens engagement and understanding, and how to begin using these practices in instruction, coaching, and schoolwide planning.
