time exposed photo of headlights in urban center

Papadonis, John

Senior Instructor
Science Education Program Chair
M.S.
University of Massachusetts/Lowell
Boston
(617) 873-0292
School Affiliation

Cambridge College School of Education

Academic Focus

Science education

Community Involvement

Representative to the City of Cambridge STEAM initiative 2015-16: Assisted with the planning and creation of a STEAM department for the Cambridge Community of Learners.

Education

Northeastern University, Boston - CAGS candidate
M.Ed. - University of Massachusetts, Lowell - Supervision
B.S. - Nasson College, Springvale, ME - Biology

Professional Experience

Cambridge College:

  • Program Chair Science Education
  • TEAC and Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Accreditation Chair
  • Interim Associate Dean for School of Education, 2013
  • Science Colloquium Organizer for MA Science/Engineering Standards, 2015 and 2016

Burlington Science Center: Burlington Public Schools, Burlington, MA / 1972-1984 / Middle School 7-8 (1972-84), Founder and Coordinator/Director of the Burlington Science Center /  K-8 (1984-2012).

McGraw-Hill Publishers (2016)- Reviewer  and consultant for 2016 MH Middle School Integrated Science Textbook Series and Elementary Science Inspire Text series.

New England Aquarium, Boston, MA / Teacher Resource Center Instructor and Educational Exhibit Designer / 1971-2007 / Marine Educator - Teaching K-8 Science Teachers

Museum Institute for Teaching Science (MITS) / Boston, MA / 1999-2007 / Instructor, Teaching K-8 Teachers Professional Development- Science

Eastern Nazarene College, Quincy, MA / 1997-2002 / Visiting Professor in Elementary and Middle School Science Methods.

Science Education Consultant: Presenting effective professional development for Elementary And Middle School Science Teachers.  Special focus on alignment and understanding of the Massachusetts Science and Engineering/Technology Standards 2016

Harcourt Testing – San Antonio, TX    Professional Science Assessment Developer

Delta Education – Nashua, NH   Author and kit developer of Oceans Science Module

Lyons and Zarumba Design – Boston, MA    Museum exhibit consultant
 

Awards & Recognitions
  • Massachusetts Science Educator’s Hall of Fame – Inducted 2009
  • Massachusetts Teacher of the Year – finalist 2008
  • Boston Globe /two full feature stories on personal accomplishments at the Burlington Science Center 2006 and 2008
  • Amgen Award nomination 2006
  • Burlington Education Foundation / STARLAB Award for Exceptional Science Instruction in the Burlington Community 2006
  • Project Zero - Harvard Graduate School of Education - consulting / Science Misconceptions Studies with Dr. Tina Grozier
Research & Publications

Authored “Oceans” module for Delta Education Inc., Nashua, NH

Selected Presentations
  • Burlington Public Schools - provide staff development on a regular basis for K-8 teachers. 

Some of my most notable professional development days include: 

  • Engineering in the Elementary Curriculum and The Marriage of Math and Science Utilizing the Tools of the Trade
  • Ministry of Education, Barbados - presented a three-day professional development series for elementary and middle school teachers highlighting best practices in hands-on science education - October 2006 on Barbados Island
  • Lesley College Kindergarten Conference- Early Childhood Science Presenter
  • PAL Professional Development Conference - Lexington - Early Childhood Science Presenter - 2008-2010
  • Greater Boston Early Childhood Collaborative- consultant for Early Childhood Science Professional Development - 2010
     
Professional Memberships & Affiliations
  • Massachusetts Department of Education (grade 5 MCAS science assessment development)
  • Northeast Science Supervisors
  • Massachusetts Science Teachers Association (MAST)