COVID-19 Updates
Updated April 1, 2021

We will continue remote teaching this summer with an expectation to return to classrooms in Fall 2021. See details. 

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)