Morgan Jayne McKeen

Morgan Jayne McKeen is an innovative educator, science communicator, and award-winning teacher from Auckland, New Zealand. With a Bachelor of Education from the University of Auckland, Morgan has dedicated over a decade to transforming learning experiences for primary school students aged 5-11 at Milford School and Parnell District School. She combines hands-on STEM teaching, inquiry-based learning, and cross-curricular projects to ignite curiosity and develop critical thinking, digital skills, and environmental awareness in her students. 

Morgan’s teaching philosophy centres on connection and inclusion. She works tirelessly to understand her students’ backgrounds, cultural experiences, and unique learning needs, fostering a classroom culture where curiosity, creativity, and confidence flourish. Her innovative approach blends storytelling with science, linking practical experiments to literacy, environmental stewardship, and digital technologies. She has successfully implemented projects such as sustainability investigations, ecosystem explorations, and citizen-science campaigns, empowering students to take meaningful action in their communities. 

Beyond the classroom, Morgan is the creator of STEM with M, a digital science communication platform reaching over 350,000 followers across TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook. Through this platform, she shares curriculum-aligned, hands-on science experiments, digital storytelling resources, and environmental education content for students, families, and educators nationwide. Her efforts have been recognised by TikTok ANZ (Australia New Zealand), the University of Auckland (as one of their 40 Under 40 Change Makers), and partnerships with Universal and Paramount Pictures to create STEM content for major films including Sonic 2 and Minions: Rise of Gru. Morgan has also delivered science workshops for SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s and facilitated initiatives such as Ocean Youth Aotearoa Project Day. 

Morgan’s dedication extends to teacher development and professional leadership. She has trained hundreds of teachers across New Zealand and internationally as a Microsoft Teacher Ambassador and STEM Education Manager, sharing practical strategies for digital pedagogy, inclusive practice, and student-led inquiry. Her work ensures that effective STEM education is scalable, sustainable, and accessible to schools with diverse resources and learners. 

Her students demonstrate remarkable engagement and measurable outcomes: increased confidence in science, literacy, and digital skills; active participation in school sustainability initiatives; and improved critical thinking and problem-solving. Morgan’s efforts instil a sense of global citizenship, encouraging students to connect with peers worldwide through collaborative projects addressing climate change, biodiversity, and sustainable development. 

If awarded the Global Teacher Prize, Morgan plans to deepen her pedagogical expertise through further study in science education or marine biology, expand her STEM content creation, and develop a digital resource hub for educators. Her overarching mission remains clear: to inspire curiosity, foster resilience, and empower the next generation of learners to engage meaningfully with the world around them.