Lily K. Donaldson
I’m a Planetarian, Computer Science teacher and an advocate for STEM and Arts Education working to bridge educational gaps, especially among disadvantaged K-12 students.
As a technologist and educator that’s worked with people from all walks of life (from kindergartners in rural New Mexico to NASA scientists in New York City), I’ve developed excellent communication skills, technical aptitude, and the ability to empathetically support and empower people from highly diverse backgrounds in science and technology, and beyond.
Connect with me to learn more about my innovative STEM education work (and more)!
me @ lilykdonaldson.com | arttechnically.org
Lily K. Donaldson
I’m a Planetarian, Computer Science teacher and an advocate for STEM and Arts Education working to bridge educational gaps, especially among disadvantaged K-12 students.
As a technologist and educator that’s worked with people from all walks of life (from kindergartners in rural New Mexico to NASA scientists in New York City), I’ve developed excellent communication skills, technical aptitude, and the ability to empathetically support and empower people from highly diverse backgrounds in science and technology, and beyond.
Connect with me to learn more about my innovative STEM education work (and more)!
me @ lilykdonaldson.com | arttechnically.org
Recent Posts
Micron CHIP Camp
We hosted 200 middle school students from across Northern VA at CHIP camp sponsored by Micron this summer!
I started working at a Planetarium
I’m off to the next big chapter 🚀 I started a new position as a Planetarium instructor in Virginia Beach!
Presenting at CSTA 2026
Greetings from the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) national conference 2026 in New Orleans!
Wrapping up my First Year Teaching
I’m reflecting on my first year teaching! I’m so thankful to SCPS for giving me this opportunity as a career switcher and to my co-workers, admin, district folks, and my students (all 400 of them) for making my first year so amazing and rewarding!
Computational Thinking and CS PD with Art Technically
Educators from across Hampton Roads participated in our Computational Thinking and Computer Science Professional Development summer session, learning about Computational Thinking and block coding.
Virginia Data Science Teacher Institute
I participated in a Computer Science and AI professional development cohort called CS-AIDE this semester.
I finished my PhD
I defended my PhD in March and participated in the hooding ceremony and commencement ceremonies at Rensselaer Polytechnic.
First Class Teacher of the Year
Grateful to my school for nominating me for First Class Teacher of the Year for the Stafford Schools Gold Star Gala.
V-Day Cards for Meals on Wheels
This year, we unveiled a new coding platform to help students learn to block code Valentine’s Day cards on code.arttechnically.org.
Space Exploration Educators Conference 2026
I presented at SEEC at Space Center Houston for the third year in a row!
COVA STEM Exploration Community Event and National STEM Day Teacher PD
With Art Technically, I hosted a table at the COVA STEM Exploration Event and taught a professional development session for educations on NASA resources in Newport News.
I became a Teacher!
Life update: I started a job as a middle school Computer Science teacher in Virginia!
New York SunWorks Youth Conference
I had so much fun talking to students at the the New York Sunworks Youth Conference about careers in CEA (Controlled Environment Agriculture) on behalf of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Art Technically.
2025 Travels to Milan, Montreal, and NYC
Some travels to Milan, Italy for my friend Connie’s wedding, Montreal, NYC, and Virginia Beach.
Our Students are Q&A’ing with Astronauts in Space
Richmond Hill High School in Queens, NY is uplinking to the International Space Station! As part of NASA’s In Flight Educational Downlink program, students at RHHS participated in STEM and STEAM workshops (including Art Technically’s Astrobotany workshop shown here) to prepare questions for astronauts.
New York Botanical Garden’s Orchid Show
I went to the New York Botanical Garden’s Spring 2025 Orchid Show with my friend JoBelle!
I spoke at American University’s New Eagles Day
I was the alumni keynote speaker at American University’s New Eagles Day 2025.
I taught PD at the Space Exploration Educators Conference at Space Center Houston
My former NASA educator partner and I presented educator sessions on Astrobotany and Sangmin’s NASA unit plan ‘Cloudy with a Chance of Science’ on studying extreme weather from space during the 2025 Space Exploration Educators Conference at Space Center Houston.
Teaching Workshops for Black Families Technology Awareness Day 2025
I taught workshops on Creative Coding and Astrobotany to K-12 students at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Black Families Technology Awareness Day 2025.
Presenting at the American Geophysical Union Annual Meeting
My NASA CCRI (Climate Change Research Initiative) teammate, Sangmin Pak, and I presented a poster at #AGU24 (American Geophysical Union Annual Meeting) in #WashingtonDC on “Advancing Digital Literacy in K-12 with Art Technically: Cloudy with a Chance of Science”!
St. Jude Memphis Marathon
I did the 10K race at the 2024 St. Jude Memphis Marathon weekend as part of Team Alyssa and Dude Rocks!
October/November 2024 Travels
Some travels to DC for a Federal Innovators workshop, LEGOLAND New York, St. Augustine for Thanksgiving, and Orlando to celebrate my 25th birthday with my twin sister.
Halloween and Election Day!
Some Halloween festivities (including with Big Brothers Big Sisters) and the November election day!
Coastal Virginia Community STEM Exploration Day
Coding Valentines Day cards and speaking to students about STEAM careers at the Coastal Virginia Community STEM Exploration Day!