Tara Easter McGovern

About Tara Easter McGovern

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) Educator focusing on engaging students in project-based design thinking and innovation by integrating my twenty plus years of engineer experience in the new product & new technology introduction area into my weekly lessons as examples of real-world applications.

Experience

1. Stem Education Elementary Level - K5 through 5th Grades

   First Presbyterian Academy

   Aug 2017 — Present · Greenville, SC, US

   I instructed approximately 180 students weekly focusing on collaborative, project-based STEM learning experiences based on International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) standards. • Developed and defined the STEM curriculum for the elementary school incorporating a continuous improvement process taking lessons and building upon them year over year. • Integrated the engineering design process (EDP) thinking and innovation into a variety of individual and collaborative project-based challenges.• Introduced basic coding and robotic curriculum including: Code.org, Kodable, Scratch, Ozobots, & Wonder Workshop (Dash & Dot)• Reinforced the scientific method with engaging physical science experiments and math projects.

Education

• Clemson University

  Bachelor's degree, Mechanical Engineering

  1990 — 1994

• Clemson University

  Master of Science - MS, Material Science & Engineering

  1994 — 1997

Skills

• Team Leadership
• Coatings Technology
• Materials Science
• Systems Engineering
• Turbines
• Engineering Design
• Microsoft Office
• Turbomachinery
• Product Development
• Power Plants
• Production Process Development
• Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (Fmea)
• Budget Management
• Design of Experiments
• Manufacturing
• Tribology
• Change Management
• Lean Six Sigma
• Gas Turbines
• Project Management
• Operating Budgets
• Thermal Spray
• Mechanical Engineering
• Research and Development (R&D)
• Engineering
• Aerospace
• Six Sigma
• Dmaic
• Power Generation
• Coatings