Dr. Tara S. Carpenter

Dr. Tara S. Carpenter

Teaching Professor · Non-Tenure Track

Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry

College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences

Research interests

I am interested in the scholarship of teaching and learning especially in regards to challenges and strategies in large lecture courses.

Teaching interests

My educational interests are focused on activities that promote critical thinking skills. I use a variety of activities to promote student learning and encourage distributed practice. In addition to imparting knowledge of content for the course, I am interested in helping incoming novice learners adjust to the rigor of a college curriculum, appreciate science in the world around them and develop problem solving skills that will nurture their college career and enhance their future.

Education

  • Ph D, Analytical Chemistry — Duquesne University (2005)
  • BA, Chemistry — Thiel College (1999)

Publications

  • Using Reading Quizzes in STEM Classes--The What, Why, and How 2015 Journal of College Science Teaching · 45 (1) · pp. 49-55 Kalman M Nanes, Tiffany Gierasch, Sarah M Leupen, Lili Cui, Tara S Carpenter, Linda Hodges, Eric C Anderson

Presentations

  • Impact of Semester Timing on Student Outcomes in the First Course of a General Chemistry Sequence 2025 Student Success Summit · Office of the Provost, Undergraduate Academic Affairs, and the Faculty Development Center · Poster Sarah Bass (Author & Presenter), Tara S Carpenter (Presenter)
  • Personalized automated e-mail tool to connect faculty with students in large enrollment STEM courses 2020 2020 Biennial Conference on Chemical Education · Oral Presentation Sarah M Bass (Author & Presenter), Tara S Carpenter (Author)
  • Using Study Guides and Learning Objectives to Promote Metacognition in CHEM 101 2017 Provost's Teaching and Learning Symposium
  • Using learning objectives and study guides to promote metacognition in general chemistry 2017 254th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society · Oral Presentation
  • Exploring Learning Strategies in a Large Lecture General Chemistry Course 2016 252nd National Meeting of the American Chemical Society · Poster
  • Scholarship of Teaching and Learning 2015 Provost's Teaching and Learning Symposium
  • Improving the Office Hour Experience for General Chemistry Students 2015 250th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society · Poster