Tam Elizabeth O'Shaughnessy (born January 27, 1952) is an American children's science writer, associate professor emeritus of school psychology, and former professional tennis player.

O'Shaughnessy was coached by Dr. Robert Walter Johnson, a physician who played a key role in the tennis careers of Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe.

During the summer of 1966, O'Shaughnessy, who is not African American, competed in ATA tournaments in addition to U.S. Tennis Association junior events.

O'Shaughnessy's research on preventive interventions for children with reading difficulties was continuously funded by the U.S. Department of Education starting in graduate school.

She retired early to concentrate on Sally Ride Science, and was named associate professor emeritus at San Diego State University.

[13] They received the American Institute of Physics Children's Science Writing Award in 1995 for their second book, The Third Planet: Exploring the Earth From Space.

O'Shaughnessy is since executive director of the resulting nonprofit entity, Sally Ride Science at UC San Diego.