Dr. Karen Plaster

Karen B. Plaster

Professor of Practice
Elementary Mathematics & Integrating Engineering


Professional Service

Selected

State of Ohio, Computer Science State Standards and Model Curricula writing committee, 2018

FIRST LEGO League (FLL)

  • Director of the University of Akron’s FIRST LEGO League (FLL) District tournament held Jan. 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 & Dec. 2018, 2019
  • Hosted 40 FLL teams (made of 4th through 8th graders) and 40 Jr. FLL teams from NE Ohio and their families annually
  • Recruited and organized over 75 volunteers annually
  • Partnered with the College of Engineering, Rockwell automation and NE Ohio STEM alliance leaders
  • Attended Ohio FLL meetings and training
    • FIRST World Tournament Project Judge, 2018, 2019
    • Kirtland Regional FLL tournament, Tournament Director, 2015
    • Snowed-In Regional FLL tournament at the University of Akron, Tournament Director, 2016
    • Solon Regional FLL tournament, Project Judge, 2013; Field Manager, 2014; Tournament Director, 2015
    • Cleveland Regional tournament, Head Project Judge, 2015
    • Lorain Community College Regional FLL tournament, Field Manager, 2013, 2015
    • Hathaway Brown Regional FLL tournament, Core Values Judge, 2013; Project Judge, 2014
    • Hudson Regional FLL tournament, Field Manager, 2012, 2013
    • Seton Catholic Regional tournament, assisted in running tournament, 2014
    • State of Ohio Tournament, Project Judge, 2015, 2019, 2020; Field Manager, 2016 - 2018
    • Organized FLL Judges Training at University of Akron, 2013, 2014, 2015
    • Organized FLL Scrimmage at University of Akron, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
    • Organized FLL Programming workshop at the University of Akron for FLL teams, 2013

NEOHBOTS - Mission to grow FLL throughout Northeast Ohio

  • Co-Founder & Board Member 2014 - current
  • Outreach & Tournaments committee chair

Summit & Stark County

  • Code Hopper, organizer 2018 to present
  • Code Girl, Fall 2016, 2017, 2018
  • Girls Who Code, leader, Fall 2016 to 2019
  • Western Reserve Boys and Girls Club “Math Night,” Spring & Fall 2014, 2015, 2016
  • Judge, BEST Medicine Science Fair, 2016
  • Judge, Akron Public Schools Science Fair, 2014
  • PI Day activities at East Middle School, Spring 2013
  • Akron Public School STEM High School Professional Development Committee, Spring 2012
  • Judge, Stark County Math Tournament, 2009-2014
  • Mentored Choose Ohio First STEM students through annual project, Spring 2012