Shumway, Karen

Karen Shumway earned a Master’s Degree in Biochemistry from the University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. After graduation, she taught biology, chemistry, and scientific research and design (SRD) for two STEM magnet high schools in Montgomery County, Texas. She held Texas state teaching certifications in Life Science, General Science, and Gifted/Talented Education, and is an accredited Advanced Placement (AP) science instructor. Karen mentored more than 90 students for science fair projects at the STEM high schools, guiding several to major wins. She has coached several FIRST robotics teams in West Virginia and Virginia at the FIRST LEGO League Challenge, FIRST LEGO League Explore, and FIRST Technical Challenge levels. Karen led educational programs at NOVA Labs in Reston where she also served as the director of robotics and advisor to the CyberPatriot teams. She has homeschooled her three children since 2007 and taught courses in science, robotics, and Latin at homeschool co-ops in West Virginia and Virginia.