bergerkara@gmail.
c
Kara Berger
Education
Secondary Education M.Ed.
Expected Spring 2021
Cumulative GPA: 4.0
Towson University, Towson, MD
Bachelor of Sciences, Environmental Science and Studies, December 2012
Concentration in Informal Environmental Education, minor in Biology
Towson University, Towson, MD
Professional Experience
Education and Outreach
Specialist
Towson University Center
for STEM Excellence
November 2017 - present
Volunteer Manager
Parks & People Foundation
September 2016 – November 2017
Volunteer Coordinator,
Youth Programs
Parks & People Foundation
December 2014 – September 2016
om
(240) 644-4161
 Engage students in inquiry-based science investigations through the SciTech
Learning Lab (over 3,100 students to date)
 Oversee the Maryland Loaner Lab program, sending out ready-to-use science
kits to classrooms (over 1,250 classrooms to date)
 Facilitate and development of teacher professional development (over 150
hours to date)
 Secured over $470,000 in grant funding in collaboration with team members
for a new initiative with Baltimore City Public Schools
 Recruited, trained, and managed over 220 individual and group volunteers
cumulatively serving over 7,800 hours valued at over $206,800 in kind since
September 2016
 Established policies and procedures for volunteer screening and oversight,
while utilizing best practices for staff working with volunteers
 Created and delivered interactive and dynamic trainings for volunteers across
a variety of programs
 Managed all aspects of volunteer and intern recruitment, management, and
tracking
 Developed effective system for collecting and reporting volunteer data
 Assisted environmental education programs through direct service and staff
professional development
 Recruited, engaged and managed over 200 volunteers serving over 14,500
hours for a variety of programs students including summer camp, after school
programs, and youth sports teams since 2014 valued at over $386,500 in kind
 Created volunteer engagement opportunities for summer and after school
programs and implemented best practices for using volunteers effectively
 Implemented a system for tracking, reporting, and acknowledging volunteer
service
 Developed interactive service learning program to improve environmental
stewardship and awareness amongst Baltimore City Public School students
 Secured over $40,000 in grant funding
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Environmental Education
Program Assistant
Parks & People Foundation
October 2013-November 2014
 Assisted in planning and implementing environmental education, community
greening programs, restoration projects, and grant writing
 Engaged over 500 students and planted over 700 trees during the 2013-14
school year
 Assisted with the delivery of teacher professional development program and
capacity building opportunities for using the outdoors as a learning tool

Editorial Assistant  Created content and edited digital curriculum in a range of subjects
Words & Numbers  Adapted existing curriculum to align with appropriate standards
March 2013- October 2013

Assistant Environmental  Taught interactive environmental education lessons to Baltimore City youth
Educator  Organized daily lessons of environmental education enrichment
Parks & People Foundation  Adapted curriculum to appropriate grade-level of students
January 2012- June 2012

Volunteer Work
Secretary  Attend monthly board meetings, keep meeting minutes
Maryland Association for  Assist with event planning including conferences, workshops, professional
Science Teachers (MAST) developments, and social gatherings
April 2019- present  Assist with communication to members
 Assist with teacher recognition and appreciation

Awards and Recognition

Twenty Tigers In Their Twenties
Towson University Alumni Association

Graduate Fellowship Award

Towson University Alumni Association

Conference Presentations
 Berger, K.E. (2020). Applying NGSS-Aligned Practices to Outdoor Learning Experiences. Presentation at the
Nature Nurtures Symposium, Baltimore, MD, March 7
 Berger, K.E. (2018). Planning and carrying out investigations: Scaffolding to support student learning.
Presentation at the National Science Teaching Association Regional Conference, National Harbor, MD,
November 15-17
 Berger, K.E. (2018). It’s a gassy world! A hands-on/ minds-on climate change lab activity for middle school
students. Presentation at the National Science Teaching Association Regional Conference, National Harbor,
MD, November 15-17

Skills
 Certified Facilitator in Project Learning Tree, Project Wet, Project Wild, and WOW! Wonders of Wetlands

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