: : : Academic Adventures - Instructors : : :

Students tide pooling in the San Juan Islands. Seastars: Pisaster Ocracheus, the Purple Seastar. 2 Students: Students collaborating at the tide pools . Forest Path: Old Growth Forest. Boy with Seastar: Student holding a Seastar. Rosario Beach

“You have a wonderful way of exciting others about marine biology and land and sea formations. Our group was riveted to your every word. Thank you!”

Cheryl Willis, Skagit County
Parks and Recreation

Andrew J. Rice holds an M.S. degree in biology from Walla Walla University . He has taught science at the elementary, secondary, and collegiate levels; worked as a marine biologist and naturalist; and is a competent and enthusiastic instructor.

During the completion of his undergraduate and Masters degree programs at Walla Walla University , Andrew spent 4 summers studying and teaching at Rosario and has lived in Anacortes and La Conner since 2000. His intimate knowledge of the regions diverse marine and terrestrial life greatly enhances a groups experience with Academic Adventures.

Dennis Stickler - Instructor Summer '09

Just back from Mt. Biking Galbraith Mt.

Dennis Stickler is graduating this June from Western Washington University with a BS in Marine Biology and minors in Environmental Science and Environmental Education. Since discovering his love for education in 2008, Dennis has taught in a variety of settings. He has led preschool field trips to the Marine Life Center in Bellingham and developed and taught tidal zonation lessons for Anacortes 4th graders.
He spent his last summer as a kayak guide in Juneau, Alaska where he led cruise ship tourists on a wildlife and scenery based adventure at the base of the Mendenhall Glacier. Dennis also has a strong passion for riding, building, and working on bicycles.

Kelli Jacobs - Instructor Summer '09

Hanging out at the Beach.

Kelli Jacobs was raised on Fidalgo Island. She is currently a sophomore at Southwestern Adventist University, in Keene, TX. Kelli plans on pursuing a Bachelors degree in nursing and ultimately plans a career in search and rescue.

Kelli has a strong desire to help others, a trait which was more thoroughly developed during several mission trips. She has helped build a school in Mexico, provided relief to victims of Hurricane Katrina in Mississippi, and assisted with a building project and conducted a Vacation Bible School near the Thailand/Burma border. Kelli enjoys various sports such as basketball, volleyball, wakeboarding, rock climbing, and snowboarding.