Academic Adventures was born out of a passion for place based environmental and science education and an under utilized academic facility needing to be used more consistently for academic purposes. Ever since 1993 when Andrew J. Rice first set foot on the Walla Walla University Marine Station Campus, fondly kown as Rosario Beach, he has had a dream. A dream of providing dynamic science education program for students of all ages that would create sustainable usage of the campus for academic purposes while passing on a legacy of stewardship to those who attend.
Walla Walla University conducts an 8 week summer session where college students at Rosariotake a variety of terrestrial and marine field courses. Through the academic year the campus rests quietly awaiting students once again. Our desire is to provide exceptional inquiry based science educaiton that will inspire students to greater personal stewardship and create enthusiasm for careers in the sciences. This vision has become the focal point of Academic Adventures.
While the Marine Station Campus is our instructor’s preferred location of operation and we encourage our program participants to use this site we also utilize other local resources and locations for programming.
Executive Director
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.
Instructor Profiles