ADVANCED INQUIRY PROGRAM

IMPACT ON STUDENTS

A man and woman wearing outdoor clothing and rubber boots stand together in a lush forest, smiling at the camera. The background includes trees, leaves on the ground, and a large rock marked with yellow numbers.

Margaret Hanzlick-Burton

Marine science interpreter Margaret Hanzlick-Burton shares how the AIP helped her become more confident is sharing her passion for the environment both in her work and in her community.

Read Margaret’s story

A man with glasses and sandals sits on a stone structure in a lush, overgrown forest, examining an object in his hands. Ruins of a building are visible among the dense greenery.

Nate Brown

An AIP graduate and conservation storyteller, Nate describes how this program contributed to an inspirational family journey to Chile and helped him to uncover connections to communities locally and globally.

Read Nate’s story

A person with glasses and blonde hair poses closely with a brown and white dog outdoors on a sunny day, with hills and open landscape in the background. Sunlight rays partially illuminate the scene.

Sandra Becka

An AIP graduate and wildlife biologist and herbalist, Sandra shares how her AIP journey empowered her to be a voice for positive wildlife-human relationships. Here, you can read about her culminating project – “Crossing the Continent for Coexistence” – through which she visited and documented wildlife-friendly farms across the country.

Read Sandra’s story

A woman with blonde hair in a bun, wearing a white t-shirt and gray pants, sits on a rocky ledge overlooking a lush green forest and misty mountains in the distance.

Kate Marcussen

An AIP graduate and a Woodland Park Zoo Education Program Presenter, Kate describes the impact that this program, including an inspirational Earth Expedition to Thailand, had on her life:

Read Kate’s story

A woman wearing glasses and a hat holds a cloth-wrapped animal as another person wearing blue gloves examines or treats the animal with a tool.

Carole Parks

An AIP graduate and an instructor with the Community Colleges of Spokane, Carole describes the tremendous impact this program, including a field course in Washington’s Columbia Plateau, has had on her personally and professionally. She also shares how an AIP course helped her find her passion and inspiration at Drumheller Springs, a local park in her community.

Read Carole’s story

Three people wearing hats and outdoor clothing walk through tall grass on a narrow trail in a lush, green forest. The dense trees and foliage create a vibrant jungle setting.

Julia Ward

An AIP graduate and formerly a fifth grade teacher at Whittier Elementary, Julia illustrates the impact that this program has had on her personal and professional life, including building her confidence at being an expert in science and inquiry-based learning. Julia is now a lead science teacher at Jane Addams Middle School in Seattle.

Read Julia’s story

A woman in a plaid shirt, hat, and gaiters smiles while planting a seedling outdoors. Two people stand in the background among trees on a sunny day.

Sabrina Hetland

An AIP graduate and a West Mercer Elementary kindergarten teacher, Sabrina illustrates the impact that this program has had on her teaching, her students, and her life. Especially impactful was her experience on a life-changing Borneo Earth Expedition:

Read Sabrina’s story