Alyssa Bjorkquist

Department Head

Alyssa is currently finishing her graduate thesis at California State University, Long Beach for her M.S. in Science Education. Her expertise is centered around science learning in social and untraditional spaces, such as museums, zoos, aquariums, and summer camps.

Education

Alyssa earned her B.S. in Marine Biology and Psychology from the University of Oregon. (Go Ducks!) For her honors undergraduate thesis, she studied the connection between body form and environmental conditions of Pisaster ochraceus, a keystone species that shapes tide pool communities.

Experience

Alyss is a Southern CA native and grew up just outside of Los Angeles. She viewed local informal science institutions such as Girl Scouts, aquariums, and zoos as invaluable resources for learning about STEAM content, practice, and service to others. Volunteering at the local aquarium for a Girl Scout project in particular shaped her understanding of what it means to explore, study, and develop an identity grounded in science and leadership. Alyssa's post-graduation education and research expertise have been diverse both in responsibilities and geography:
She has spent time studying mangrove forests in Panama, snorkeling, hiking, kayaking, stargazing, and more at the Catalina Island Marine Institute (CIMI), and researching the physiology of endangered ice seals at the Alaska SeaLife Center. Alyssa has also focused on helping Angeleno communities connect to ecosystems and conservation as an educator at the LA Zoo, and leading community outreach and teaching public programs at the Aquarium of the Pacific.
Alyssa was instrumental in creating a virtual education nonprofit with colleagues to serve students looking to learn more about marine biology, called Ocean Youth Academy.
Alyssa started her tenure with Fusion at the West LA campus in the summer of 2020 as a Science and Math Teacher, and is thrilled to be settled back in the Pacific Northwest as the STEAM Department Head with the Fusion Seattle campus.

Fun Facts and Hobbies

  • Alyssa loves baking! Any time she has a chance to play around with dough and experiment with new techniques in the kitchen, it’s a good day.
  • Alyssa is into SCUBA Diving and stand-up paddleboarding, as she finds the balance of peace and adventure with each activity is deeply satisfying.
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