Redmond’s Heather Williams has earned a master of arts in teaching degree in the biological sciences from Miami University (Oxford, Ohio) with coursework through Project Dragonfly and Woodland Park Zoo.

Since being accepted to the Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP) master’s degree in 2013, Williams has explored conservation and education in Borneo, while also conducting projects that have made a difference in the Redmond area. Williams is a science teacher at Valley View Middle School in Snohomish.

The AIP, a groundbreaking graduate degree focused on inquiry-driven learning and social change, combines coursework at Woodland Park Zoo and seven other U.S. partner institutions with collaborative work in Dragonfly’s web-based learning communities.

Since 2004, Dragonfly and its international partner institutions have engaged more than 1,850 people in firsthand education and conservation research in communities and zoos throughout the country and at critical field sites in Africa, Australia, Asia and the Americas.

Project Dragonfly reaches millions of people each year through inquiry-driven learning media, public exhibits and graduate programs worldwide. Dragonfly is based in the department of biology at Miami University. Miami was established in 1809 and is listed as one of the eight original public ivies.

The AIP is accepting applications for the 2016 cohort until Feb. 28 at http://AIP.MiamiOH.edu.