Our Story

As a high school chemistry teacher, Melissa noticed many of her students were coming to her class with the idea that chemistry was going to be terrible and boring. She also noticed that the science budget at most high schools could use some help and personally knew many teachers who were purchasing things out of their own pockets. She decided to start a chemistry summer camp for middle school students called “Chemistry is a Blast!” where she would have a challenging academic curriculum while also lighting every camper’s hands on fire, doing color-changing reactions to music, tie-dying t-shirts to learn about the chemistry of bonding, etc.! Melissa donated proceeds to local high school science departments and hoped these campers would now look forward to high school chemistry vs. dreading it. Years later, some of her campers ended up in her high school classroom and they were VERY excited! Each year, her chemistry camps grew more popular and both parents and campers were asking for MORE of this style of summer learning and engagement. She asked Jake Nonis, a rock star math teacher and theater director she enjoyed working with, to partner with her to start expanding summer camps with a new name: Wise Camps. Each year the camps have grown in popularity and the staff of talented and passionate teachers and volunteers have become a family. There are many stories of campers who eventually became Wise volunteers and are even now Wise teachers! There are also many stories of Wise campers who cite Wise as their inspiration to go into the field they are currently studying.

While Jake and Melissa each have young children of their own and have found themselves working harder than ever for Wise Camps to continue to provide a safe and fun learning experience during the pandemic, they are inspired by the difference this work makes in so many lives. It is the excited voices of the campers and the rave reviews from parents that keeps driving them to offer the best summer camp experience possible–the kind of experience they want for their own children!

About the Instructors/Curriculum Developers

Melissa Baker

Executive Director & Wise Instructor

Melissa Baker has taught high school science (chemistry, physics, biology, nanotechnology, and neuroscience!) for almost 20 years! She now runs the Teaching Academy Program at her high school where she works with students who are considering a career in education! She graduated at the top of her class from the University of Minnesota with a major in biochemistry and she also has a Master’s Degree in Science Education. Melissa has a passion for inspiring a love and appreciation for science in all of her students. She has been teaching summer science camps and courses for over a decade. One of her favorite things to do is design curriculum to both educate and excite campers! Melissa was recognized as “Teacher of the Year” at her high school in 2012 and was selected as the 2015 “Educator of the Year” by the SHINE program (Seattle’s Hub for Industry-Driven Nanotechnology Education). She is well-known for (safely) lighting all of her students’ hands on fire. ☺ She also has 7 year old twins, Ted & Brooke. Their first birthday party had a chemistry theme of course! (and yes, they both already have their own lab coats!!!)

Jake Nonis

Executive Director and Camp Director

Jake Nonis has taught math for 20 years. He graduated at the top of his class from the Honors College at Washington State University with a double major in General Science and Mathematics and a minor in theater; this rare combination of course work earned him the Stanford Award, given to the most well rounded graduate of the Honors College and is what has developed him into the educator that he is today. He is known for his use of technology and engaging teaching style that has earned him such compliments as “I still hate math, but I loved your class”. In 2010 he was awarded the “Teacher of the Year” for his great communication, success with advanced students and his ability to get students to understand math. He has devoted 8 years of his teaching career to coaching a very successful math club that consistently placed in the top 10 at regional and national competitions. He keeps busy with his 2 sons (Ethan enjoying 6th grade and Emerson learning in a dual language program in 1st grade!).

Laurelle Graves

Wise Camp Director

Laurelle Graves is a mixed media artist who has a passion for teaching kids. She is in her 10th year as a teacher and camp director at Wise Camps. She spends the school year serving as Art Docent Chair for the Issaquah PTSA Council where she helps guide and educate elementary schools in the district on arts integration and education. She also teaches adult classes and mentors adults on how to teach art to children. Laurelle has won 2 Golden Acorn awards and an Outstanding Advocate award for her work in the schools and advocating for the betterment of children’s lives. She is Camp Director for the Girl Scout Issaquah Youth Day Camp where she loves getting to plan a week of activities for girl scouts each summer. She also currently serves as Vice Chair of Influence the Choice, a non-profit focusing on substance use prevention and mental health services in youth. Laurelle grew up in this area, and is a graduate of Newport High School and the University of Washington.

Mandy Sin

Wise Instructor

“Mandy Sin is a kindergarten teacher in Bellevue, WA—and a proud graduate of Newport High School! She earned both her undergraduate degree in Education and her Master’s in Teaching from the University of Washington. Originally from Hong Kong, Mandy moved to the U.S. at age 9 without knowing any English. Her personal journey fuels her passion for making sure all students—especially immigrant students—feel seen, heard, and celebrated.

Mandy’s mission at camp is to create a joyful space where every child is encouraged to try something new, work hard, and most importantly—have fun! When she’s not in the classroom, Mandy teaches heels dance classes to adults in the Seattle area.”

Sandra Ayala

Wise Instructor

“Sandy Ayala Delbrueck has been teaching in the Bellevue School District for 10 years and currently teaches 3rd grade. She earned her bachelor’s degree Magna Cum Laude from Washington State University. Go Cougs!! And holds a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Western Governors University.
As a native Spanish speaker, Sandy is passionate about supporting multilingual learners and all learners to feel confident, excited, and proud of their learning. Sandy believes students learn best when they’re having fun, and she loves creating engaging learning experiences that spark curiosity and joy.
Outside of school, Sandy is usually found with a book in hand, (she reads 4-5 books a month) or outside hiking and camping exploring Washington with her Bernedoodle named Daisy. She’s excited to join camp this summer and can’t wait to help students dive into new STEAM adventures.”

Karla Nyquist

Wise Instructor

Karla Nyquist has taught high school science for 18 years, and she still loves the thrill of learning new things. After earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with a minor in Spanish, she earned her Master’s of Education in Life Science at the University of Minnesota. She taught Biology, Chemistry, and Physics in Minneapolis, MN for 7 years and has been teaching Biology and IB Sports Medicine in Seattle for the last 11 years. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys hiking, kayaking, cycling, and vegetable gardening. She is also a Beach Naturalist through the Seattle Aquarium and loves exploring the beach at low tides.

Karen Hohenstein

Wise Instructor

Karen Hohenstein is a Chemistry teacher at Delano High School in Minnesota. She earned a Chemistry degree from the University of Minnesota – Morris and a Masters Degree from Hamline University in St. Paul. In her 29 years at DHS, Karen has worked with students in grades 9-12 and has taught Physical Science 9, Honors Chemistry, and College in the Schools Chemistry I and II. Karen is a two time LEEA (Leadership in Educational Excellence Award) winner and was chosen as the 2024 Delano Teacher of the Year. Karen currently serves as the 7-12 Science Department Chairperson and coaches the Delano High School Science Olympiad team. One of Karen’s favorite aspects of teaching chemistry is the opportunity to perform engaging demonstrations and light things on fire (safely!). One of her goals is to make chemistry relatable and understandable for all students. Outside of the classroom, she spends time with her husband and two children, and she enjoys traveling, watching movies, reading, and playing piano.

Macy Nolan

Wise Instructor

Macy Nolan is a second grade teacher in Bellevue. She graduated from Eastern Washington University majoring in Early Childhood & Elementary Education with a minor in Special Education. In addition, she earned her masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Western Governors University. Macy has a passion for teaching and helping children learn and grow. She strives to inspire, encourage, and motivate her students, and believes that all students deserve a caring, compassionate teacher who is considerate of their diverse needs. Outside of teaching Macy has a love for traveling, sports, music, and is a major foodie! She’s excited to be teaching culinary and can’t wait to share some delicious recipes at camp this year!

Cathi Hervey

Wise Instructor

“Cathi Hervey is a dedicated 2nd-grade teacher with a passion for sparking curiosity and a love of learning in young minds. With several years of classroom experience, she brings creativity, energy, and hands-on learning to everything she does.

This summer, she is excited to combine her love for teaching with the wonders of science at camp! Whether it’s exploring the natural world, building simple experiments, or asking big questions, she encourages campers to think like scientists while having fun.
She is a married mom of 3 boys, and is the shortest in her family (I am 6′ tall). A UW grad with a masters in curriculum and instruction, who loves crafts of all kinds.

When she’s not teaching, you can find her crafting of all kinds, watching dramas, or experimenting with fun science projects at home.”

Sung Yoon

Wise Instructor

Sung Yoon has taught Kindergarten and first grade in Woodinville, Washington the last six years. Sung also taught preschool for five years before that! He majored in Early Childhood Education at Western Washington University and a Masters in Critical Educational Leadership at University of Washington. Sung loves teaching early childhood because he loves the curiosity and the critical thinking that they bring to the classroom. Sung sees the importance of fostering the inquiry process in STEAM subjects for his students and helping the students answer the curious questions and develop even more curiosities! In his own classroom, Sung has taught robotics, engineering, and science even in his own Kindergarten and first grade classrooms! Through WISECAMPS Sung is so excited to help the students become more excited with science, math, and the world as a whole. With his campers, Sung will teach different science subjects, engineering, math and art. He will cover challenging topics through play and exploration! Sung is excited to have lots of fun and joy with his campers.

Dylan Calinog

Wise Instructor

From Nevada to Hawaii and now Washington, Dylan was raised in Reno, where he grew up playing sports and games. After finishing high school he started at the University of Nevada-Reno thinking of going pre-med. University was tough at first so he transferred to a community college program to become an EMT. During that phase, he became eco-conscious and decided to go back to UNR to continue his biology degree, focusing on wildlife conservation. After graduating, he became an outdoor educator on Maui and Port Angeles doing whale watches and kayak trips. Once the pandemic hit, tourism slowed so he went through Western Governor’s University masters program to be a science teacher. Now he is at Newport High School loving his 3rd career change!

Hannah Dy

Wise Instructor

Hannah Dy is a pre-veterinary medicine student at the University of Washington with a passion for sharing her enthusiasm for learning (and animal fun facts) with her students. With years of teaching inside and outside the classroom, she is ecstatic to be a part of WISE Camps for her fourth year! Outside of teaching, she works as a veterinary assistant and kennel attendant at a local veterinary hospital. In her free time, she loves roller skating, playing video games, and asking to pet every dog she meets.

Ada Deng

Wise Instructor

A soon-to-be graduate of Newport High School’s Class of 2025, she dedicates much of her time to practicing and competing in martial arts, particularly taekwondo, and occasionally in wrestling. She also loves reading and learning languages. While being fluent in both Cantonese and English, she is also currently studying French 6, Spanish 4, and Arabic 2 at Newport. This fall, she will begin her studies in psychology at the University of Washington Bothell, with the goal of becoming a child psychiatrist. Along the way, she plans to continue expanding her language journey!

Heather Gemmell

Wise Instructor

Heather Gemmell is an incoming freshman at Texas Christian University this fall and plans to study psychology and child development on the pre-medical track. She recently graduated from Newport High School where she was a part of the Teaching Academy program for two years, developing a passion for working with kids and making a positive impact on her community. Through mentoring freshmen as a Link Crew leader, interning in 5th and 2nd grade elementary school classrooms, being co-president of an affinity club for mixed race students, and volunteering at WISE, Heather has gained extensive experience working with students from diverse backgrounds. She hopes to ignite the students’ love for science and help provide an unforgettable camp experience!

Ellie Pham

Wise Instructor

Ellie Pham is an incoming college freshman who graduated from Newport High School in the spring. She was born and raised in Washington and as a graduate of the Teaching Academy program and an aspiring educator, she feels passionate about ensuring all kids receive a fulfilling and engaging education. Ellie has gained extensive experience working with students as a Link Crew Leader, interning in a 3rd and 1st grade classroom, being a co-president of a club for mixed race students, and volunteering for years at WISE Camps. She is a huge lover of all things science and is excited to share her enthusiasm for the subject with students of all ages!

Sahaj Bhardwaj

Wise Instructor

Sahaj is a rising senior in high school in Bellevue, Washington. She has a passion for literature, biology, and economics! In her free time she enjoys reading, playing basketball, and baking.

Emily Bienfang

Wise Instructor

Emily is a rising junior at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, majoring in Economics and Marketing with minors in French and Entrepreneurial Leadership. She was first introduced to WISE camps as a camper and later began volunteering as a group leader in high school. Emily met Ms. Baker in my sophomore chemistry class at Newport High School and was inspired by her passion for chemistry and dedication to her students. Her goal has always been to create a safe and welcoming environment where campers can look back on and remember how awesome their experience was. The most rewarding part of this camp is leaving each day knowing She helped campers have fun, make new memories, and form new friendships! Outside of academics, Emily has a passion for travel—most recently spending a semester abroad in Florence, Italy—and she also enjoys playing pickleball with friends. Emily is super excited to participate in this year’s WISE camp!

Kate Cocorocchia

Wise Instructor

Kate Cocorocchia is an incoming freshman at Santa Clara University. She graduated from Newport High School and grew up in Bellevue, Washington. Kate was part of Link Crew at Newport, worked with WISE last year, and has volunteered with Boys and Girls Club, Kelsey Creek Farm, and Emerald Ballet Theater. She also has experience teaching ballet to kids. In her free time, Kate likes to cook, bake, and watch movies. Kate is so excited to be working with wonderful campers and teachers/volunteers at WISE again this year!

Maxwell Li

Wise Instructor & Marketing Director

Maxwell is a recent graduate from Newport High School and an incoming freshman at Northwestern University studying biology and economics. He has been involved with Wise Camps for four years and is thrilled to be returning for his second year teaching! At school, he served as the President of National Honor Society, DECA Vice President, and a Link Crew Commissioner, combining leadership with a passion for mentorship and community. Maxwell loves sharing his curiosity about science, especially biotechnology, with campers and finds joy in making learning exciting, accessible, and fun. Outside of school, he enjoys playing piano, hanging out with his four dogs (Snowy, Lori, Dora, and Pepsi), and chasing new adventures before college!

Kyle Chung

Wise Instructor

Kyle is a Chemical Engineering student at the University of Washington and is intrigued by anything STEM-related. He attended Wise Camps as a camper when he was in elementary school, which played a role in developing his love for science! This will be his second year running the Chemistry station at Wise Camps, and he looks forward to doing some fun experiments with campers this summer!

Jessica Ni

Wise Instructor & Marketing Director

Jessica Ni is a student at the University of Michigan (Go Blue!!) and is thrilled to be working with WISE for her fourth year. Going from group counselor, to teaching assistant, to working the front desk, and to finally being a teacher this year, she has made many new friends and memories over the years and is incredibly excited to make even more this summer! Jessica has also been involved in Model UN, Girls Who Code, and Link Crew, but her passion for teaching started when she joined a peer health education program her junior year of high school. Outside of school, she can be found playing soccer, skiing, and traveling around the world. Jessica truly loves the fun and energetic environment at WISE each year. She is so excited to meet all the wonderful campers and can’t wait to be a part of yet another amazing year of WISE!

Javier Guapilla-Diaz

Wise Instructor & Lunch Coordinator

I am currently a student at the University of Washington, pursuing a degree in Applied & Computational Mathematical Sciences. Having grown up in Issaquah, Washington, and attended Newport High School after my freshman year, I found my passion for science through my involvement with WISECAMPS. Initially I became involved with WISECAMPS when I realized “wait, I need volunteer hours?” However, after my first summer at WISECAMPS I became passionate about spreading their message: Science is fun! Throughout my time volunteering and employment at WISECAMPS, their message inspired me as well, and prompted my journey at the University of Washington. Outside of academics, I have a interest in languages, though I’m still working towards fluency. I enjoy connecting with people on a deeper level, something that I have found is only really possible through language. I’m excited to return to WISECAMPS for the 5th time and continue spreading the message that science is not only important but also incredibly fun and rewarding. I will give it my all to make it an amazing experience for everyone!

Eugene Li

Wise Instructor

Eugene Li is a graduating senior at Newport High School, and this is his going to be his second year teaching rocketry at Wise Camps. He has been part of the Newport Rocketry Club for 3 years, and with all the amazing experiences he’s had in it, he wants other kids to get excited about rocketry too! In addition, Eugene loves anything STEM related, and he’s also been in a robotics team for 4 years. In his free time, he likes listening to music (his favorite artists are Eminem and Lorde) and swimming.

Miko Lilley

Wise Instructor & Lunch Coordinator

Professor Lilley (aka Professor Lilley) was one a humble middle school student with no fun and engaging educational summer camps to enjoy. Then, Professor Lilley’s mom enrolled Professor Lilley in WISE Camps, and Professor Lilley’s life was changed. Professor Lilley had fun and did some things and then did it again the next year until finally, Professor Lilley was old enough to volunteer to help run the camp. Seven years later, Professor Lilley continues to work for WISE camps and is currently attending (well not currently, since it’s summer now and Professor Lilley is doing this instead) the University of Washington to become a teacher. Professor Lilley looks forward to helping a new generation of campers have fun and do some things just as Professor Lilley once did as a young camper.

Tyler Chung

Wise Instructor

Tyler is a student at Bellevue College working towards a bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity. Growing up in Bellevue, Tyler began attending Wise Camps as a camper starting in elementary school. Attending Wise Camps at a young age, Tyler gained a passion for Wise Camps as an organization, leading to working with them as a volunteer starting in 2019. Tyler has worked roles as a Teaching Assistant for the Math Station, Lunch Coordinator, and Aftercare Staff and is excited to continue providing lunch and aftercare services this year. (Modified for 2025).

Marie Andrews

Wise Instructor

Marie is a recent graduate of Newport High School and will be studying mathematics and education at Montana State University this fall. She also completed the Spanish Immersion Program and developed a love for teaching after spending multiple summers tutoring math in Spanish at Bellevue School District’s Summer School. Marie intends to pursue a career in STEM education and is passionate about inspiring kids and cultivating a love for learning math and science. She has always enjoyed working with children, and after studying neuroscience at Newport, she is ecstatic to guide students of all ages through the ins and outs of the human brain. This is Marie’s second year as a teacher for WISE Camps, and she is excited to create a welcoming and fulfilling environment for everyone! Outside of STEM, Marie enjoys cheerleading, music, exercising, all things outdoors, and spending time with her friends, family, and dog, Sophie.

Edie Tehan

Wise Instructor

This is Edie’s second year teaching rocketry at WISE camps. A member of Newport High school Rocketry, Edie has competed in the American Rocketry Challenge for three years and recently attended nationals. In her free time Edie enjoys physics, baking, and dance. Edie is excited to meet and work with your kids this summer!

Victoria Shao

Wise Instructor

Victoria Shao is a recent graduate of Newport High School who has lived her entire life in Bellevue, WA. This summer is her third year being a part of WISE Camps. During high school, she served as president of Biology Club and co-president of Science Bowl Club. Victoria first joined WISE as a teaching assistant because of her passion for STEM subjects like biology and environmental science! Although keeping the attention of energetic campers was a learning curve, she found that sharing her love for science has been an incredibly fulfilling experience. In her free time, Victoria enjoys playing tennis, biking, and discovering new music. She is co-teaching a class this summer, and is excited to help create an engaging and fun learning environment for campers!

Drea Martino

Wise Instructor

Drea is a rising junior year at Newport High School. She has been attending WISE camps since elementary school as a camper which has created so many fun memories and has deepened her love of STEM. Drea is excited to continue attending WISE camps in another capacity through volunteering and teaching. She looks forward to sharing her love and excitement for STEM with campers for yet another year!

Clarissa Zheng

Wise Instructor

Clarissa Zheng is an incoming freshman at Wellesley College planning to study biology and astrophysics, who grew up in Washington and graduated from Interlake High School. She has volunteered for WISE Camps for three years as both a teaching assistant and group leader, and is excited to return this summer to teach. In high school, she was heavily involved in biology-related clubs and Future Problem Solving, where she grew her love for science, leadership, and creative thinking. Outside of school, she enjoys crocheting, playing violin, reading, drawing and painting, and spending time in nature. She is looking forward to sharing her enthusiasm for environmental science and sustainability with all the campers!

Haruna Morishita

Wise Instructor

Haruna Morishita is a rising junior at Newport High School and is so excited to be volunteering for WISE! She is a part of American Cancer Society and a member of the Varsity Drill Team at Newport. Outside of school, she loves volunteering, hanging out with friends, and traveling. She can’t wait to make fun memories and to meet all the amazing campers!

Catie Zhang

Wise Instructor

Hello I’m Catie! I am a incoming junior at Newport High School and I will be one of the teachers for the Robotics class this summer!

Lina Marie Ohrbeck

Wise Instructor

A rising senior at Interlake High School, Lina has been involved with WISE Camps since her freshman year and is beyond excited to teach business and design this year for WISE! Involved in DECA and the chief marketer for a published author, she is thrilled to apply her experience to teach campers about business tactics, product design, and the market. Outside of her love for business, she also loves attending MUN conferences, playing tennis for her school, and being in marching band!

Noah Wajerski

Wise Instructor

Noah was born and raised in Bellevue, Washington. He enjoys making food and playing sports in his free time. Noah recently graduated from Newport High School and will be attending Washington State University in the fall where he will study Mechanical Engineering. This is Noah’s second year with WISE Camps and his first year as a teacher. Julia and him will be leading the culinary station where kids where learn how to make amazing and delicious food that they will be able to eat.

Lalitha Muralidhar

Wise Instructor

Hi! Lalitha is a rising senior at Roosevelt High School in Seattle! This is her second year volunteering at WISE, and she am a past camper of WISE camps! Lalitha is the financial director of my school robotics team, and is currently a volunteer at the Seattle Aquarium as a Youth Ocean Advocate! She is super excited to be volunteering as a Station Lead this year for WISE, and share her passion of Marine Biology with everyone! She looks forward to meeting everyone this year and having fun with camps!

Simone Cimprich

Wise Instructor

Simone has been involved with WISE Camps for more than five years, from being a volunteer to being a camper in elementary school. She is a recent high school graduate and will be heading to McGill University in the fall to study Kinesiology and Environmental Science. She has always had a passion for STEM, and from a young age WISE has helped her explore STEM topics outside of the traditional classroom, as well as meet amazing friends and mentors. Outside of the classroom, Simone has been involved in her school’s theatre, choir, and fine arts programs, as well as helped lead her school’s Multiracial Student Union. She is excited for what the upcoming summer holds!

Kimiko Oshima

Wise Instructor

Kimiko Oshima graduated from the University of Washington with her Master of Public Health in 2025. She has a passion for the sciences and for learning and cannot wait to spend another summer sharing her passions with students. She has taught chemistry and forensics with WISE Camps for seven years and loved every minute of it. This year she is starting a new position where she will be helping with morning circle activities and volunteer coordination. Kimi also has experience working with kids as a ski instructor, student choreographer, and Link Crew Leader. She is so excited to be a part of the fun, one of a kind experience at WISE camps!

Amelia Mathew

Wise Instructor

Amelia Mathew is a rising senior at Newport High school and is so excited to be volunteering at Wise Camps for her first year! She was born in Georgia but raised in Washington! She is part of her school’s teaching academy where she interns at a school’s 3rd grade classroom. At school, she is co-president of her school’s psychology club and president of the south Asian student association. Outside of school, she loves to dance, read, and listen to music!

Julia Wajerski

Wise Instructor

This is Julia’s second year with WISE, but her first year leading a station. She is passionate about being active, baking, being outdoors, and environmental science. She will be attending UW in the fall to study marine biology.

Zach Wang

Wise Instructor

“Zach Wang is a pre-med student at New York University studying biology and mathematics, graduating in 2028. In high school, he was involved in Jake Nonis’ theater program was in many musicals and plays! Zach has been in wise camps as both a camper and a volunteer and he is eternally grateful for how much he’s grown being on both sides. He believes that STEAM can be extremely difficult for many students, but having the passion for it changes everything. These campers will be the next generation of doctors, artists, engineers, etc., and he hopes to help Wise Camp foster the passion for learning in each camper. ❤️
He loves Wise Camps because not only was he given the opportunity to help individual kids find their passion in science, arts, engineering, etc., but Wise Camps has actually helped him find his passion of helping others, which is why he hopes to pursue surgery one day. So thanks big thanks to Wise Camps for having such an impact on even the volunteers!”

Jadyn Hung

Wise Instructor

Jadyn Hung is a graduating senior at Newport High School who loves all things biology and is very excited to share his passion for science with campers this year! This is his second year at WISE Camps and he is very glad to be back. As a child, he always enjoyed learning about the human body and plans continue his studies of biology at UW. Jadyn cannot wait to meet your camper(s) and share his knowledge of cells, tissues, and systems!

Brandon Purcell

Summer Camp Science Guide Extraordinaire!

Get ready for a summer of excitement and discovery with Mr. Purcell! By day, he’s a high school chemistry teacher at Sammamish High School, but during camp, he brings his passion for science, creativity, and fun to kids of all ages. Whether it’s launching rockets, making slime, or solving cool chemistry mysteries, Mr. Purcell knows how to make learning unforgettable. When he’s not in the lab or the classroom, you might find him exploring the outdoors, geeking out over science facts, or cracking the best (and corniest) science jokes around. This summer, he’s here to spark curiosity, encourage experiments, and make every camper feel like a real scientist!”

Rita Liu

Wise Instructor

This is Rita’s fifth year at Wise Camp. She has represented the US twice for international rocketry competitions, placing second in the International Rocket Competition and third in the World Space Modeling Competition. Rita is enthusiastic about encouraging the next generation to explore the galaxy and beyond. She’s majoring in Mechanical Engineering and physics at Barnard College in New York City, studying to become a future rocket scientist. Besides working on rockets, she loves to bake and go on hikes with her dog Oreo!

Al Ali

Wise Instructor

Ali is an engineering student at the University of Washington who loves everything about cars, mechanics, and structures. He enjoys working with people and helping them understand difficult topics. STEM aside, he thinks the gym is an awesome place and the science behind muscle building is super interesting. He looks forward to meeting and teaching the campers about physical fitness this summer!

Lucas Long

Wise Instructor

Lucas Long is a rising junior at Newport High School who is passionate about everything STEM! First being a camper at Wise Camps, then a volunteer, and now a teacher, he’s had tons of fun! Lucas loves working creatively and thinking outside the box, especially while editing videos or on his school’s robotics team! He’s volunteered for Wise Camps since 2023 and has lots of experience working with kids. Other than STEM, Lucas plays in the school marching band, enjoys listening to J-pop, and loves playing video games with his friends!

Isha Sehgal

Wise Instructor

Hi! My name is Isha, and I’m a rising junior at Redmond High School. I’m passionate about working with kids and have led several camps in the past. I also love coding, I’ve taken computer science courses for the past two years and have participated in multiple hackathons. I’m super excited to share my love for coding and have an amazing time creating with all the campers!

Bryant Ho

Wise Instructor

Val Li

Wise Instructor

“Hi, I’m Val!
Hope to have fun participating in WISE!”

Jean Li

Wise Instructor

Sean Liu

Wise Instructor

Cloud Miore

Wise Instructor

Aviran Neogy

Wise Instructor

Zach Spanier

Wise Instructor

Sophia Xu

Wise Instructor

Daniel Yamamoto

Wise Instructor

Nathan Yi

Wise Instructor

Jerry Zhang

Wise Instructor

Ryan Zhu

Wise Instructor

How We Got Started

A couple years ago, Melissa thought it would be fun to have the chance to teach chemistry to some younger kids over her summer break. She thought it’d be refreshing to work with a different age group, but that it would also give her the chance to try out some new demos and lab experiences on a forgiving audience. To her surprise, her camp was very popular without much marketing to help spread the word. Between word of mouth and more marketing the following summer, her camp completely sold out within a couple weeks of opening registration. Students were loving their experience and parents were loving how much their kids were learning! Due to popular demand, Melissa decided to offer more classes and asked Jake, a very popular and engaging math teacher, to join forces with her to create even more options for motivated students to expand their minds! As a result, WISE was born and they are both so excited to get to spend part of their summer teaching such amazing kids!