Rials Christensen is a scientist, educator, and passionate science communicator who brings a deep commitment to hands-on, interdisciplinary education. As Director of Education & Science at the Western Flyer Foundation, she leads the organization’s education programs and helps guide its growing research initiatives, scientific partnerships, and expedition-based learning opportunities. She is especially passionate about creating experiences that connect students directly with the ocean, scientific inquiry, and the legacy of exploration embodied by the Western Flyer.
Rials earned her Ph.D. and M.S. in Earth Science from Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and holds a B.S. in Environmental Geoscience from the University of Utah. Her teaching experience spans shipboard expeditions, outdoor classrooms, museums, and college labs. Most recently, she worked as an educator at Birch Aquarium at Scripps, where she developed and delivered programs for learners of all ages—including underserved communities through the Seaport Program.
With a background in geology, paleobiology, and marine science, Rials sees science as a powerful tool for environmental stewardship. She believes education is most impactful when it’s inclusive, creative, and cross-disciplinary—and she’s excited to help bring the Western Flyer’s mission to life for the next generation of ocean stewards.