ADAM C.

RENICK

Master of Education in Teaching Earth Sciences

Health Sciences High School and Middle College
3910 University Ave., San Diego CA 92105
ARenick@hshmc.org
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Geosciences instructor with extensive teaching experience in San Diego urban public education. Highly
credentialed professional career with Geoscience Masters degree, Leading Edge Certified Online &
Blended Teacher and state credentials in both secondary and primary education. Broad scientific expertise
in the fields of both physical and human geography. Five years of teaching experience at a top San Diego
urban high school with continuous growth in year-after-year student achievement in advanced Earth and
Planetary Science classes. Proud to provide unconditional support to develop students potential using a
uniquely rich combination of instructional strategies, motivational techniques and focus on personal
growth to inspire a shared commitment to the learning process.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Earth and Planetary Science Teacher Health Sciences High and Middle College
Public Charter School, San Diego, CA. Fall 2009-Present

Curriculum and instruction is developed with a focus on research driven models of student
achievement including the Inquiry Model and the Gradual Release of Responsibility model.
The delivery of student-centered course content is provided through a multi-modal approach of
direct instruction, lab activities and field work observations. Students receive a range of
technological, written, visual and verbal opportunities to develop understanding of course material
and connects with the strengths of all students.
Initiated and continues to lead a Geography Field Study immersion program through which
students regularly gain field experiences throughout their San Diego community.
Creates a climate of rigor, respect, and high expectations. Nurtures a welcoming classroom
environment and students clearly understand how to complete the learning required such that they
can succeed in meeting course objectives.
Develops and implements instructional strategies under a collaborative framework with faculty
within the HSHMC science department so that expectations and goals for students are consistent
and cohesive from year to year.

Teacher At Sea Fellow - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - Kona Integrated
Ecological Assessment, Honolulu, Hawaii. Summer 2013
Developed spatial analysis skills related to understanding the of marine mammal management
through understanding the interactions of physical oceanography, coastal geology, meteorology and
biogeography.

Implemented oversees classroom instruction through publication of real-time data online to

students back in San Diego. Acted as interpreter and liaison for NOAAs research to become
relevant to the San Diego student community.
Wilderness Technician - Alaska Service Corps and Nevada Conservation Corps

Supported the National Parks Service, US Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management in
creating, monitoring and educating the public on public land management projects

Adam C. Renick

ARenick@hshmc.org

EDUCATION
Master of Education in Teaching Earth Sciences
Pennsylvania State University, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, January 2013
Thesis: Teaching the Natural History of San Diego through Virtual Learning Modules
Bachelor of Science Degree - Environmental Studies and Urban Practice and Policy majors
with a focus on Society and the Environment
University of Richmond, VA 2005. Cum Laude Recognition 3.41 GPA
Thesis: Using GIS to Quantify the Impact of Urban Parks in Richmond, VA
Leading Edge Online and Blended Teacher Certification,
San Diego County Office of Education, Certification June 2013
Single Subject Teaching Credential, Geosciences, CLAD, NCLB Compliant
San Diego State University, Accelerated Block Expires June 2015
Clear Multiple Subject Credential, CLAD, NCLB Compliant
San Diego State University, Accelerated Block Expires June 2015

Professional Development and Affiliations

International Institute for Restorative Practices Conference,

New Orleans, LA October 2013
Presenter at District Curriculum Improvement Session, Better Learning Through
Structured Teaching Ames, Iowa - Fall 2011
National Science Teachers Association 2011-2014
California Science Teachers Association 2010-2014
Student Teacher, The Monarch School, San Diego County Juvenile Court & Community
Schools, 3rd/4th/5th Grade Combination Class, May July 2008
Student Teacher, Sunset View Elementary School, San Diego Unified School District 1st
Grade, January March 2008.
Greater San Diego Reading Association, 2008
Greater San Diego Math Council Annual Conference, 2008.
Honored as the 2008 Greater San Diego Reading Associations, Judith Parson Award
recipient for exceptional student teaching in the Language Arts

EDUCATION
Ph.D., Marine Ecology. San Diego State University (SDSU) and the University of California Davis
(UCD). September 2008 - May 2014 (anticipated).
B.Sc., Biology. McGill University, Montral, QC. 2006.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2013

Lecturer, San Diego State University, Department of Biology. Life in the Sea.
Co-developed science(remove) curriculum, course structure, and lecture materials.

2013

Guest Scientist and Speaker, Health Sciences High and Middle College (City
Heights, CA); Villa Park High School (Villa Park, CA); Wilson Middle School (City

Adam C. Renick

ARenick@hshmc.org

Heights, CA). Worked with classroom teachers and Created science activities to
engage and inspire students.
2012-2013 Guest Scientist, Ocean Discovery Institute. Watershed Avengers program,
Tidepooling with a scientist, Snorkeling with a scientist.
2011-2012 Instructor, San Diego State University, Department of Biology. Experimental
Ecology Field Class. Developed curriculum and organized instructional field
experiments.
2011-2012 MEBSA Co-founder and Co-chair, Marine Ecology and Biology Student
Association at SDSU. Developed educational outreach capabilities and activities for:
San Diego Science Alliance High Tech Fair (February 2012, 2013), SDSU Coastal and
Marine Institute Laboratory Open House (May 2012, March 2013).
2010-2011 Guest Scientist, Girls in Ocean Science Teen Conference, Dana Point, CA.
Developed interactive and educational activities in marine science.
2008-2010 Teaching Associate, San Diego State University, Department of Biology.
Biology Laboratory for non-majors. Wrote lectures, organized experiments.
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
2008-2013 PhD Candidate, San Diego State University & University of California Davis. Joint
Doctoral Program in Ecology, Department of Biology.
Behavioral and ecological consequences of pollutants for estuarine fishes.
Advisors: Dr. Todd Anderson (SDSU) & Dr. Steven Morgan (UCD).
2011-2013 Research Diver, San Diego State University Research Foundation.
Navy Base Point Loma sub-tidal scuba surveys; Investigation of the impacts of sea
level rise on eelgrass and fish communities.
2005

Field Research Assistant, McGill University, Department of Biology.

Mongoose (Herpestes javanicus) behavioral ecology and predation on Hawksbill
sea turtle hatchlings (Eretmochelys imbricata) in Bath, Barbados.

2004

Research Assistant, McGill University, Department of Biology.

Spatio-temporal dynamics of Mytilus edilus in the St-Lawrence.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2010-2012 Coordinator, San Diego State University Research Foundation.
Marine Abstract Project Database, Naval Facilities Engineering Command.
2006-2008 Ecotoxicology Analyst, Cantest Ltd (Maxxam Analytics Inc.), Vancouver, BC.
2004-2006 Environmental Liaison, McGill University, Department of Environmental Health
and Safety. Montral, QC.
2003

Environmental Technician, Severn Sound Remedial Action Plan, Midland, ON.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Adam C. Renick

ARenick@hshmc.org

2013

Anchor QEA Student Scholarship

2012

Mia Tegner Award for best student paper in applied conservation

Western Society of Naturalists 93rd Annual Meeting

2012

Best Poster Presentation

California Estuarine Research Society 8th Annual Meeting

2012

Student Leader of the Year Award

San Diego Science Alliance Partnership Awards

2010

Student Award for Marine Research

California State University Council on Ocean Affairs, Science & Technology

2010-2013 SDSU Graduate Student Travel Fund

2008-2012 SDSU Award for Instructionally Related Activities
SERVICE & VOLUNTEERING
2013

Community Liaison & Marine Science Seminar Series Coordinator

SDSU Marine Ecology and Biology Student Association (MEBSA)

2012

Invited Exhibitor, STEM Student Showcase, CLSNet STEM Summit

2012

Website designer, SDSU Coastal and Marine Institute Laboratory

(www.sci.sdsu.edu/cmi/); Marine Ecology and Biology Student Association
(www.rohan.sdsu.edu/~mebsa)

2012

Manuscript reviewer, Ecotoxicology

2010-2013 Undergraduate and high school student research mentor

Undergraduate students mentored: 13, High School students mentored: 3
Mentor to 2nd place San Diego High School Science Fair 2012 project
PUBLICATIONS
Renick, V.C., T.W. Anderson, S.G. Morgan, and G.N. Cherr. Acute sublethal pesticide exposure and
habitat structure influence behavior and predation risk of a marine larval fish. In prep.
Renick, V.C., D.E. Vidal-Dorsch, and L. Wiborg. Linking physiological and behavioral responses to
pesticide exposure of an estuarine fish, Fundulus parvipinnis. In prep.
Renick, V.C., T.W. Anderson, D.E. Vidal-Dorsch, and K.L. Weinersmith. Physiological and
behavioral effects of parasitism and pesticide exposure in an estuarine fish, Fundulus parvipinnis.
In prep.
CONTRIBUTED PAPERS
Compton, V.M. and D.E. Vidal-Dorsch. Linking physiological and behavioral responses to
pesticide exposure of an estuarine fish, Fundulus parvipinnis. Western Society of Naturalists
94th Annual Meeting, November 7-10, 2013. Talk.

Adam C. Renick

ARenick@hshmc.org

Hentschel, B.T., Anderson, T.W., Hayman, N.T., Renick, V.C., Allyn, J.M., and Hens, J.K.
Hydrodynamic mediation of killifish predation on infaunal polychaetes. Western Society of
Naturalists 94th Annual Meeting, November 7-10, 2013. Talk.
Compton, V.M. and D.E. Vidal-Dorsch. Behavioral consequences of sublethal chlorpyrifos
exposure for a common estuarine fish species in Southern California, Fundulus parvipinnis.
Proceedings of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 33rd Annual
National Meeting, November 11-15, 2012. Poster.
Compton, V.M. Behavioral consequences of sublethal pesticide exposure for a common
estuarine fish species, Fundulus parvipinnis. Western Society of Naturalists 93rd Annual
Meeting, November 8-11, 2012. Talk (1st place).
Compton, V.M. and D.E. Vidal-Dorsch. Understanding the behavioral and ecological
consequences of sublethal pesticide exposure for a common estuarine fish species, Fundulus
parvipinnis. California Estuarine Research Society, September 27-28, 2012. Poster (1st
place).
Compton, V.M. and H. Kramp. Exploring fish personalities: Consistent individual behaviors in a
common estuarine fish, Fundulus parvipinnis. Western Society of Naturalists 92nd Annual
Meeting, November 10-13, 2011. Poster.
Compton, V.M., T.W. Anderson, S.G. Morgan, and G.N. Cherr. Understanding the role of habitat in
mediating predation risk of larval fish exposed to a pyrethroid insecticide. Western Society
of Naturalists 91st Annual Meeting, November 11-14, 2010. Talk.
Compton, V.M., T.W. Anderson, S.G. Morgan, and G.N. Cherr. Understanding the role of habitat in
mediating predation risk of larval fish exposed to the pyrethroid insecticide esfenvalerate.
Proceedings of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 31st Annual
National Meeting, November 7-11, 2010. Invited talk.
Compton, V.M., K. Turgeon, and F. Guichard. Modeling effects of coral reef community dynamics
on Diadema antillarum disease spread and recovery. Western Society of Naturalists 89th
Annual Meeting, November 6-9, 2008. Poster.
PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY MEMBERSHIPS
American Academy of Underwater Sciences (2008 current); Western Society of Naturalists
(2008 current); Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation (2009 current); Society for
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (2010 current); Southern California SETAC (2010
current); American Fisheries Society (2011 current); Association of Women in Science (2012
current).
SKILLS
-

Experience developing contextualized and relevant K-12 to college-level science curricula to

increase student success and involvement in scientific discovery
Confident public speaker and effective social media communicator
Proficient with Microsoft Office, SYSTAT, Matlab, R, and PRIMER software
AAUS Scientific and Nitrox Diver, PADI Advanced Open Water and Rescue Diver

Adam C. Renick

ARenick@hshmc.org

Trained in ecotoxicology Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and U.S. EPA and Environment
Canada regulatory toxicity tests

ACTIVITIES
-

Long distance bicycle touring, backpacking, hiking, and rock climbing

Guitar and piano (Royal Conservatory of Music Grade 10 certification)
Recreational SCUBA diving

REFERENCES (Please contact for more references)

Dr. Todd Anderson, tanderson@mail.sdsu.edu
Professor and Director, Coastal and Marine Institute and Department of Biology
San Diego State University
Dr. Steven Morgan, sgmorgan@ucdavis.edu
Professor, Department of Environmental Science & Policy
University of California Davis
Dr. Doris Vidal-Dorsch, dorisv@sccwrp.org
Ecotoxicologist, Southern California Coastal Water Research Project