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Daniel Voss

I want my students to love people and love learning, so that they find joy in their world—and the people in it—throughout their lives.”

Daniel’s Story

Teaching Discipline

Chemistry and Physics

Why Chemistry and Physics

“I like chemistry and physics because they give us the foundation to make connections between everything we see in the universe, from stars to crystal structures in metals to living organisms.”

Professional Experience

After being trained as a materials engineer, Dan taught chemistry and physics in multiple settings in Iowa. In recent years, he has served as a curriculum developer on the OpenSciEd project, with a focus on high school chemistry and middle school science with integrated computer science. He also facilitates professional learning for the Knowles Academy, OpenSciEd, and others. He has started a PhD in STEM Education at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, where he often teaches Physics by Inquiry, a course for preservice elementary teachers and other non-science majors.

Volunteer Experience

Dan is the social media coordinator for the Minnesota Science Teachers Association, volunteers with his church and local food bank, and with his chemistry teacher colleague, Sam Pinter, produces the Unpack Everything podcast as a resource for science teachers.

Hobbies

Dan enjoys reading non-fiction and science fiction, watching basketball, and exploring Minnesota’s state parks with his family.

Academic Background

  • University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (PhD in STEM Education, Expected 2027)
  • Northwestern University (Master of Science in Education: Secondary Teaching: Physics)
  • Iowa State University (Bachelor of Science in Materials Engineering)

Knowles Academy Courses Taught

Engaging Math and Science Students in Engineering Design

 

Courses

  • Online Workshop
    Virtual-Icon Engineering to Empower
    7:30PM – 9:00PM ET Free

    How can we integrate engineering into math and science classes to help students develop a more meaningful understanding of real-world issues? We’ll use a Four-Level Empowered Engineering framework to explore how engineering integration in science and math offers students a range of opportunities for learning, engagement in community issues, and agency for solving problems in their world. Teachers will identify entry points in their curriculum to integrate engineering and social justice.

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  • Online Course
    Virtual Icon Empowering Students & Communities with Engineering Design
    7:30PM – 9:30PM EST 25.00

    Investigating community issues in math and science classes can promote equitable teaching practices and culturally relevant learning. But do students walk away feeling overwhelmed by realities? Or empowered to work for solutions? Learn how the engineering design process can support students to deepen their understanding of challenges in their communities AND feel empowered to design and advocate for just solutions to those challenges. Participants will engage in rich engineering projects, unpack associated community issues and their implications, and explore how practices of science, math, and engineering can help learners develop and optimize solutions to these issues. The course highlights community empowerment through lines of the engineering design process: uncovering values, students as agents of change, and stakeholders and encouraging voices. Led by instructors who are experienced in integrating engineering into math and science classes, this course will support participants in identifying entry points in their own curriculum for integrating engineering and community issues.

    Tuesdays, February 24 – March 31, 2026 

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