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

During his undergraduate studies, Dan worked as a research assistant at the Department of Energy’s Ames Laboratory. In this role, he helped conduct rare earth metals research. He also tutored his peers in physics and chemistry, and spent two summers interning with the Donaldson Company, where he evaluated engine air filter media and conducted scrap reduction experiments. As a teaching assistant at the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics, Dan co-taught and assisted in the design of the course, “Leading with Purpose.” Following graduation, he experimented with education as a profession as a middle and high school substitute teacher. Additionally, he taught a robotics exploratory at local middle school. Most recently, Dan has been doing curriculum development and video analysis as a research assistant at the Northwestern School of Education and Social Policy.

Volunteer Experience

Dan has been actively involved with Engineers Without Borders–USA (EWB-USA) for several years. While at Iowa State, he served as president of the chapter and traveled to Belize on a fruit dryer monitoring trip. Dan also worked with the Northwestern University chapter and is the past president for the EWB–USA Midwest Steering Committee.

Hobbies

Dan enjoys reading non-fiction and science fiction, watching basketball, working with Engineers Without Borders. He is passionate about improv, and is interested in the work that’s being done to help people use improv to talk about technical topics more naturally and comfortably.

Academic Background

  • 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