Dan Collins

Staff Spotlight: Dan Collins

04/11/2023

Dan Collins was recently named the Associate Director of ESF in the High School. He started at ESF in the Environmental Biology department as a teaching assistant, eventually moving on to a graduate assistantship in ESF’s Open Academy, where he served as the interim associate director for a year and half before taking the position permanently. We spoke with Dan about his passion for connecting ESF with the community and helping youth get excited about STEM.

Q: What is ESF in the High School?
A:  ESF in the High School allows students to experience college-level course work while still in high school. Students can chat with their guidance counselors to find out if their school offers ESF courses. We also bring students from area middle and elementary schools to campus for customized hands-on STEM instruction meant to wet student’s appetites for science. On occasion, I even get the chance to go directly to the school bring our expertise to them.

Q: What schools offer this program and how can interested students (and educators) sign up?

We currently offer courses in over 40 schools across New York state, working with more than 70 high school teachers. While many of our schools are located in and around Syracuse, we have partnerships in Rochester, New York City, and the Hudson Valley, and are constantly adding to that list. If your school wants to offer ESF courses, have an interested teacher or administrator reach out to us (mhstefl@esf.edu), and let’s find out what courses would be a good fit!

Q: What do you want high schoolers to know about ESF in the High School?

Taking college courses in high school is a great way to boost your resume and practice college-level work. For our courses specifically, we work really hard to make sure that we have options that bring in ideas from all sorts of fields. Our flagship course, Global Environment, looks at environmental science, but with the added lens of sociology and economics. We have a course focusing on U.S. History that examines Environmental Health through the centuries. We even have writing and math courses that come with an environmental slant to them! If you have an interest in improving your world, ESF in the High School has something to offer you.

Q: What’s the best part of your day?
A: My favorite days are when I have a class or school group coming to campus. I know I’m going to be exhausted by the end of it, but I really love getting to teach people, and see that spark of understanding or connection. I can be on my feet, running around, and lecturing for hours, but if I get someone telling me they had fun and learned something, I go home with an amazing sense of pride and accomplishment.

Q: What is your favorite element and why?
A: Water. Chemically, it’s a really simple molecule, made of only two elements. The fact that not only is it essential for life as we know it, but also has so many unique chemical properties is truly fascinating. Plus, the cultural and symbolic meanings are also incredible to learn more about.