About
Dan Wyrick, Director of Nature By Design, has spent more than 40 years dedicating his expertise to the elementary and secondary science classroom. Dan started his science teaching career in 1974 and until 1992 was in the 6-8 grade classroom. Beginning in 1992, he switched his role and for the next seven years served as co-editor of the 5-8 grade science textbook series published by the Pacific Press. Dan continues to serve in an advisory role for textbook revisions. Nature By Design was developed and launched by Dan full time in 1999. Initially, the program focused on week-long outdoor education programs but as demand grew, so did the variety of programs offered. Since then, he has personally worked with thousands of students in various locations in California, Nevada, Washington, and Hawaii.
Dan Wyrick holds a Master’s degree in Science Education (1984) and a BA in Biology (1977) from Pacific Union College. He holds two California State Teaching Credentials. Dan has spent many years developing science curriculum and has an incredibly diverse set of program modules. In addition, his intimate knowledge of both national and state education standards is worked into the programs and classes that he teaches. His curricula correlates with California’s Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
Dan Wyrick is a natural leader of people. He gives instruction clearly and in a way that motivates student, and all participants join in eagerly in the programs he has developed. Everyone who has ever been in a Nature By Design program has left enriched, educated, and motivated to gain an even broader understanding of outdoor science. The aim of “No child left indoors” is clearly met. As young adults participate and complete the programs, their self-esteem grows and they gain a clearer understanding of our role in nature.
Dan is a native Californian raised in the rural Sierra Nevada foothills of Northern California where he developed his love for nature. His passion for fishing and the exploring natural areas gave him an incredible education of the natural history. This curiosity only ever continued to grow as he expanded his experiences throughout his youth and young adulthood to included many places within California and the West rife with flora, fauna and geologic curiosities to explore. From the Pacific Coast, to the Sierra Nevada Mountains, to the Great Basin, each ecosystem and region held a new fascination for him and he took every opportunity to not only become familiar with the natural history, but to share it with his family, friends and -eventually- his students.
A day spent with Nature By Design Director Dan Wyrick is not only like being with a walking encyclopedia of science, it is a great adventure as his love of the outdoors permeates his teaching methods and modules.
Join Dan on one of the many outdoor and expeditionary learning programs and allow yourself, teachers, parents, and students to enjoy the wonders of the natural world with this engaging and knowledgeable science teacher.