Gallagher, Dan

profileimage

Dan Gallagher is the founder and principal instructor for Robot Works, LLC, a small, veteran-owned business specializing in hands-on science and engineering classes. Dan emphasizes teaching the design, building, and programming of robots using the engineering design process for K-12 students. He believes that robotics integrates all STEM subjects while fostering creativity, problem-solving, critical thinking skills, and teamwork with the benefits of tangible, hands-on projects. Dan began teaching robotics as a series of informal summer camps in 2004, but his program grew in popularity and size until finally opening a permanent robotics lab in Burke in December 2015. There, Dan offers camps, workshops, and after school classes using a variety of robotics platforms, a rich selection of components, and state-of-the-art electronics and computer systems. Dan’s prior career spans over 40 years of providing analytic, engineering, and operational support to the US military and federal government agencies.

  • “My daughter has been a student of Dan for a few years now. She adores his classes. She feels empowered by him and supported. She likes that he lets the students take the lead in deciding how to construct/program their robots, and he’s there to provide support when she asks for it. She likes that his classes allow for her own creativity while still giving a little bit of structure.” -R.L. (Reston, VA)
  • “My son says he really enjoyed the Build a Drone class and interacting with Mr. Dan. My son was having a good time working with the others in the class and with Mr. Dan.” -L.I. (Arlington, VA)
  • “Both my children have taken Mr. Gallagher’s classes for the past two years and are sad that they have now completed his class cycle. They have learned a lot and appreciated his no-nonsense style, down-to-business style.” -A.K. (McLean, VA)
  • “My son really liked Mr. Dan as an instructor and he thought Mr. Dan was a funny and a good teacher.” -M.D. (Vienna, VA)