How long have you been streaming?
I started in January 2018 with RimWorld. I slowly grew a community and layered in educational segments. The original plan was free biology tutoring, and it evolved into something even better. I love sharing science and getting people excited to learn. My Discord DMs are open for general questions or a quick chat.
In October 2019 I took the stream outdoors so we could share nature and hobbies together. We metal detect, hike, identify birds, insects, and plants, kayak, watch rocket launches, and do some cycling. I enjoy the tech behind making outdoor IRL work. Streaming has been an amazing adventure. We became Twitch Partners in October 2020.
Why DrWD40?
WD are my initials and also a nod to Watson and Darwin. The 40 is “for science,” with the zero as an atom in my logo. I have no affiliation with WD-40 the product.
Why don’t you like financial support?
I teach full time, which is my main income, and streaming is a hobby. My schedule can be inconsistent because teaching comes first. Watching, following, and sharing the stream is more than enough support. If you want to help financially, consider supporting streamers who rely on streaming as their primary income. If you really want to support me, using my Amazon affiliate link is the least awkward since it is tied to purchases you were already planning.
What are your stream goals?
I want to reach as many people as possible with interactive educational content on Twitch. As a cofounder of The Knowledge Fellowship, I want to bring more viewers to edu communities and support those broadcasters. I also want to lower the barrier between instructors and students and show that most instructors are easy to talk to. Ask for academic advice in chat or by DM.
With the outdoor focus, it would be amazing if National Geographic or Discovery noticed the potential for interactive field education.
What sort of games do you play?
I play fewer games on stream now, but I like titles that keep chat interactive with room for science asides: RimWorld, Satisfactory, Minecraft, Eco, Surviving Mars, Jurassic World, ARK, Planet Coaster, Poly Bridge, Mashinky, and Cities: Skylines. Off stream I play Rocket League. I am not great at FPS games. If you see one, I was probably convinced by chat or doing it for laughs.
Where did you grow up?
In central Pennsylvania, in the middle of nowhere.
Why are you so bad at keeping a consistent schedule?
Teaching, family, and life come first, and outdoor streams depend on weather. Check Twitter or Discord for go-live announcements. Thanks for understanding.
What's your best metal detecting find?
I don't have a favorite find, but you can check out all the finds here. I like to say the best finds are the friends we make along the way.
How do you handle bird and wildlife ethics on stream?
Respect distance, no playback in sensitive areas, follow local rules, and put the animal first. Education is the goal.
Can you help identify a bird, insect, or plant from my photo?
Often yes. Post a clear photo in Discord with date and location. I can suggest an ID or point to resources. The Merlin Bird ID app and even Seek are great resources too!
Photography settings you use most often?
Shutter priority for birds in flight, aperture priority for portraits, auto ISO with caps, and back-button focus. I've bee getting better at shooting in manual mode though.
Can I use your photos in class or for a project?
Yes for classroom use with credit to DrWD40. For commercial use, contact me. Some images are also on stock sites.
Do you "sell" prints or license images?
Yes. Message me with the filename or subject and size. Honestly, no charge. Just reach out to me and I'll send the file.
How can educators collaborate with you?
Guest lectures, Q&A sessions, or field ID streams. Email me with your idea, date range, and goals.
What is The Knowledge Fellowship?
An educator community I co-founded to highlight learning content on Twitch and beyond. Ask me how to get involved.
