![Martin sitting and smiling](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x420_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/img_0579_-_martin_skacel.jpeg?itok=_gGsio_A×tamp=1694611967)
![Mountains over a serene alpine lake](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x236_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/bg/img_9075_-_martin_skacel.jpg?itok=ZEpj8lS0×tamp=1694612009)
Martin Skacel
![Martin sitting and smiling](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x420_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/img_0579_-_martin_skacel.jpeg?itok=_gGsio_A×tamp=1694611967)
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Martin's D-Plan
What's a D-Plan?-
FallHanover, NH
Favorite Class: BIOL 16: EcologyIn this course, we covered all the basics of ecology: how organisms interact with each other and with their ecosystems. My favorite parts of the class were the labs: they took place outside and we explored ecological concepts around campus!
WinterHanover, NH
Favorite Class: EARS 21: Transforming Energy SystemsThis course was on everything energy: how we use it, how we generate it, and how we can improve our current energy systems in light of climate change. We visited nearby energy systems, including Dartmouth's very own heating and energy facilities. This course was awesome!
![a picture of martin and his engineering team with an advanced trash can between them, their engineering project!](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/img_6166_0.jpg?itok=OWriNtWp×tamp=1716687076)
A Look Inside of ENGS 21: Intro to Engineering
As I've been exploring engineering at Dartmouth, one of my favorite classes so far has been ENGS 21: Introduction to Engineering. Read about it here!
![a picture of the sunset behind baker berry in front of wilder, home of the physics department](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/img_5369.jpg?itok=eMnqhkIh×tamp=1714599411)
A Look Inside of Physics 13 and 14: My Labs!
Here's some information on labs at Dartmouth and my experience with the physics labs I've had here so far!
![a picture of a crowd of people all holding candles--dartmouth's annual twighlight ceremony to welcome new students](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/img_2966.jpg?itok=46FcSR8W×tamp=1713836307)
Why You Should Choose Dartmouth
If you're an admitted student, Dartmouth chose you. Here's why you should choose Dartmouth, in my opinion.
![a dark view of the sky during the total solar eclipse near dartmouth, with a glowing ring of light in the sky and warm orange light on the horizon](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/img_3747.jpeg?itok=rQ4kafV7×tamp=1713067904)
From Pines to Totality: My Total Solar Eclipse Experience
Read here about my journey from Dartmouth to seeing the "totality" of the recent solar eclipse!
![a picture outside martin's dorm of the parking lot, mid fayerweather dorm hall, and dartmouth hall. About a foot of snow rests on the ground!](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/img_4350.jpg?itok=rBXABty2×tamp=1711823727)
The Beauty of a New England Winter
Growing up in New England and transitioning to living at Dartmouth, I'm all too familiar with the unpredictability (and beauty) of New England's weather. Let me tell you about it here!
![a view from the thayer school of engineering of the tuck school of business. the sun is setting and the sky is a soft pink, and student walk down below](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/img_4991.jpg?itok=OZ_G7b-c×tamp=1709511236)
My Classes this Winter (24W): Physics 13, Environmental Ethics, Energy Systems, and Writing 5 (Authenticity)
As my first winter term comes to an end, I wanted to provide some thoughts and reflections on my classes this term. Perhaps you'll find something you'd like to take someday!
![an over-head photo of the Dartmouth swim pool. A few swimmers are in the water, as one walks in the background](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/dartmouth_swim_pool.jpg?itok=y8zsczEt×tamp=1708313984)
Club Swim at Dartmouth!
I'm on the club swim team here at Dartmouth. Read further if you want to know more about what club sports at Dartmouth are like!
![a picture of several students huddled around Dartmouth's iconic smokestack, extending far into the sky](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/img_4772.jpg?itok=xSYCn6LD×tamp=1706991913)
Transforming Energy Systems (EARS 21) and Dartmouth's Energy Future
This term, I've been taking a class called "Transforming Energy Systems: Keeping the Lights on While Saving the Planet." It's an awesome class where we've been taking field trips and learning about Dartmouth's energy future. Read more about it here!
![Martin laying in the snow half covered by a pile of white, next to two of his friends in awe of the beauty of the falling snowflakes](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/1erhllmjsgalzzze4prioa.jpg.jpeg?itok=zxnccoRN×tamp=1704684564)
Powder Day at the Dartmouth Skiway!
Dartmouth College owns and operates its own skiway… the Dartmouth Skiway! Today, I visited for the first time. Read about what it's like to have slopes so close to campus!
![a picture of Dartmouth's Irving Institute at night](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/img_3666.jpg?itok=ZvDMC_XR×tamp=1699829322)
The Irving Institute's First-Year Fellows Program: Fall Term
This term, I joined the Dartmouth Irving Institute's First-Year Fellows program, a new initiative designed to help first-year students get involved with sustainable energy at Dartmouth. Read about it here!