Bolles alumnus Dylan Schwartz ’24 returned to the Bolles Upper School San Jose Campus on August 26 to share insights from his college experience in the United Kingdom and reflect on how Bolles helped shape his path toward a career in mechanical engineering.

Bolles upper school science teacher Brad Bullington ’02 introduced Schwartz in McGehee Auditorium to kick off the presentation. Bullington worked closely with Schwartz during his time at Bolles, particularly on his award-winning science fair project, which ultimately earned him a partial scholarship to the University of Sheffield.

Schwartz’s project focused on polarized light microscopy and was inspired by his fascination with the “brilliantly colorful patterns” of natural compounds—patterns invisible to the naked eye without high-powered, medical-grade microscopes. His curiosity first sparked in a Bolles photography class, where he began exploring the visual beauty of microscopic structures.

Recognizing the limited accessibility of these expensive microscopes, Schwartz developed a 3D-printed adapter that allows users to pair a DSLR camera with a standard microscope to achieve imaging quality within 6 percent of medical-grade devices—at just 1/40th of the cost.

During his presentation, Schwartz walked students through the engineering process behind his invention and shared one of his practical college assignments. He noted that he continues to refine the adapter and credited Bolles’ resources and faculty for supporting his progress. Encouraging students to take advantage of similar opportunities, Schwartz urged Bulldogs to participate in the Bolles Science Expo and regional and state science fairs, emphasizing how such experiences can open doors to future careers.

The session concluded with a Q&A, where students asked thoughtful questions ranging from the role of AI in engineering to the most challenging course Schwartz has taken in college. Bolles Mentorship Program Coordinator Ellie Dalkin closed the event with final remarks.

Thank you to Dylan for returning to Bolles and inspiring fellow Bulldogs with his creativity, insight and encouragement! His journey is a powerful example of how curiosity and hard work can truly lead to limitless opportunities! #BollesInnovates #BulldogProud