Science Ambassador
I have contributed to a number of science promotion and outreach programs aimed at promoting Solar Physics, students with an interest in following science career paths and children with an interest in the Sun.
The Homework Club
During my time as a graduate student in Dublin, I worked part time at The Homework Club. This after-school program is designed for children with learning and behavioral difficulties. The purpose of the school is to assist students aged between 12 - 18 improve their exam grades through the use of effective communication alternative learning techniques, in particular the use of dynamic learning (props, examples etc.) and multiple approaches to problem solving (kinesthetic, auditory, visual). As part of this endevour, I contributed to the “The Homework Club Workbook” availed for purchase on Amazon. This short handbook-style book provids learning advice for students on specific subjects. I personally contributed “The Trigonometry Flow Chart”.
Mediator at the Science Gallery, Dublin
While simultaneously completing my PhD and working at the Homework Club, I also worked as a mediator at the Science Gallery in Dublin. This facility merges the art and science worlds and houses short term exhibitions on subjects such as light, drugs and bubbles. As a mediator, it was my responsibility to demonstrate exhibits to the public and explain the complex science behind individual experiments in a simple, entertaining manner to capture the interest of the public, especially children.
Dunsink Observatory Open Nights
I have been involved in the organisation of the Dunsink Observatory Open nights. This historic site, located just outside of Dublin was once home to William Rowan Hamilton and for many years, the center of time-keeping in Ireland. Although the Observatory is no longer used for research, twice monthly, members of the public are welcomed onto the grounds to use the telescope and listen to public talks on all aspects of astronomy. I performed the duties of sourcing appropriate public speakers (including myself) and overseeing the use of the 12" refracting telescope.
School liaison for space physics.
As part of the International Heliophysical Year (2007) I participated (and helped to organize) the visits of solar physicists to schools around Ireland, speaking to students ages 6-18 to introduce them to basic space science and physics concepts. In conjunction with this, I supervised the installation of a Sudden Ionospheric Disturbance Monitor in Mercy Mounthawk school, Tralee.