Outreach

Final Frontier

I was the original presenter for the first two years of the BBC Two series, "Final Frontier". This was a magazine program featuring the latest in space and astronomy. The role involved contributing to the research on topics for the programs, script writing, working in a virtual studio, news segments recorded as-live, on-location interviews and post production voice over.  I also trained the new presenter who took over from me.  I have also been a regular radio contributor, including a memorable stint doing the 1999 eclipse of the Sun for local radio.

Book author and magazine editor/contributor

I have written two children's books on astronomy and space, both published by Dorling Kindersley. I co-authored a popular book on the Search For ExtraTerrestrials with SETI Institute Senior Astronomer Seth Shostak. I wrote the night sky section for Astronomy Now for many years and have been a contributor to a number of astronomy and space publications.  Early in my career, I edited "Gnomon", a Journal for the Society for Astronomy Education.

Full Dome Show Producer/Director

I founded the team that became NSC Creative, functioning as Executive Producer for the original shows BIG, Sunshine, The Planets, and SETI.  I conceived and was the Executive Producer for the Google Lunar XPRIZE show, Back to the Moon For Good. I also created the concept and was the founding producer for the amazing fulldome production, Maya Skies, funded by the National Science Foundation. I am an advocate in using the immersive environment effectively and have conducted research on decision making in immersive environments with grant from AFOSR. Also through a NASA CAN grant, I brought together leaders to discuss effective ways to use immersion for learning. 

New Projects Development, SSIA Technologies

I provide strategic new project support at SSIA Technologies. We're an innovative, responsive, can-do team of planetarium and immersive experience professionals that prides themselves on embracing the unique needs of every institution we are humbled to support. We don't install anything we wouldn't want to operate ourselves. I work with primarily new concept theaters, helping them understand how to optimize their budgets.

Planetarium Show Presenter, Observatory Demonstrator

Sharing the night sky was my earliest passion. Over my career, I have been fortunate to have helped countless people take their first view of the craters on the Moon or the rings of Saturn through a telescope - be it my own 6 inch reflector, instruments at Leicester University, the Old Royal Observatory, Greenwich, or Chabot Space and Science Center. I have developed photographic plates, and counted galaxies, plotted variable stars and catalogued Stonyhurst sunspot drawings. I've taken data using CCD's and computers. I have been able to take Prof. Sir Stephen Hawking on a live tour of the digital universe, pioneer planetarium shows for the deaf in Greenwich, sit on the floor in the dark as a Starlab presenter, and even host laser shows under the dome!

Currently you can find me as a volunteer Planetarium show presenter at the Von Braun Astronomical Society Planetarium in Huntsville, AL as well as doing outreach in local schools on behalf of the society.

STEM Teaching

While I have not been a full time classroom teacher, at various times in my career I have taught informal science education classes at different institutions, science centers and planetariums, and have taught for a local science camp. 

Heavenly Bodies

I was the researcher, and educational materials pack author (and occasional film director for some segments) for the BBC1 Series, Heavenly Bodies - about the planets. Presented by former Dr Who, Peter Davison, the series involved six weeks location filming around the British Isles. Personal highlights include holding H4, the Harrison Chronometer that solved the question of Longitude and many hours spent standing in stone circles.