Congratulations
to Armagh Planetarium's Director Dr Tom Mason
who was awarded the MBE in the Queen's New
Year Honours List for 'Services to Astronomy
Education'.
DR TOM MASON'S
ROLE AT ARMAGH
Dr Mason has
been the Director of Armagh Planetarium since
1996. During this time he has been responsible
for developing the Planetarium's educational
programme and overseeing the current renovation
project that will make Armagh Planetarium
one of the most advanced establishments of
its type in the world.
(LEFT)
PLANETARIUM DIRECTOR DR TOM MASON MBE
Click
on image for a larger view.
One of his greatest achievements
at Armagh has been to reignite the Planetarium's
outreach programme, by putting the emphasis
back on live presentations and interaction
with the public. His hands-on method of training
staff has resulted in one of the UK's most
successful outreach programmes. He is also
responsible for developing the Planetarium's
role within the community for educating people
with learning difficulties and children with
special needs.
DR MASON'S
BACKGROUND
Dr Mason is an Earth Scientist
who graduated from The Queen's University of Belfast
in 1971. He emigrated to South Africa in 1974
after receiving his doctoral degree, where
he spent the next 22 years teaching at the
University of KwaZulu Natal in Durban. He
has extensive experience as a geological researcher
as well as being a specialist in sedimentology
and palaeontology.
(LEFT)
SNAP! - DR MASON DEMONSTRATES WHAT NOT TO
DO WHEN YOU MEET AN ALLIGATOR, DURING ONE
OF HIS VERY POPULAR SCIENCE WORKSHOPS.
Click
on image for a larger view.
What sets Dr Mason apart from
other scientists is his unique ability to
work with people of all levels. He is an enthusiastic,
thought provoking, and very humorous presenter
who is as comfortable presenting scientific
lectures as he is entertaining nursery aged
children.
The staff at Armagh would like
to congratulate Dr Mason on receiving the
MBE and for his ongoing commitment to rejuvenating
Armagh Planetarium. We look forward to many
more years under his guidance and leadership.
