Who is Seanie Morris?
Seanie has been involved in astronomy, space and science outreach since his late teens. He would often get involved in astronomy and science outreach with his local astronomy club, Midlands Astronomy Club (of which he has been a member since he was 12 years old). As his love of science grew and his interests broadened, his activities and voluntary outreach have led to Seanie being a recognisable figure in astronomy and science communication in Ireland.
He studied science in Maynooth University in experimental physics, computer science, mathematics and biology. During his studies, he was a founding member of the Astronomy & Physics Society (Astro 2) back in 1997. Between Maynooth and Tullamore, he was a member of 2 astronomy clubs, but as time passed and he moved back to Tullamore, that's where things took off.
Seanie's popular Rocket Making Workshops and other science outreach activities have been on the go since 2005, taking this fun STEM activity with arts and crafts around Ireland to schools, special interest groups, libraries and other astronomy clubs. Additional activities include telescope astronomy, physics, static electricity, and science experiments. During school midterms and in Summer he leads science summer camps, and is regularly hired for indoor and outdoor Rocket Launching Workshops, Fun with Science, and general Astronomy.
In 2023 he has become more involved with VEX Robotics programme through Offaly County Council. He hosts robot workshops on their behalf as part of the VEX IQ Robotics Schools Competition and is an MC at the competition events.
Seanie is also a regular voice on Irish radio talking about the latest space mission or science news, and has been heard on Midlands 103, RTE Radio 1, Newstalk, Ros FM, and Athlone Community Radio.
Seanie is trained, qualified and mentored in a range of related disciplines:
- Level 6 QQI Qualifications in: Human Resources Management; Training Delivery & Evaluation; Special Needs Assisting (SNA);
- Trained in the Science Capital Teaching Approach from University College London;
- Completed the "Astronomy with an Online Telescope" course through the Open University;
- Garda Vetted through a number of universities, schools and local authorities;
- Trained in Child Safeguarding;
- Trained in a multitude of teaching, training and public relations faculties.
Seanie hopes that by sharing his love for science and allied subjects that he can inspire children to take a bigger and deeper interest in STEM, highlighting its benefits in the world around them and the opportunities that are and will be available to them as they grow through school.
