Hello welcome to my website I am an Artist, Astronomer and  Educator.
I invent design and enact creative workshops to help children understand our solar system. That's me in a nutshell !!

Latest News !!!! 

Deirdre has an asteroid named after her !!!!!
52681 Kelleghan is its title ...... read about it here

Details of new workshops in pdf file below

2019_workshops_apollo_11_our_sun_and_dark_night_rises.pdf
File Size: 822 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Other  NEWS ......... Deirdre has been honoured by the European Space Agency with a Certificate of recognition for her contribution to the ESA Rosetta Mission to Comet 67P/ CG
Action Comet workshop summary here


New workshops for all ages  children and adults

Marvellous Mars
A workshop showcasing some of the most beautiful robot explorer images of Mars. A challenge to draw and examine the surface of the red planet in highly textured detail.  Learn about Mars, become familiar with and enjoy the planet .We will compare Mars with our own Earth. We will also look at present and near future missions to Mars by NASA and the European Space Agency.




Inspiring Worlds - Inspiring Art

A presentation about the incredible beauty of worlds within our solar system and beyond.

During the presentation we will look deeply at the surfaces of other worlds . We will explore the rich visual environments that both inform and inspire my paintings.  The color , textures , shapes and lines involved all have a story to tell , a story of wonder and magnificent power.

Methodology : A PowerPoint presentation showcasing diverse and thought provoking images from robotic spacecraft - 20  minutes

Followed by an opportunity to draw and further understand the images. 1 hour

Materials provided - Paper ,Soft  Pastels , Hand wipes, Fixatives

 
Both workshops support STEM subjects in the National  curriculum. Both encourage the use of software and applications to build confidence in using ICT productively.   Both workshops support the national curriculum   Science Strand , Geography Strand and  Visual Arts Strand. Where possible educational materials provided by NASA and ESA will be given to teachers and pupils.

Contact me for details - skysketcher@gmail.com


Some images from my visit to Lusk National School with my  Deadly Moons  Workshop  and other interesting talks.

My workshop Action Comet 67/P CG is had a very  interesting reaction !!!  Click the heart to read the very positive comments.

Picture
11th Wicklow Cub Pack Kilmacanogue making comets

Picture
Deirdre with her model of comet 67/P CG at Dunsink Observatory on Culture Night 2014



All children are artists.
The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.
  
Pablo Picasso