Niamh Shaw facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Niamh Shaw
Dr. Niamh Shaw in 2017
Alma mater	University College Dublin, (PhD)
Occupation	Science Communicator, writer and performer
Years active	2005 — today

Niamh Shaw is an amazing Irish scientist, engineer, writer, and performer. She loves to share her passion for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) with everyone!

From 2019 to 2020, Niamh was an important ambassador for the Irish Girl Guides. She inspired many girls and women in Ireland to follow their dreams. Her first book, Dream Big: An Irishwoman's Space Odyssey, shares her exciting 40-year journey. It's all about her childhood dream of going to space!

Niamh's Early Life and Learning

Niamh studied at University College Dublin. She earned degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Biosystems Engineering. Later, she completed her Ph.D. in Food Science in 2001.

After her Ph.D., Niamh worked as a researcher. She continued her studies at University College Dublin until 2003.

In 2015, she joined a special program. It was called the International Space University Space Studies Programme. This program helped her learn even more about space.

Niamh's Exciting Career

In 2003, Niamh started acting and performing. She appeared in TV shows and movies. These included Fair City and Dorothy Mills.

She also acted in other films like Satellites & Meteorites (2008). You might also know her from A Shine of Rainbows (2009) or Hideaways (2011). She was in Little Brother, Big Trouble: A Christmas Adventure (2012) and You're Ugly Too (2015).

Niamh is also a talented improvisation comedian. She has performed with several comedy groups. These include The Craic Pack Comedy Improv and The Cardinals.

Sharing Science with Everyone

In 2011, Niamh created her first theater show. It was called "That's About the Size of It". While making the show, she visited CERN. This is a huge science lab where physicists study tiny particles.

Her show toured from 2011 to 2013. It helped people understand science in a fun way.

Niamh has created other cool science shows too. These include Baking in Space (2018–2019) and Art in Mind (2016–2018). She also performed Irish Astronauts of 1991 (2018) and My Place in Space (2014–2016).

From 2014 to 2019, she was an artist at Cork Institute of Technology BlackRock Castle Observatory.

Niamh helped start STEAMakers. This is a global group that inspires young people. They want more kids to think about careers in STEM. She often speaks at events to encourage "Women in STEM". In 2014, she gave a TEDx talk at University College Dublin.

Since 2016, she has taught at the International Space University. She helps students learn about space communication.

Since 2014, Niamh has had a big goal. She wants to travel to space as an artist and a regular person. She doesn't want to be an astronaut.

In 2019, she visited NASA's Johnson Space Centre in Houston, Texas. She spoke at their big innovation meeting there.

She also joined the Homeward Bound (organization) trip to Antarctica in 2023. To get ready, she created a special program for schools. It teaches about climate change and the extreme environment of Antarctica.

Inspiring Speaker and Lecturer

Niamh has given talks at many important events. These include WIRED UK and New Scientist Live. She also spoke at the NASA Johnson Innovation Summit in Houston, Texas, USA.

On March 9, 2019, she spoke at Áras an Uachtarain. This is the home of the Irish President. She spoke after President Michael D. Higgins talked about "Women in STEM". This was part of a special day celebrating International Women's Day.

After finishing the Space Studies Programme in 2015, she returned to teach. She lectured on communication and arts for the program in 2016, 2017, and 2018.

Creative Performer, Writer, and Artist

Niamh's theater project, Diary of a Martian Beekeeper, started in 2017. It was shown again in 2018. This show got funding from Science Foundation Ireland. It explored the huge team effort behind human space exploration.

Her second STEAM show was called To Space. It was all about her dream to visit the International Space Station. She even shared her mission with the astronauts there. This show toured Europe and Australia from 2014 to 2016. It was performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (2015) and Adelaide Fringe (2016).

Niamh also shares her work at science conferences. She talks about how art, science, and technology work together. She has spoken at events like Communicating Astronomy with the Public (2018).

She often writes for the BBC Sky at Night astronomy magazine. She also talks about science and technology on Irish radio and in newspapers.

Her other creative projects include "Dream Big" (2015) and "Speaking with Plants" (2014). Her work has been supported by many groups. These include the European Space Agency and Science Foundation Ireland.

Exploring Mars on Earth

In 2017, Niamh joined a special team. They were part of a pretend Mars mission. It took place at the Mars Desert Research Station in southern Utah. Niamh was the artist and journalist for the team.

After this mission, she had another amazing experience. She went on a zero-gravity flight! This happened at the Star City Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Russia.

In 2018, she helped at a new Mars simulation place. It's called D-MARS and is in Ramon Crater, Israel. She documented their first mission there.

Niamh has worked with Lottie Dolls to create workshops for young girls. These workshops combine drama and space exploration. She even took a Stargazer Lottie doll with her on her Mars missions. The doll also went on the zero-gravity flight in Russia!

Based on her Mars experiences, Niamh created her third theater show. It was called Diary of a Martian Beekeeper (2018).

On TV, Radio, and in Print

Niamh often appears on TV and radio. She talks about science and her space adventures. She has been on The Tommy Tiernan Show and The Late Late Show. You might have seen her on the Today show on RTÉ One. She also appeared on The Seven O'Clock Show on TV3.

Awards and Recognition

In 2014, Niamh was named one of Ireland's talented 38 Technology Women.

She won a special award in 2018. It was the Science Foundation Ireland Outstanding Contribution to STEM Communication Award. She shared it with Dr. John O'Donoghue.

On International Women's Day 2019, she was invited to speak at Áras an Uachtaráin. She responded to President Michael D. Higgins's speech about Irish Women in STEM.

She was the Honorary Ambassador for the Irish Girl Guides from 2019 to 2020.

In 2022, the European Space Agency recognized her. They named her a European Space Champion. This was for her amazing work in promoting space.