Quality digital and non-digital domes for shared immersive experiences

Digital planetarium service for all ages specialising in astronomy, cross-curricular learning, new media art and multi-sensory immersive experiences

I was the first and only manager of the UK's first purpose-built digital planetarium, which my team and I quickly turned into one of the world's most progressive small digital domes. A year before I was made redundant it also became the UK's busiest planetarium and one of the top 5 busiest small planetariums in the world. More here:https://dimaggio.org/sciart.htmlhttps://dimaggio.org/dome_club.htmlhttps://dimaggio.org/fulldomedance.html

Very useful part-time work to supplement my low salary and gain additional science communication experience. I presented day-long biology and general science extension activities to schools and gifted and talented groups. I also researched, designed and presented a special event for teens called 'The Science of Clubbing'.

In May 2006 I proposed and created the Association's first electronic mailing list and administered it for five years.

After meeting the delegation from Macao on a planning visit to GSC, they offered me the position of planetarium consultant. Theirs was a long project and I was privileged to assist to the end. The Macao Planetarium is the only planetarium to appear in the current Guinness Book of Records.

I was honoured to work alongside Prof John Brown, the Astronomer Royal for Scotland, who was the lead consultant on this project.

Launched (and managed for three years) the most expensive planetarium in the UK. The Zeiss Starmaster fibre-optic projector alone costs £750,000. I apparently also inspired colleagues, as Jon Davies, former GSC Planetarium Presenter, explains: "Mario, when I first started in the ScottishPower Space Theatre (SPST) I was terrified at the thought of presenting to the public. When I agreed with my line manager to transfer to the SPST I had no idea it involved public presenting - I thought it would… Show more Launched (and managed for three years) the most expensive planetarium in the UK. The Zeiss Starmaster fibre-optic projector alone costs £750,000. I apparently also inspired colleagues, as Jon Davies, former GSC Planetarium Presenter, explains: "Mario, when I first started in the ScottishPower Space Theatre (SPST) I was terrified at the thought of presenting to the public. When I agreed with my line manager to transfer to the SPST I had no idea it involved public presenting - I thought it would be twiddling knobs at the back to make the stars come on. The first time I stepped through the door I was behind you and you pointed at the podium and said "that's where we'll be presenting from", you didn't see my face - it was a look of pure terror! In the early days watching you present was such an inspiration to me and then when I finally did my first one it was one of those life-changing experiences. YOU are responsible for setting me off and I have you in my head often when I am talking to people under the stars. I especially liked the way you pronounced certain words eg. Saturn - I still say it just like you." (Nov 2013). More here: https://dimaggio.org/zeiss.html Show less

Sir Patrick Moore was the first director of Armagh Planetarium and in the 1970s it became the first planetarium to use video, eventually leading to the modern-day fulldome revolution. Despite the surreal challenges, I consider it a privilege to have worked here. More here: https://bit.ly/3XqYOGC

When Armagh Planetarium closed for renovations in 2001, I made good use of my time on weekends working at the newly-opened W5 Science Centre in Belfast as a part-time Discovery Team member (gallery explainer).

I was brought on-board to carry out planetarium and exhibit research in preparation for opening. I edited the script of new Spitz planetarium show Oasis In Space (acknowledged in the show credits), which world-premiered in Bristol on 12th August 2000; I researched and compiled a historic and architectural self-guided trail of the at-Bristol complex; I also researched, evaluated and prepared the display text for the New Technologies exhibit. Unfortunately the planetarium positions I was hoping… Show more I was brought on-board to carry out planetarium and exhibit research in preparation for opening. I edited the script of new Spitz planetarium show Oasis In Space (acknowledged in the show credits), which world-premiered in Bristol on 12th August 2000; I researched and compiled a historic and architectural self-guided trail of the at-Bristol complex; I also researched, evaluated and prepared the display text for the New Technologies exhibit. Unfortunately the planetarium positions I was hoping to apply for were cancelled due to lack of funds. Show less

It was a privilege and a pleasure to help bring together the disparate interactive science education initiatives in South Africa under one umbrella association.

The KwaZuzulwazi Science Centre (https://dimaggio.org/kz.html) was only the third or fourth such interactive science facility in South Africa, so I enthusiastically volunteered to help establish southern Africa's first science centre network.

Working closely with the local amateur astronomy society, the Astronomy Interest Group was associated with the museum's Simulated Planetarium (simplanet.domeclub.com) and was supported by the Museum Friends Society. It consisted of over 100 members at its peak, including Dr David Malin as an honorary member. More here: https://dimaggio.org/kz.html

Amongst other museum education department operations, I established, managed and grew the KwaZuzulwazi Science Centre network to seven branches (kz.domeclub.com) from 1991-1999. It included Durban's first public internet cafe! I also established South Africa's third planetarium in the form of the museum's 'Simulated Planetarium' ie. I found someone to sponsor a data projector and computer for the museum theatre and we screened astronomy and space content. I dreamed of one day working in a real… Show more Amongst other museum education department operations, I established, managed and grew the KwaZuzulwazi Science Centre network to seven branches (kz.domeclub.com) from 1991-1999. It included Durban's first public internet cafe! I also established South Africa's third planetarium in the form of the museum's 'Simulated Planetarium' ie. I found someone to sponsor a data projector and computer for the museum theatre and we screened astronomy and space content. I dreamed of one day working in a real planetarium. More here: https://dimaggio.org/kz.html Show less

I asked to be transferred from the Durban Botanic Gardens to continue my conscientious objector sentence (I have a criminal record in South Africa) at the Natural Science Museum. There I really thrived and made myself invaluable - so much so that a third Education Officer position was created just for me when my sentence was brought to an end after three years (on Nelson Mandela being released). More here: https://dimaggio.org/manpower.html

I objected to compulsory military service in apartheid South Africa and so was sentenced to 6 years Community Service. I served 16 months in the Durban Botanic Gardens carrying out various horticultural operations (including feeding the ducks first thing every morning!). More here: https://dimaggio.org/manpower.html