Science Storytelling: Bringing the past to life through the magic of puppetry, music and dance
By:
Wendy Taylor & Puppet Planet
Date:
Tue, 08/09/2026 - 18:00
Venue:
SA Astronomical Observatory auditorium
Branch:
Western Cape
Cost: Free for members | R40 for non-members | R20 for student non-members
Refreshments: Coke, sherry/port & Amarula (R10 per glass), and wine (R20 per glass) will be served. Cash or QR Payments accepted on the day.
Queries: Contact saarchsoc.western@gmail.com
About the Talk:
Directions:
Refreshments: Coke, sherry/port & Amarula (R10 per glass), and wine (R20 per glass) will be served. Cash or QR Payments accepted on the day.
Queries: Contact saarchsoc.western@gmail.com
About the Talk:
In this presentation, Wendy and her team will demonstrate how they bring geoscience, marine science and astronomy to life and engage children’s interest in these topics through the use of puppetry, music and dance. They are also developing a narrative for indigenous knowledge systems and archaeology, and would love to hear your thoughts! This presentation will be child-friendly, so if you know any budding natural science enthusiasts, you are welcome to bring them along!
About the Presenter:
Trained as a paleontologist, Wendy began her career as a museum collections manager and has worked at several natural history museums and universities in the US and South Africa. She has been employed at Arizona State University (ASU) in the US for the past 20 years, where she has helped to create online courses and Virtual Field Trips (VFTs) through ASU’s Center for Education Through Exploration (https://etx.asu.edu/). While at ASU, she also served as an outreach specialist for several NASA missions to the Moon and Mars, as well as the Public Outreach Lead for ASU’s Astrobiology Program, Center for Meteorite Studies and EarthScope. In 2013, Wendy moved to South Africa with her husband, Philip Janney, and for the past 10 years has been an Honorary Research Associate in the Department of Geological Sciences at the University of Cape Town and a Museum Associate at the Iziko South African Museum (ISAM). Her research focuses on the evolution of the first complex animals to evolve in Earth’s early oceans. Wendy is also the founder of the science storytelling non-profit company Puppet Planet (www.puppetplanet.co.za) and is a co-founder of the online museum training program called PalaeoLink.
About the Presenter:
Trained as a paleontologist, Wendy began her career as a museum collections manager and has worked at several natural history museums and universities in the US and South Africa. She has been employed at Arizona State University (ASU) in the US for the past 20 years, where she has helped to create online courses and Virtual Field Trips (VFTs) through ASU’s Center for Education Through Exploration (https://etx.asu.edu/). While at ASU, she also served as an outreach specialist for several NASA missions to the Moon and Mars, as well as the Public Outreach Lead for ASU’s Astrobiology Program, Center for Meteorite Studies and EarthScope. In 2013, Wendy moved to South Africa with her husband, Philip Janney, and for the past 10 years has been an Honorary Research Associate in the Department of Geological Sciences at the University of Cape Town and a Museum Associate at the Iziko South African Museum (ISAM). Her research focuses on the evolution of the first complex animals to evolve in Earth’s early oceans. Wendy is also the founder of the science storytelling non-profit company Puppet Planet (www.puppetplanet.co.za) and is a co-founder of the online museum training program called PalaeoLink.
Use this Google Maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/XxVKg33yCjwv86uw9
Alternatively, follow these directions:
Coming from the N2, turn off to the M57 (Liesbeek Parkway) in the direction of Cape Town and continue to the 4-way traffic lights, passing Hartleyvale (hockey and football) on your left. Turn right at the traffic lights into Observatory Road, and go over the Liesbeek River bridge. The SAAO is next on the left. Once through the main sliding security gate, the security staff will scan your driver’s licence and car licence disc, and open the boom for you. Proceed straight ahead, then turn left, passing the main administrative building (on your right). Follow the AUDITORIUM signs, to the last building on the left. Please drive slowly so as not to injure any of the wildlife on the property.