Sarah worked with 4 energetic year 3 and 4 classes in a row, keeping Wildlife Wong and Curious Kai entertainingly front and centre with the special assistance of Pongo. Sarah's depth of knowledge and mastery in working with students of all abilities with genuine enthusiasm is absolutely outstanding, and any setting would be delighted with her.
Kids Workshops with Dr Sarah Pye
Dr Sarah is an experienced speaker and workshop facilitator who is engaging for kids as young as preschool or those ready to launch into adulthood.
She is also as accomplished presenting via Zoom as face-to-face! Watch the video below to learn more.
Scroll down to learn more about her workshops, or download a flyer to open a discussion with your team:
Presentations and Hands-on Workshops for Kids
Sarah's presentations align with the Australian curriculum from Prep to Year 7. She tailors her visits for maximum engagement. Don’t see what you need? Just ask!
WHAT SORT OF ANIMAL AM I? (1 HR)
Students learn about some of the incredible animals in Sarah's books through storytelling, puppetry and a multimedia presentation. They then embrace their ‘inner animal’ and colour an animal mask to take home. (Suitable for Years Prep-4).
THE COOLEST ANIMALS YOU NEVER KNEW EXISTED (1 HR)
This workshop starts with a multimedia presentation introducing some of the coolest rainforest animals on earth. Then students become part of the action: using puppets to act out a story from Wildlife Wong and the Fig Wasp. (Suitable for Years 3-6).
Teacher Testimonials
Sarah was very engaging with our students. She was well prepared and delivered an exciting presentation that was entertaining and informative. Sarah was able to integrate storytelling and Science and helped us explore the ideas of Science Week.
Jodie Rimland
Sarah agreed to leading a workshop linked to writing stories about local, endangered wildlife. As the Junior School Eco Coordinator at my school, I thought it was the perfect opportunity for my Eco Junior Team to learn how to effectively write a story using an endangered animal as a character. Sarah was very flexible by adapting the session to fit around the animals I had wished the students to focus on. Sharing her methodology for planning a story made it clear how the children could turn their ideas into an effective narrative. She engages the students with her enthusiasm for the cause of wildlife protection and her passion for writing great stories
Sam Cole
RAINFOREST IN A JAR (1 HR)
Did you know the oldest terrarium in the world was build in 1960? Sarah explains how a rainforest system works, and explores themes of biodiversity. Then students make their very own rainforest in a jar to take home. (Suitable for Years 3-7).
SCIENCE STORYTELLING: FACT OR FICTION?
Sarah uses her books to explore the differences between nonfiction and fiction; narratives and informational text. Students learn the importance of research, planning and editing, and add tools to their own writing toolbox. They even get to help Sarah research her next book!. (Suitable for Years 4-7).
WHO'S IN MY GARDEN/PLAYGROUND? (1 HR)
When Curious Kai meets scientist Matthew Connors, she learns all about tiny critters and their importance in ecosystems. In this workshop, teams build a quadrat (a grid which scientists use to count flora and fauna). Then they use it to investigate before sharing their findings. (Suitable for Years 4-9).
PARLIAMENT OF ANIMALS (4-5 HRS)
This exploration of civics and stewardship is suitable for one class or a group of student leaders.
Hypothetical developers propose a bridge across the river in a rainforest village. The mayor (Sarah) calls a town meeting and invites human and non-human residents. Students are allocated a character, research their character’s needs, then present their perspective at the town gathering before voting for or against the bridge takes place.
The day ends with a discussion of civics, through both an Australian and global lens. (Suitable for Years 6-9).
WRITING THE ENVIRONMENT (1 HR)
Science needs communicators! Building on the ‘Fact or Fiction’ workshop, or as a stand-alone workshop, students learn to hone their observation skills. With their tools sharpened, they put them to the test by planning and writing an environmental story. (Suitable for Years 7-12).
More Teacher Testimonials
Pitched really well to the age of the cohort. Great information that tied in so well to our Unit of Inquiry on Sharing the Planet. The making of the terrarium allowed the children to understand the layers of the rainforest and of course they got to take them home.
St Peters Lutheran College
Sarah’s school visit was very informative and engaging. She has some awesome teaching methods and ideas… I wish there was more time!
Montessori International College
Dr Sarah Pye captivated the students with her knowledge and expertise on endangered animals. Her sessions were fun and engaging and the students loved making orangutan nests for Pongo to try out in our nature play space.
Glasshouse Christian College
Looking for Workshops and Presentations for Adults?
Sarah is an experienced speaker and workshop facilitator who is as comfortable giving a keynote address in a university lecture.
Booking Kids Workshops
Contact Sarah for more information, or to book directly.
Alternatively, Speakers Ink, Lamont Authors and Authors Abroad represent Sarah.
They are recognised and trusted throughout Australia and globally. Simply click the logo below.
What Do Teachers say?
Our Year 1 teachers were absolutely raving about your presentation and having Pongo the puppet: all age appropriate and the kids were on the edges of their seats! So well done!
Kelly Durham ● Voices on the Coast Literary Festival 2023
Our students were very impressed in the way you were positively impacting the environment through your writing. Getting into how you go about writing your book and planning was fantastic. After you left, many students went back to evaluate their own planning for their stories, which was GREAT! We often talk about the importance of planning and to see an author talk about it was invaluable.
Emily Smith ● Year 5/6 Classroom Teacher
Both our prep and Year 1 class loved your visit yesterday. Your session was engaging, and the kids felt comfortable to ask questions and share their ideas. We loved the mask making — quick and age appropriate.
Sheree Baguley ● Year 1 and Prep Classroom Teacher
Sarah’s presentations were very informative for our students. They really enjoyed the topic, which aligned beautifully with the current units they were studying in both English and HASS. Sarah linked her writing experience to many useful techniques and language features that authors use, which will enhance the student’s writing. A really enjoyable incursion for both students and staff.
Linda Baggs ● Mooloolaba State School
Sarah’s school visit was very informative and engaging. She has some awesome teaching methods and ideas… I wish there was more time!
Teachers ● Montessori International College
Our students loved Sarah’s books and really enjoyed her workshops. They loved learning more about writing and publishing, and were also fascinated by the environmental issues and the endangered animals Sarah has based her books on. Her workshops align closely to many English, Science, HASS and Maths curriculum priorities across all Year levels. Highly recommended!
Deanne Jeffers ● Buderim Mountain State School
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