Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Janet Ivey-Duensing. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Janet, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
As I journey across the country with my Janet’s Planet tour, I am on a mission to not just entertain, but to enchant and inspire our next generation of thinkers and dreamers. My mission is all about sparking the imaginations of young minds, whether they’re destined to be the next great mathematician, a pioneering scientist, an artist, or an intrepid space explorer. Frederick Buechner said, “that we will always be called to the place where our deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet, ” and I can most assuredly tell you that I am standing knee deep in my gladness performing for and creating hands on experiences for students. I’ve seen firsthand the profound impact of positive reinforcement. Students crave to hear that they are brilliant, capable, and extraordinary; and it is a privilege to speak those enthusiastic words over every student I can.
In each performance, interaction, and singular moments, there’s an opportunity to alter a young person’s perspective, to introduce them to a universe of possibilities they hadn’t considered before. I love to perform, I love all that it entails, the nervous energy before the show begins, the hope that the audience is willing to hop in their rocket and ride along with you… but the meaningful moments are when you can see the proverbial light bulb click on. There’s the magic and the meaning; in some ways it’s like mid-wifery for young minds, I get to witness their awareness of their own genius bursting forth.
A couple of years ago, I was with students in Artesia, NM, when one of the 4th grade girls had a moment of frustration as she built her “Lunar Lander.” I went to her and said, “anything I can do to help?” She replied, “no”, but I kept my eye on her. 20 minutes later, she is smiling and jumping for joy. I ran over and I said, “What is going on?” And she said, “I just realized how smart I am!” And those are the moments that really knock me out…because it isn’t about me, it’s about making sure the students come to stand in their inherent magnificence.
I strive to blend insight and knowledge with playfulness.. Rumi said, ” There’s no one with intelligence in this town except that man over there playing with the children, the one riding the stick horse. He has keen, fiery insight and vast dignity like the night sky, but he conceals it in the madness of child’s play.”
This is my life’s calling, to be a conduit to curiosity, to be one with the joy, exuberance and child like wonder!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My interest and love of science happened in the 5th grade when the holiest of elementary teachers ever, Mrs. Ernestine Yarborough, encouraged my 10 year old thirst for knowledge by allowing me to write stories using my vocabulary words, and my science homework. And the only rule was that the vocabulary words had to be spelled correctly and the science had to be factual. From there, any leap of fancy could prevail. She encouraged my writing, my music, my ART. She is the one that said, “Girls, Science is for EVERYBODY, not just for the boys.” And every Friday Mrs. Yarborough would come by each student’s desk and whisper a word of encouragement into our ears. She would threaten us greatly in her beautiful booming voice if any of us dared to share what was meant for our ear and our ear alone.
I have no idea what she whispered to the others in my 5th grade class, I only know that she whispered to me, “What a great writer you are!” “What a great thinker you are!” “You could be a scientist or an artist, maybe both!” She made me love the solar system and the stars and all the planets. I truly believe the genesis of my life’s mission happened in that very classroom.
SHE was the catalyst for me loving space and science and art and a multitude of other things. In truth, she is the RUBRIC, by which I measure how I teach, how I deliver multi-media messages and how I seek to encourage and inspire.
Twenty-seven years ago, when I decided to create Janet’s Planet, I knew that my mission would revolve around sharing the love of space and our solar system with young students across the globe.
Back then, Bill Nye the Science Guy and Beakman’s World were the only science shows on TV, but I could not find a female hosting a show about science. And that’s when I knew my mission was to create a platform around my love of space and science and encourage students to reach for the stars.
But enough about me, let’s talk planetary science for a minute. For a planet to sustain life, it has to be in a comfortable position around its Sun. Around a star like our Sun, there is a shell-shaped region of space, called the Habitable Zone or HZ, where a planet can maintain liquid water on the surface and have a mass large enough to establish a stable planetary path around the star at the center of its solar system.
With that knowledge allow me to ask you “What’s your HZ?” What’s your habitable zone? Where do you orbit best? To discover where your joy revolves, find the axis where you rotate the most happily and most excitedly. For complex life forms like ourselves, we get our energy from our Sun, so make sure #PlanetYou revolves around those things that provide you with wonder and glee!
I planted my flag on Janet’s Planet and said, this, this is where I make my stand. I will be a woman who touts the merits of space, science and art as the most noble of endeavors and I will orbit around this.
Welcome to Janet’s Planet where we are traveling at the speed of thought! Hi everybody, I’m Janet, founder and creator of Janet’s Planet.
Now you may be asking, “What exactly is “Janet’s Planet?” In truth, It has been many things since the idea first started orbiting in my brain. Janet’s Planet has been short 1-2 minute interstitials targeted to kids ages 6-10 on space, science, history and health on public television stations across the US since the year 2000. Janet’s Planet has been space and science educational outreach since 2008 and I have shared my love of the solar system with students around the world. Janet’s Planet has been a national touring show performing aka Tour of the Solar System in some of the most amazing performing arts centers in the US since 2011. And Janet’s Planet Astronaut Academy began its summer camps in 2019 and Janet’s Planet began its online virtual classes in 2020.
What exactly is Janet’s Planet?
In truth, it has been many things since the idea first started orbiting in my brain.
TV and YouTube (both short form content 1-5 minutes in length and long form content 6-30 minutes in length.
Global Space and Science Education Outreach
A Touring Show in Performing Art Centers
An Astronaut Academy (summer camps and online classes)
A Science and Space Communication Platform
And if you are still scratching your head and thinking, what is Janet’s Planet? The best I can do to sum it up is that Janet’s Planet is the dream of a girl named Janet, to inspire students to reach for the stars and be not just one thing…but a whole galaxy of things!
I love acting and music and space and science…I like to think if Davinci let art inform his science and his science inform his art, then that works for me as well.
I am an actress! I played the wife of the town Santa Claus in the faith based movie “The Least of These” on Amazon Prime and a meddling mom trying to get high school sweethearts back together in the 2022 Christmas movie, “Merry and Gay” available at tellofilms.com. It’s possible you have heard my voice on a commercial or audiobook, or even seen me in a commercial and not known it!
I’m a teacher and educator! I’ve been teaching and working with students since 1992. I’ve taught everything from acting to space exploration and science. It’s hard to imagine, but since the first interstitials of Janet’s Planet aired on public television, and with all my outreach since…I’ve reached millions of students globally!
I have floated in microgravity aboard a Zero-G plane! In 2008, Space Florida called and said they had a mandate from the Stephen Hawking Foundation to explain and share microgravity with Florida classrooms. I got to write and produce a half hour documentary on Exploring Microgravity and experience briefly (20-25 seconds at a time) what astronauts experience in space aboard a parabolic flight.
I’m a science communicator! CNN has had me on multiple times since 2021 talking about everything from the Mars Perseverance Rover, to the Mars Ingenuity Helicopter to the James Webb Space Telescope!
https://fb.watch/v/7CZZ6hspj/
https://fb.watch/v/7CZZ6hspj/
https://fb.watch/v/1Oj3ZftS6/
I am a children’s book writer!
In 2020, the first in my Unsung Genius book series was published. In a world where the contributions of women in science has only begun to be given voice, Unsung Genius,
First in the series:
Mary Anning, Daring To Dig https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/daring-to-dig-janet-ivey-duensing/1136632334?ean=9781648261671
We hope to encourage the female scientists of today and tomorrow by applauding and lauding the females of yesterday who have gone largely unknown. It is our intent that revealing the little known and never exalted inventions and discoveries by women will serve as a catalyst of heroic proportions that catapults the lives of young women today into the scientists, technologists, engineers, and mathematicians of tomorrow.
Most of all we want to communicate to the next generation and beyond that SMART is the most amazing thing you can be.
The second book: Wally Funk, Higher, Faster, Longer was co-written with Wally Funk herself and Loretta Hall! https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/higher-faster-longer-janet-ivey-duensing/1140807977
Wally once told me, “NEGATIVITY CONTAMINATES ENERGY! It slows you down. Your goal is to keep saying, ‘Yes, I can do it.’ And keep moving forward with confidence.” On Tuesday, July 20, 2021, (coincidentally the 52nd anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing) she flew to space aboard a Blue Origin commercial flight all her vitality was on full display! Wally has a heart as wide as the world itself, and watching her soar into space is tangible proof that dreams do not have an expiration date as long as you stay committed to your goal.
I suppose to sum it up best I am:
Creator and CEO of Janet’s Planet, Inc.
Director of Education at Explore Mars
American Astronautical Society’s 2023 recipient of the Sally K Ride Excellence in Education Award.
Board of Advisors Above Space
President of the Advisory Board for the Cosmic Girls Foundation
NASA JPL Solar System Ambasador
Author of Unsung Genius Book Series, Celebrating Unsung Women in Science
12 Regional Emmy Awards
5 Gracie Awards
STEM-FLORIDA Award for Exploring Microgravity 35 minute documentary for students
3-8
Board of Governors for the National Space Society
2 Tedx Talks, AWE Inspired Science & How To Inhabit Your Very Own Planet #PlanetYou
Self Appointed Guardian & Shepherdess of the Next Generation of Space Explorers
And I am still adding things to my list of things that I am, do and want to do. I will always be a dreamer. I hope to go to space in the near future, I am working on the next iteration of Janet’s Planet content, writing more books, and looking forward to seeing one of my students or mentees walk on Mars…and on and on my dreams go. This is how I intentionally “inhabit Janet’s Planet.”
Einstein said, “Imagination is everything … it is the preview of coming attractions.”
For classes, camps and upcoming shows and to travel at the speed of thought with Janet’s Planet, go to www.janetsplanet.com
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
In the realm of aerospace and it’s amplificationi, I once grappled with my own personal black hole: the imposter syndrome. Picture this: I’m at these super brainy conferences, pitching Janet’s Planet, my heart racing faster than light itself. I couldn’t shake the feeling of being an outsider. No string of academic acronyms trailing my name, just pure, unadulterated passion for space education. Growing up in the South with a double X chromosome, I mastered the art of self-deprecation long before I learned to celebrate my smarts and tenacity.
Then came a game-changing encounter with a NASA space artist, Pat Rawlings, who spotted my self-doubt lurking in the shadows like an undiscovered asteroid. Pat shared his own tale of insecurity when he first joined NASA, half-expecting to be jettisoned from the team at any moment. Yet, as he added his artistic touch to engineering designs—slapping on a door here, a window there—he realized his flair was not just appreciated but needed. His story wasn’t just a pep talk; it was a revelation. “If you’re here, you’ve got something unique that these scientists and engineers can’t spin without,” he essentially said.
That advice was starshine, illuminating my path and dispelling my doubt. It taught me to embrace my place in the universe of space and science communicators not as an interloper but as a vital force. The specter of not being enough? It’s dwindling into the void, one light-year at a time. Thanks to Pat’s wisdom, I’m now steering through the space industry with purpose and pride. Here’s to conquering the final frontier of self-doubt—no rocket science required.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
Whew, boy do I? Allow me to share an encounter that perfectly encapsulates the journey of a creative in the vast and often intimidating field of space exploration.
As the creator of Janet’s Planet, my mission has always been to ignite the spark of curiosity and wonder about the universe in the hearts of children and adults alike. My passion for space and science education has taken me to countless events, but one in particular stands out—a science center event where I had the opportunity to share the stage with a Mars Rover scientist.
Dressed in my signature Janet’s Planet attire, brimming with excitement to meet a Mars Rover Scientist, I was met with a reaction I hadn’t anticipated. Instead of a warm exchange about our shared passion for the solar system, the scientist glanced at my ring finger and made a comment that implied the only reason I could be there, dressed as I was and doing what I love, was because I had a husband supporting my endeavors.. He literally and audaciouslly questioned the legitimacy of my presence at this shared event where we each had equal billing.
I went immediately and took my seat, and sweet validation occurred moments later when a young girl recognized me and exclaimed, “Oh my gosh, there’s Janet from Janet’s Planet!” Her excitement was infectious and soon, a line of eager young fans formed, all waiting for an autograph from me.. It was an affirming moment that reinforced why I do what I do. Meanwhile, the Mars Rover scientist, noticing the attention I was receiving, half-jokingly lamented his lack of similar adoration despite his landing two Mars rovers on the Red Planet. I couldn’t help but laugh and respond, “Yep, but you don’t have your own planet.”
His presentation was incredibly informative, delving into the complexities of space exploration and the intricacies of Mars Rover missions. Yet, when he explained the concept of Delta V using advanced equations, a young boy’s question highlighted the gap between academic explanations and public understanding. The scientist’s attempt to clarify only deepened the confusion, which made me think about how I would’ve approached the explanation—relating it to everyday experiences to make it more accessible. I would have told this 10 year old with the southern drawl asking, “What is DELTA V?” that it is the oopmh the push, the momentum necessary to get up and off a gravity well…and I said, take your couch, let’s say that is the gravity well, and you are sitting on it playing your favorite video game, when your mother appears and asks you to take the trash out the door and to the trash can outside. The oomph, the push you must give yourself to quit playing the game, acclerate off the couch, out the door with the bag of trash, is more a horizontal example of what Delta V is. In the vertical for a rocket, Delta V is just the amount of force needed, a powerful explosion of energy to get that rocket off the launchpad and on its way to Mars. Simple yes, but relatable.
This experience, shared later with a room full of space engineers and experts, opened up a conversation about the different ways we communicate complex ideas. One engineer admitted he couldn’t think in the abstract, creative ways in the way that I was doing to explain space concepts. This interaction was enlightening for both of us. It wasn’t about undermining the importance of technical accuracy but about recognizing the value of creativity in making science approachable and exciting.
My goal at Janet’s Planet is to elevate the power of creativity in education and the importance of making space for different perspectives in the world of science and technology and to make Delta V sound less like a calculus problem and more like an adventure waiting just outside your door.
It’s good to remember that Davinci let his art inform his science and his science inform his art, something creatives and non creatives alike might tuck away in our proverbial career toolbelts. I never want to dumb down science or undermine academic rigor; for me, the creative pursuit in the space science/STEM/STEAM realm is about expanding understanding to include those who dream in colors, not just equations.
To all the non-creatives who might struggle to understand the path of a creative in scientific fields, I hope this story sheds some light on the challenges and rewards of bridging the gap between complex concepts and making science relevant and relatable to the public. Whether through equations or stories, the goal remains the same—to light up the imagination and show that in the vast expanse of knowledge, there’s a place for every explorer.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.janetsplanet.com
- Instagram: @janetsplanet.janetiveyduensing
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JanetsPlanet
- Linkedin: Janet Ivey Duensing https://www.linkedin.com/in/janetsplanet/
- Twitter: @JanetsPlanet
- Youtube: @JanetsPlanetOfficial