The Story of Life Project: a 4,6 billion year odyssey
The theory of evolution published by Charles Darwin in the first edition of his book 'On the Origin of species' in 1859, is recognised today as perhaps the greatest intellectual revolution in the entire history of science. By the mid 1800s, the science of systematics (classification of organisms into hierarchical groups) was already well established, but scientists could not explain how diversity of life came about and believed it to be by omnipotent individual design.
When Darwin’s work appeared, the science of genetics was still in its infancy, and although Mendel’s work was published in 1866, its true significance was only realised more than 60 years later (Mendel explained how heredity works), only a few year's after Darwin's book. In the 1930s, the modern evolutionary synthesis was born, based on a combination of Darwinian natural selection and Mendelian inheritance.
Today, evolution is no longer considered to be a theory and is widely accepted by most serious scientists as the process responsible for the diversity of life on our planet.
In 2009, we celebrated 200 years since the birth of Charles Darwin and 150 years after the publication of the first edition of his famous book 'On the Origin of Species'. We believe that this was a great opportunity to use this event as a vehicle for the promotion of science in its broadest context.
What was happening?
The commemoration includes 14 events, with 26 popular scientific lectures (see podcasts), which were presented throughout the year, as well as a stage play.
Stage Play
To commemorate the life of Darwin and celebrate his monumental contribution to the understanding of life, the Department of Drama and Theatre Art produced the play 'Don’t shoot the messenger', written and directed by Prof Nico Luwes. The play premiered in March 2009 and was preformed again in May 2009.
Lecture Programme during 2009
A celebration like this could not be completed without formal popular scientific lectures about various aspects of the odyssey of life. THE STORY OF LIFE opened with the big bang and the birth of our universe on 11 Feb 2009, followed by the geological evolution of our planet and its Moon (Department of Geology), and The origin of life presented by Prof Rawlings of Stellenbosch University. The latter lecture coincided with the 50th anniversary of the Department of Microbial, Biochemical, and Food Biotechnology. These lectures were followed by the 'Radiation of biodiversity' presented by staff from Zoology and Entomology and Plant Sciences. Dr Botha-Brink and Dr Brink, both from the National Museum, presented lectures on Extinction and Origin of humankind. Lectures on the Road to civilisation (Geography, Anthropology), The start of agriculture, Human dispersions through the world, and Proliferation of technology (Communication, Chemistry, and Physics), followed. The latter lecture also involved more than 1 000 learners that visited the university over two days and experienced different aspects of technology and communication. Colleagues from the Centre for Environmental Management and the Faculty of Health Sciences from the UFS, the Department of Engineering at 
CUT, and people from the private sector presented lectures on the human impact on the planet, the changing environment, and how to care for our world. The programme series ended on 11 February 2010, with the lecture 'Trends in Evolution and their Bearing on the Future of Humankind' presented by Prof Bruce Rubidge and Prof Terence McCarthy, authors of The Story of Earth and Life.
The National Museum
The Bloemfontein National Museum participated in the programme presented on the UFS Bloemfontein Campus, but simultaneously presented temporary exhibitions that coincided with the programme on campus. They also organised their own separate events within the realm of the central theme 'the story of life'
Central University of Technology
Different departments from CUT participated in the programme, particularly in events concerning new technologies.