Learners get up close with marine life without leaving their classroom

Celebrating National marine week in Garden Route

To mark the start of National Marine Week being celebrated from 7-11 October 2019, the Coastal Management team from Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning have partnered with Two Oceans aquarium to bring a piece of the ocean into the classrooms of five primary schools in the garden route area.

The purpose is of marine week is to create awareness of the marine and coastal environment and to promote sustainable use and conservation of these resources. 

The outreach programme is aimed at Grade R to Grade 7 learners with the core material being presented aligning with the CAPS curriculum.  Partnering with the Department, the Two Oceans Aquarium’s mobile aquarium allows for transportation of live animals, will offer learners an informative, interactive and hands-on experience of ocean life.

The five schools being visited are:

• Sunridge Primary
• Concordia Primary
• Thembelitsha Primary
• Chris Nissen Primary
• Hornlee Primary

The marine animals which will be on display for the learners to see and touch include starfish, sea urchins and anemones. The lesson being presented includes an introduction to the rocky shore environment, how these animals are specifically adapted to their environment, food chains in the ocean, marine litter/pollution and the effects on marine life.

Marlene Laros, Director for Biodiversity and Coastal Management at the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning said: “Outreach programmes such as these are important in bringing the work we do to life by educating our young learners about the value of our coast. The diverse Western Cape coast is a strategic cultural asset and economic differentiator which must be protected and celebrated.  Inspiring our leaders of the future through knowledge and access will ensure its long-term resilience.”