Cape Town - Two Western Cape scholars who journeyed on a once-in-a-lifetime voyage on board the SA Agulhas II have returned home.
Aimeè Stollie from Môrester Akademie in Vanrhynsdorp and Akhona Zondo from the Lawhill Maritime Centre in Simon’s Town were the first school learners selected to be part of the SEAmester VII – South Africa’s Class Afloat programme.
The SEAmester programme combines traditional classroom lectures with hands-on ship-based deck activities, while providing students with an opportunity to support specialist scientists in recognised marine research activities.
This year, the SEAmester team, co-ordinated by Professor Isabelle Ansorge from the University of Cape Town (UCT) and Tahlia Henry from Anchor Environmental, made spaces available for high school learners, after the introduction of marine sciences as a school subject in grades 10 to 12.
The two selected matriculants were joined on the 10-day trip by National Teaching Award-winner and top 10 finalist for the Varkey Foundations’ 2023 Global Teacher Prize, Mariëtte Wheeler.
Wheeler is also a curriculum planner for marine sciences and agricultural subjects in the Western Cape Education Department (WCED).
She highlighted the importance of the trip for learners choosing marine science as a subject.
“Learners enrolling for any subject, but especially the sciences, should not study the work only as ‘textbook knowledge’ but should ideally be able to see its relevance around them.
“Such experiential learning is encouraged through participation in relevant outings and experiences as well as project-based learning.
“The content covered during the lectures and practical activities linked well with the Marine Sciences curriculum, while the practical activities, as well as research projects, provided these learners with first-hand experiences in real-time marine research,” Wheeler said.
On the final evening of the voyage, Stollie, who is interested in Marine Engineering, was selected as the top student of SEAmester 2024.
The enthusiastic learner reflected on her journey: “SEAmester was truly a life-changing experience. It was a way to discover more about not only myself, but also science and all the possibilities and opportunities. I always knew the ocean was amazing and complicated, but this voyage made me realise how interesting the ocean really is by helping me understand it.”
Zondo, who is interested in studying marine biology, volunteered to give a talk to the participants on sailing terminology, as she sails as a hobby in Simon’s Town.
“After the voyage, I can now proudly say that barriers of poverty and lack of access to this esteemed subject will be broken within my community.
“Watch this space,” Zondo said. Lecturers, scientists and crew on board commended both learners on their participation and skills.
Education MEC David Maynier thanked the Department of the Environment, Forestry and Fisheries as well as Africa Marine Solutions for making the voyage possible.
Cape Argus