Chesterville Secondary School was one of the lucky schools to visit uShaka Sea World during National Science Week recently.
National Science Week (NSW) is an initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) which aims primarily to encourage young people to develop an interest in the study of mathematics and science. Celebrated countrywide during the first week of August each year, it involves various stakeholders who conduct science-based activities.
Because uShaka Sea World is the only KwaZulu Natal role-player focussing on marine science, it provided a unique opportunity for Grade 9 learners in identified schools to explore marine career opportunities.
The programme was designed to accept a maximum of 60 learners per day. All of those selected to attend had shown promise in both maths and science.
Merging this year’s theme “International Year of Light” into marine career opportunities raised a challenge for the uShaka Sea World education team but, with some innovative and creative thinking, an exciting programme was designed.
A highlight for the learners was the opportunity to meet the Oceanographic Research Institute (ORI) scientists who showcased their individual research projects. These projects were varied and ranged from a focus on fisheries science, to the effects of climate change on sea level rise, to the challenges facing coral scientists.
After spending the morning with the scientists, the learners were taken behind the scenes in the aquarium to meet the aquarists, divers and laboratory technicians who look after our animals.
Aphiwe Kubheka enjoyed his visit to uShaka and was very proud to have been chosen to attend the Marine Careers Day. He was eager to share his personal dreams of becoming an outstanding policeman. “Science is difficult for me to understand but this just means that I have to work twice as hard. You even need science to be a policeman because science is everywhere in our lives”.
Sbongiseni Sishi was intrigued by the marine world and, for the first time in his life, he met someone who had chosen diving as a career. He asked many questions and enjoyed the practical lesson in pressure variables, compressed air, nitrogen regulation, buoyancy and demand valves. “Of all the different marine careers I learned about today, the one I found most interesting was the diver. I would like to be a diver one day when I leave school” said Sishi.
