A Grade 12 learner from Vanrhynsdorp in the Western Cape has been chosen as the top SEAmester student for 2024.
Aimeè Stollie from Môrester Akademie was congratulated for this prestigious achievement by Western Cape MEC of Education, David Maynier.
Stollie, and Akhona Zondo, a Grade 12 learner at Simon’s Town High School joined oceanographic, fisheries, biogeochemical, and biological experts on the SA Agulhas II from June 18 to June 28.
The SEAmester programme is usually offered to postgraduate students. With the introduction of Marine Sciences as a school subject in Grades 10 to 12, the SEAmester team, led by Professor Isabelle Ansorge from the University of Cape Town (UCT), made two spaces available for high school learners.
Grade 11 and Grade 12 learners with a passion for marine sciences were invited to apply for this amazing opportunity. Applicants had to provide a written motivation covering their understanding of the importance of marine science research on vessels such as the SA Agulhas II. They also had to indicate what they hoped to gain from the experience.
The two learners were chosen among a large number of entrants and were joined on the trip by Dr Mariëtte Wheeler, a National Teaching Award winner in 2021, top 10 finalist for the Varkey Foundations’ 2023 Global Teacher Prize, and now curriculum planner for Marine Sciences and the Agricultural subjects in the Western Cape Education Department (WCED).
“I am thrilled to share that on the final evening of the voyage, Aimeè was selected as the top student of SEAmester 2024. She is interested in marine engineering and enjoyed engaging with the ship’s crew and engineers on how the systems on the ship work.
“Akhona, 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. The lecturers, scientists, and crew on board commended both learners on their participation and skills,” Maynier said.
He said this achievement was even more impressive by the fact that the majority of participants were postgraduate students.
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.
“SEAmester was a 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. I met so many awesome people on SEAmester that I appreciate and learned from. Being on the ship itself was definitely the highlight - just getting to appreciate nature,” Stollie said.
Zondo explained she appreciated the networking opportunities the voyage afforded her.
“SEAmester was a transformative experience that has allowed me to network with experts in the field, amazing students, and a caring crew. After the voyage, I can now say that I have finally found my feet within the marine sciences field and I am certain about my future aspiration. I can proudly say that barriers of poverty and lack of access to this esteemed subject will be broken within my community,” she said.
Wheeler said this type of trip for learners taking marine sciences was important.
“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.
robin.francke@iol.co.za
IOL