Founded in June 2019, Guardians of the Deep runs our Environmental Education Programmes which include the Guardians Curriculum and the Chacma Champions Holiday Programme. Through MasiCORP, we are running the Guardians of the Deep curriculum for students from Ukhanyo Primary and Masiphumelele High schools, and hosting, at our office, a small group of students from Mutheera’s Projects in Ocean View. Partnering with Surf Outreach in Muizenberg, we introduced the world beneath the waves to the surfers that ride them. Teaming up with Strandfontein Sea Rescue would empower the kids to combine local knowledge and practical experience with research and conservation to enhance their skill set, discover opportunities and broaden their future horizons (sadly this aspect of the programme was not fulfilled due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic). Blending science, art and storytelling, the students are empowered to explore the ocean from its multi-coloured rock pools to its darkest depths while learning about the lives of the uniquely awesome creatures making it their home. Through this exploration and discovery, students realise the importance of the environment and how our choices are key in bringing about the change much-needed to conserve the natural world.
The Guardians Curriculum offers a two year/eight term curriculum for each age group. These groups include the SeaStars (Grades 4 and 5), Raggies (Grades 6 and 7) and Orcas (Grades 8 and 9). Topics covered range from learning more about the scientific method by carrying out your own rocky shore experiment to exploring the depths of the ocean by studying the different ocean zones. From how to successfully coexist with the ocean and its creatures, by discovering and visiting cool local organisations such as the Shark Spotters, to designing your own super marine animal while learning about the awesome creatures that make this watery world their own. We also introduce the students to some of the very cool research being carried out in South African waters and encourage them to uncover and galvanise the power of our everyday choices. We have now expanded our programme to include Grades 1-3 as our Blues Crew (named after juvenile African penguins) who will be introduced to the ocean environment through field trips and activities.
“Our earth is our home, if we want to protect our home we should protect our environment from harmful effects of human activity. It is from the environment itself that we get the benefits of natural resources such as land, water and air. Our life depends on so many non-living components. It is our duty to save our environment” – Asive Myeki (MasiCORP Student)
Each term includes field trips that link to the topic being studied. These vary from beach clean-ups and art sessions to aquarium visits and rocky shore exploration. When available we also invite guest speakers to chat to the kids about their initiatives, to show that anyone is able to make a difference and to expose them to the great groundswell of positive change that is currently moving through society and shifting perceptions. We are even able to link up with, and chat to (via Skype), researchers, conservationists and filmmakers from across the world.
Ocean View SeaStars – Assisted Reading Group
Communication is so important to convey feelings, experiences and information, and this can be done through storytelling, writing and reading. To not be able to communicate in one of those ways means that you could miss out on some really awesome things. We have initiated an Assisted Reading Group where the Ocean View SeaStars help others to experience the ocean, to peer beneath her waves and to discover the magic in nature, through those three types of communication. Paired reading allows for one-on-one attention at the pace of the student. Each pair then reports back to the group about their book; what it’s about, what they have learnt and what they have enjoyed. They also get to make their own pack of ocean-themed flash cards to familiarise themselves with marine species and terms.
