Five matrics will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become “environmental rockstars” when they travel to Antarctica in January 2021. PHOTO: Cassie Matias/Unsplash
A group of five matriculants will get the opportunity to travel to Antarctica to start foregrounding environmental awareness amongst the youth. This is thanks to the partnership between a team of distinguished professors from Stellenbosch University (SU) and Riaan Manser, a pioneering explorer.
The initiative, Matrics in Antarctica, will be led by Manser along with professor Jonathan Jansen, professor Chris Reddy, professor Fadli Wagiet and Delecia Davids from the Faculty of Education at SU.
This is an opportunity for the current younger generation to get exposure to the continent and to learn about its importance globally, said professor Chris Reddy, from the Faculty of Education at SU. PHOTO: Supplied/Vannesa Marx
“The question we ask the matrics [when they enter] is, ‘what do you think you can do for your own environment, your little town, where you see the environment is being damaged?’,” Manser said.
It is a simple question, but it lays the foundation of a child’s understanding of something as big as global warming and saving the planet, Manser said.
“Education has to include a concern for the environment. We cannot expect people – me and you – to change the world if we are not educated to understand how we can or how we should,” Manser said.
To the future and beyond
Environmental issues and problems are considerable societal issues of the 21st century and the vanguard of resistance to further degradation is to be found in the youth of today, Reddy said.
“The adventure to Antarctica was conceptualized as an opportunity for the younger generation to get exposure to the continent and to learn about its importance globally and how crucial it is in making the earth a living planet – one that can sustain human life,” Reddy said.
The matric students will engage is a variety of activities and experiments before, during and after their visit to Antarctica, he said.
“Activities will include the collection and basic testing of soil and water (ice) samples, recording, interpretation and sharing visuals [and] guided walks along interpretive trails,” Reddy said.
It is imperative that matric students are aware of the environmental problems and issues that society is plagued with when they enter the next phase of their lives, Reddy said.
Riaan Manser has been to Antarctica before and is famous for his World Firsts such as circumnavigating Africa on a bicycle. He will lead the expedition, Matrics in Antarctica. PHOTO: Supplied/Vannesa Marx
According to Manser, they hope that every high school, in South Africa, gets an entry.
“We really want children, country wide, to enter – because that is where the change begins,” Manser said.
The Western Cape Education Department has made science and technology subjects a strategic priority to equip learners for the future, said Debbie Schäfer, the Western Cape Provincial Minister of Education.
“This applies both to the changing environment and to our economy. We need to understand the world we are living in [better] and prepare for what our future world will look like,” Schäfer said.
According to Reddy, new ways of thinking and acting are most likely to emerge from this generation of young people.
“An experience such as this excursion to Antarctica can be an important catalyst for creative thinking towards solutions,” Reddy said.
Five matrics will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore Antarctica and learn about its importance globally. INFOGRAPHIC: Anke Nothnagel