It is truly a passion of ALSA (Antarctic Legacy of South Africa) to promote South Africa’s scientific involvement in the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic regions (Antarctica, the African Sector of the Southern Ocean and the sub-Antarctic Prince Edward, Marion and Gough Islands). The ground-breaking science that is conducted in these regions is worth sharing to the public. We need to be able to communicate our science to the public in such a way that it is interesting and understandable. We also want to share more about the people behind the science (social sciences).
We are using three main tactics in order to create Antarctic awareness: face-to-face interaction, printed materials (in the form of pamphlets, activity booklets, bookmarks, etc.) and social media (Twitter and Facebook). ALSA is trying to reach as many educational environments (schools, science festivals, etc.) as well as cultural environments (libraries, social groups and organisations) as possible. These visits are so far mainly conducted in the Western Cape due to logistics; however we envisage to expand these visits to the rest of the country in 2017.
On the 9 September 2016, we had the opportunity to engage with 35 teenagers (Gr. 7 – 11) at the multifunctional community centre in Kayamandi – The Legacy Centre. The Legacy Centre is a non-profit organisation run by Stellenbosch Gemeente and built in collaboration with Stellenbosch Municipality. The Legacy Centre focuses on childhood & skills development, heath care and food security. I spent some time with these children and explained the role of research in the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic regions. I explained that the majority of the research focuses on predicting and preventing the possible effects of climate change.
ALSA would like to thank Louise Fourie and Khanyisa Mgudlwa, facilitators at the Legacy Centre for accommodating us on a busy Friday afternoon.
Read more about the Kayamandi Legacy Centre.
Please contact us if you would like ALSA to visit you.
Anché Louw, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, 16 September 2016