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SAEON scientist inspires marine and coastal educators
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- By Sibongile Mokoena, SAEON’s Education Outreach
Coordinator
The SAEON Science Outreach Programme lived up to its mandate of taking science to society at the Marine and Coastal Educators Network (MCEN) Conference held in East London last month.
Dr Juliet Hermes, Manager of the SAEON Egagasini Node, stole the hearts of the educators with her presentation on oceans and climate change.
Juliet’s presentation gave an insight into the ocean currents; how these play an important role in transporting heat around the globe and how they influence our weather and climate patterns. The delegates expressed their appreciation and said they understood a lot more about the amazing science of the oceans.
The MCEN Conference programme was of a high standard. The mornings were dedicated to presentations of papers followed by demonstrations of hands-on activities where delegates demonstrated the different approaches that they have used in their programmes. The presentations are an important part of learning and sharing among the educators.
The afternoon sessions were used for field trips. The outings included a visit to the East London Museum, a ride on a tug-boat and kayaking. The Potjiekos Competition turned out to be a great team-building exercise.
The SAEON team played an active role in the conference programme.
Dumile Tshingana, Education Officer of the SAEON Elwandle Node together with a team of the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) performed a well-researched and entertaining drama bringing across the strong message that the Earth’s climate is changing under the influence of anthropogenic activities. The drama, which is primarily intended for schools, is aimed at communicating the local impacts of global warming on the environment and on livelihoods.
Committed to excellence
Sharing her impressions of the Conference, Dr Juliet Hermes said, "I have not been to an MCEN conference before and was amazed at how passionate and devoted these people are to their work and how they made me feel welcome. The presentations were of excellent quality, better than many I have seen at international scientific conferences, even though it was the first time for some of the presenters."
Dumile Tshingana remarked that MCEN has become “a platform for SAEON to share and receive ideas to teach and inspire many South Africans who will move forward, work toward marine conservation and strengthen this network of marine educators. At MCEN, among that group of intensely passionate, committed people, I once again became aware of my passion for what I do. I also realised anew my love for teaching, my need to convey marine science and long-term ecological research to the communities, and the joy I find in outreach”.
Thomas Mtontsi, the newly appointed Education Outreach Officer for SAEON Egagasini Node, is no stranger to MCEN. After the Conference he said: “I feel that SAEON has become a force to be reckoned with as far as its contribution to the Conference is concerned. The increase in the number of SAEON members affiliated to MCEN means a mightier impact by SAEON in our endeavours to change our society into a knowledge society.”
Platform for marine and coastal educators
MCEN remains a valuable platform for marine and coastal educators to get together, share, learn from one another and chart a vision of where marine and coastal education should be heading in order to play a meaningful role in education.
SAEON scientists were applauded, and encouraged to continue making a contribution to the science outreach platforms. By sharing knowledge on long-term Earth observation sciences, our scientists will hopefully motivate, excite and attract young people into the environmental sciences.
