It's that time of year when Grade 9 learners are making some very important decisions, picking high school subjects that could affect their futures! We'd like to remind kids, parents and teachers that there's a new subject choice available for 2022 - Marine Sciences!
High school Marine Sciences is being offered in certain node schools, but it is further available online as an additional CAPS subject under the tutelage of the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation. Here's how Grade 9 learners can apply for the Marines Sciences school subject online for 2022:
Applications and information
Signing up to study Marine Sciences online in 2022 is easy! As part of the school curriculum, your child can take Marine Sciences from Grade 10 through to Matric.
How does taking the subject work?
- Format: Online teaching via Zoom and on the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation online portal.
- Time commitment: Four hours a week, during South African public school terms.
- Times/dates: Online lessons will take place in the afternoons on Tuesday and Thursday.
- Practical learning: Arrangements will be made to do practical learning during South African public school holidays.
- Exams: Any examinations will be written at the learners’ local school or official examination centres.
- Subject registration: Anyone who is interested in signing up for our course must register Marine Sciences as one of their subjects at their school for 2022.
- Start date: 25 January 2022
- Cost: R7 000 for 2022, with inflation-based annual changes expected.
- Adult education: This course is also available to adults and we welcome mature students to sign up. Examinations and assessments will be arranged with each adult participant individually, depending on whether they are interested in pursuing an NSC certificate, or are happy to receive a certificate from the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation.
APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN ON THE AQUARIUM FOUNDATION WEBSITE.
Please email education@aquariumfoundation.org.za for additional information.
About the Marine Sciences Curriculum
Marine Sciences is a relatively new CAPS school subject developed by the Two Oceans Aquarium's education team and first offered in three node schools in the Western Cape in 2019. In 2020 it was recognised as an official school subject and in 2021 was included in the official school curriculum. Since then, a number of students have been receiving tutelage/instruction in the subject, both at the node schools, as well as through the Aquarium Foundation’s online learning programme.
The subject is made up of four pillars: Marine Biology, Oceanography, Ocean Ecosystems, and Humans and the Ocean. The subject is made up of 85 topics including marine phyla, the chemistry of water, gas laws used for diving science, sustainable seafood, aquaculture and marine protected areas (MPAs). The subject is presented over a three years course and counts towards the learners’ matric certificate.
“The new Marine Science subject is an exciting new subject that we have been really excited about launching in South Africa! If you are really passionate about the ocean and life in the ocean, and think that you may want to go into a career involving Marine Biology or Oceanography, then this is one of your steps up to university. Even if you are not aiming for a career in Marine Biology and Oceanography, the content and many academic skills you will learn will also equip you to do well in your tertiary studies in other fields. You will also be a knowledgeable amateur marine biologist, with the ability to identify, to some extent, most organisms that you can expect to see while rock-pooling or snorkelling along the South African coastline,” said Xavier Zylstra, Deputy Head of Education, Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation.
“It should be understood that only half of the subject content of the course is Marine Biology, while there are also components of Physical Science, Geography, Ecology and human impacts on the planet/ocean. Your marine-related knowledge will enable you to make ocean-friendly decisions in a range of fields like maritime economics, environmental law and a broad range of other careers directly or indirectly related to the ocean,” said Mr Zylstra.
