EDUCATION PROGRAMMES Kelp, Marine Wilderness, Shark and Surfing Lessons. Photos: Ken Eaton, Jenni Courtney & Terry Corr.  For more info see the Education work page or contact me:  079 253 8045      mcarnegie@telkomsa.net     K.E.L.P.  -  Kelp Environmental Learning Project - R750 The KELP lesson is about 3 hours and can be adapted to suit various groups. It can be done at the Cape Point Reserve or any suitable venue including children's parties. Feedback from mum of 7+1 - Kelp homeschool outing PAINT YOUR OWN KELP VUVUZELA   1   Introduction - About 20 mins a) Show finished Vuvuzela examples. Info about the KELP project. b) Brief history of kelp horns and vuvuzelas c) Movie about life in the Kelp forests - 10 mins   2   Beach Outing - About 45 Mins a) Rock pool lesson about basic creatures and their links to kelp and sharks. b) Learn about kelp and life in the kelp forests.     c) Check life in the holdfasts of freshly washed up kelp.     d) Learn about creatures on the high shore and the life cycles involving kelp.     e) Collect suitable kelp pieces from which to make vuvuzelas.   3   Painting exercise - About 45 Mins       a) Cut kelp pieces to suitable shape.     b) Paint vuvuzela       2   Conclusion - 15 Mins       a) Briefly go over what has been learned about Kelp and what we can do to help marine wildlife.     b) Vuvu blowing contest. MARINE WILDERNESS OUTING - R750 Outings can be done to the Cape Point Reserve where people can do the Kelp or Shark lesson at the education centre. This can also include a hike along the coast with real wilderness trail qualities.   5 June 2010 - World Environment Day - Cape Point Earthchild Outing 16 and 28 June 2010 - Spier Wines Cape Point Outings 16 Dec 2010 - Shipwreck trail - Ikamva Cape Point Outing     CAPE POINT MARINE WILDERNESS OUTING   1   Wilderness Hike -  About 2.5 Hours 4 km walk from Gifkommetjie to Platboom along the Atlantic where the rock pool life, kelp forests, windfall kelp, birds and wildlife can be explored in a remote beautiful wilderness setting (This section can be shortened or omitted if necessary) 2.5 hours. The trail can be done in other sections of the reserve as requested eg Shipwreck Trail.   2   The group travels to Bordjiesrif on the False Bay side. Here a rock pool, shark or kelp lesson can be done at the education centre. PAINT YOUR OWN VUVUZELA - See the Kelp Environmental Learning Project lesson above. BASIC SHARK PROGRAMME - See the Save Our Seas Shark Centre programme below. 1 to 2 hours as requested (Lessons can be adapted as required)   3   Once the lesson is completed the group can enjoy the tidal pool, rock pools, beach, braai facilities etc Cape Point is not far off for those wishing to visit the point itself. For more information see the Marine Wilderness page SHARK LESSON - R750 The shark lesson programme is about three hours and is suitable for school groups of different ages. I can adapt the basic programme and have catered for a variety of groups including student teachers over the past three years. Lessons can also be adapted for birthday parties. Lessons can be done in the Cape point Reserve or at suitable venues Feedback from a mother of 8 - Homeschool Shark Lesson   1   Shark lesson - About 30 mins. This is a basic lesson which is adapted to suit different ages and backgrounds. a) What is a shark - Difference between sharks and bony fishes. b) Importance of sharks - Importance in the food chain as apex predators c) History of sharks d) Threats to sharks - Overfishing and environmental degradation. e) Truth about sharks - Shark diversity. Large percentage of harmless species. f) Safety and sharks g) What can we do to help shark conservation?   2   Rock Pool lesson - About 45 mins (Touch pools when conditions are unsuitable) a) Kids learn about basic rock pool life - Care of creatures is emphasized. b) food web - Importance of small creatures in the food chain. c) Safety on the rocks and shore. d) Tides and Rocky shore Zones. e) Free to explore f) What can we do to help marine life?   3   Movie about Sharks - 20 mins + a) Maxines Journey -  Movie about Ragged tooth shark Maxine's release from Two Oceans Aquarium.     SURFING WILDLIFE EDUCATION I have developed some ideas for doing education classes with surfers, lifeguards etc and have been doing lessons with various groups. Lessons can be about sharks, kelp, marine wilderness (as above) or a combination of all. The lessons can take place  together with clean-ups, surfing lessons or reserve outings and are based around the idea of encouraging a respect for nature as part of the surfing lifestyle. I helped at a surf school arranged by Glen Bee where I assisted with surfing lessons and did a rock pool and Kelp lesson. Report below. Surf School Day 1 and 2 (Thurs 24 and Fri 25 June 2010) Surf School Day 3 (Sat 26 June 2010) The past few months I have been working with Tim Conibear and Isiqalo to develop environmental lessons linked to surfing lessons for kids from Masiphumelele.