Learners step into ‘a bug’s life’…
Apart from providing a valuable learning experience, the excitement of a school outing makes the exercise worthwhile for learners and for teachers.
Capulum College learners enjoy regular outings as well as on-campus, fun-filled practical events.
A trip to the KwaZulu-Natal Museum saw the college learners step into ‘a bug’s life’ when they visited the recently launched Invertebrates Gallery. Here they learnt that invertebrates were animals, such as spiders, insects and worms, without a backbone or bony skeleton. That they range in size from very tiny mites and almost invisible flies to giant squid with soccer-ball-size eyes. Do you know that invertebrates make up 97% of all animals which means they are the largest group in the animal kingdom? More than one million species of invertebrates have been identified.
Capulum College learner Yolan was interested in the history highlighted in the museum. “The museum was the best place to go,” he said, “because we saw how people lived in the olden days.”
It was the killer whale and the dolphin that fascinated Micayla and her friend Lethu, who said, “I was so grateful, it was a day I shall never forget”.
Bukho noted many aspects of the museum including how water pollution was affecting sea life, that the cheetah was the fastest land animal, that primates were the most intelligent mammals and that women were given the vote in 1920.
These educational outings offer invaluable benefits to learners of all ages because they –
- provide a real-world situation to classroom learning,
- help learners grasp abstract concepts in a clear way,
- stimulate curiosity, which arouses a love for learning beyond textbooks,
- enhance social and emotional development by promoting teamwork and communication skills, while also encouraging cultural appreciation and diversity awareness.
Field trips and excursions expose students to new environments, broadening their horizons and promoting personal growth. They can inspire career interests and provide practical insights into various professions. Overall, educational outings enrich education by making learning engaging, memorable and meaningful.
KwaZulu-Natal Museum details: 237 Jabu Ndlovu Street/ Opening times: Monday to Friday – 9:00 to 16:00, Saturdays – 9:00 to 16:00, Sundays – 10:00 to 15:00/ Entrance: Adults (over 17 years) R 20.00, Children (4-17 years) R 10.00, School Learners on tour R 3.00 per child, Pensioners & toddlers Free/Phone: 033 345 1404