Maropeng educates future leaders about poverty

January 25, 2011

Bianca Bothma

Maropeng, the visitor centre for the Cradle of Humankind, believes in educating humankind about its heritage.

And while it is important to know where we come from, Maropeng also believes that society needs to think critically about the environment and sustainability to conserve our Earth in preparation for the future.

This is why Maropeng, in partnership with the Gauteng and national departments of education, developed a further education and training resource pack targeted at grade 11 and 12 learners but available for anyone to download.

The pack includes lesson plans as well as activities and instructions for educators, all of which build on the learning experience available at the exhibition centre.

The resource pack covers a diverse range of subjects, all of which are vital for the future sustainability of South Africa. These subjects include history, geography, life orientation, life sciences, mathematical literacy, physical sciences, tourism and economics.
 
The economics section of the pack focuses on poverty in the context of South Africa, and encourages learners to question its potential causes, characteristics and solutions. Maropeng believes that it is especially important to educate learners about this issue in a country where 25% of a population almost 50-million strong are unemployed.

Today’s learners are tomorrow’s leaders; Maropeng hopes to get them thinking critically, not just about humankind’s origins, but also about what they can contribute to their communities.

So book your school tour to the Cradle of Humankind, and as you do so, download the resource pack, and make the most of the learning opportunity available at Maropeng – and of South Africa’s future.

School rates for 2011

Educators are urged to book their 2011 school visits to the Cradle of Humankind as soon as possible. The 2011 school rates are:

• Maropeng guided tour – R64 per learner
• Sterkfontein Caves guided tour – R64 per learner
• Combined ticket price for Maropeng and Sterkfontein Caves – R100 per learner

The venue also offers overnight accommodation for up to 120 learners or adults, with separate rooms for teachers or leaders in Hominid House. The 2011 school accommodation rates are:

• Learner accommodation in Hominid House with dinner, bed and breakfast (no lunch included) – R227 per learner per night
• Teacher and driver accommodation in Hominid House with dinner, bed and breakfast (no lunch included) – R167 per person per night, with an extra R50 per lunch pack per person

Call +27 (0)14 577 9000 or email . to book.

Click here to view a photo essay of Hominid House, an establishment where learners can spend a few fun days while they visit the Sterkfontein Caves and the Maropeng Visitor Centre.

 

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