Kids take a trip back in time at Maropeng Visitor Centre
Prehistoric humans, fossils and a glimpse of what the Earth looked like thousands of years ago kept the learners of Hoërskool Erasmus in Bronkhorstspruit enthralled when they recently toured the Maropeng Visitor Centre.
Maropeng, in the heart of the Cradle of Humankind, offers exciting tours and accommodation for learners all ages. Each guided tour at the visitor centre takes about an hour to complete and can accommodate groups of up to 35 children.
The learners of Hoërskool Erasmus began their journey of discovery of the origins of humankind with an introduction to Maropeng, and its major themes of evolution, diversity, sustainability and the unique characteristics of being human.
They then descended into the depths of the Earth, taking a boat ride back in time through the four elements – earth, air, fire and water – before entering a swirling vortex and emerging in front of planet Earth, projected on a giant globe. Here they could see the continents, as we know them today, came to be.
Next they enjoyed the large interactive zone where some of the science relating to the study of evolution, including the formation of fossils, DNA and life on Earth, was demonstrated in fun, giant displays. The next section highlighted various species in hominid evolution, including our earliest relations. The tour ends with an original fossil display.
“It is always exciting to have learners in our visitor centre,” says Magel van de Venter, customer relationship manager at Maropeng. “To see them enjoying the interactive display and being intrigued by the fossils is great fun.”
Maropeng is a stone’s throw from the Sterkfontein Caves and schools can book a Maropeng tour, which covers the visitor centre as well as the caves. These tours can also be booked separately, but the combination tour is at a discounted rate.
“It’s great to know that these learners walk away with a richer understanding of our past. I know that our next generation of young palaeo-scientists will come from these school tour groups and it encourages me to see them leaving our centre feeling proud and inspired and, above all, having had lots of fun,” concludes Van de Venter.
Hoërskool Erasmus educator Merentia Johnson says she brings her Grade 10 class to Maropeng every year. “I use the resource pack in life sciences; it is very useful,” she adds.
The resource pack is based on the school curriculum. It is filled with fascinating and practical educational material such as worksheets and suggested activities. Educators are also able to prepare learners before they visit the Cradle of Humankind, and give them follow-up assignments.