Mohau Centre visits Maropeng
Bianca Bothma
Maropeng is very proud that in the past five years we have welcomed more than 500 000 people to the Cradle of Humankind, who have come to learn about evolution and the history of the Earth.
In December 2010, another 45 children from the Mohau Centre, a children’s home in Atteridgeville, visited as part of the Maropeng Education Programme supported by the Cradle of Humankind Trust.
Mostly between the ages of 7 to 15, the children really enjoyed their time, according to Rocio Herrero Romero, volunteer at the Mohau Centre: “They really enjoyed the experience, even though for some of them the boat ride was a bit scary.
Many of them have never had the opportunity to visit Maropeng and they were really interested in the exhibition. The younger children really enjoyed the interactive elements.”
Dorcas Tshabalala, a Maropeng reservationist for school groups, says that the Mohau Centre children are very bright: “They asked so many questions and they were very impressed by their guide. They couldn’t believe how he could remember all the dates of Earth’s history in the exhibition tour.”
Education has always been a central part of Maropeng’s focus and we hope to share the story of humankind’s origins with more South African children in 2011.
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 info@maropeng.co.za to book.
Educational pack
Educators are reminded that school visits are supplemented by a free-to-download educational pack supplied by Maropeng. The pack – endorsed by the National Department of Education – is integrated with the South African education curriculum, helping learners at any level engage with appropriate content in each of the Maropeng exhibitions and displays.
The packs contain practical educational materials, including worksheets, suggested activities and ideas for follow-up assignments. If anyone would like a free copy of the resource pack please email info@maropeng.co.za
Click here to view a photo essay of Hominid House, where you can book your learners in for a few fun days while they visit the Sterkfontein Caves and Maropeng Visitor Centre.