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The Communications Division of the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) in Grahamstown initiated an education outreach programme which saw the refurbishing of an old Toyota Coaster Bus into the Fantastic Fish Tank, a mobile education service.
The major objectives of the outreach programme are to promote an interest and awareness in science, to encourage entry into science at school and tertiary levels, to highlight career opportunities, and to communicate knowledge of fishes and aquatic environments to historically disadvantaged schools and communities.
The Methodist Education Initiative donated the bus (1976 model) to SAIAB and further sponsorship was received from the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) and the Shuttleworth Foundation (TSF) to paint, refurbish and equip the bus. The programme was launched in July 2003 when a group of enthusiastic science educators traveled to previously disadvantaged schools in rural areas around the Eastern Cape.
The 'Fish Tank' received a tremendous response from schools and communities in these sometimes 'forgotten' areas where interactive lessons on basic fish biology, behaviour, aquatic ecosystems and dangers of the ocean were staged in classrooms, playgrounds and open arenas. Other resources such as posters, activity sheets and fact files were distributed to educators for follow-up lessons and activities related to the aquatic environment. These educational resources and activities correspond with the Natural Science learning area in the school curriculum.
Further tours to the Southern and Western Cape and to the Sasol Techno X in Sasolburg saw the old 'Fish Tank' clock up many miles and with the increasing need to create awareness and encourage science education amongst learners throughout the country, the communications division sought to secure a more modern vehicle with storage space and display options, preferably built to specification.
Market Square Volkswagen in Grahamstown generously agreed to partly sponsor a brand new VW LT 46 bus to replace the existing vehicle, designed to our required specifications for storage and transporting of education resources and equipment. The new bus will ensure the development of our outreach programme and assist with plans to reach more extensively into the rural areas of the Eastern Cape, and the other provinces as well.
