The Dyer Island Conservation Trust Marine Month competition has become an eagerly anticipated event for Overstrand schoolchildren aged 7 to 14. They enter not only for a chance to win a Marine Dynamics Marine Safari but also to let their creativity shine, inspired by the beauty of our oceans! This was the 8th year the schools competition took place, raising awareness about marine and coastal environments and promoting the sustainable use and conservation of these resources for the benefit of present and future generations.
This year, DICT introduced three different categories.
Learners aged 7–14 were tasked with creating a seal, shark, whale, dolphin, or penguin using recycled materials or by drawing an A4 image of one of these animals and “coloring” it in with scrap paper, crayons, markers, paint, pen, or pencil—any medium available to them.
Learners aged 11–14 were invited to submit drawings illustrating how their family or community benefits from the oceans, whether through tourism, relaxation, family activities, fishing for food, foraging, fresh air, or ecotourism activities such as whale watching and shark diving. BE CREATIVE, GO WILD.
“The entries were amazing this year,” says Pinkey Ngewu, Head of Education at the Dyer Island Conservation Trust, “and it was a really difficult task to choose winners in the three categories.”
Learners, teachers, and parents gathered at the Great White House on Saturday, November 9, for a Marine Big 5 Sea Safari. Despite some rain, everyone enjoyed the excursion, as well as the hearty soup and bread afterwards!
Following the excursion, everyone gathered at the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary to view the learners’ art exhibition and announce the winners.
We look forward to an even bigger competition next year! Overstrand schools requesting more information about the Marine Month Competition are welcome to email Pinkey at office@dict.org.za.
