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Behind the scenes at the Two Oceans Aquarium lies a world of possibility, not just for visitors but for the next generation of ocean guardians. Welcome to the Aquarium’s Ocean Campus: A dynamic, interactive learning space where marine science leaps off the page and into the hands of curious learners.
Set in the heart of the Two Oceans Aquarium, Ocean Campus classrooms are unlike any other. At the centre of each desk, a miniature ecosystem lies: Urchins, anemones, and sea stars wait to introduce learners to their fascinating world. Passionate educators project the lenses of their microscopes onto screens where the intricacies of an urchin’s tube feet, a sea star’s mouth, or an anemone’s tentacles are displayed. These immersive, curriculum-aligned lessons are carefully tailored to each age group, igniting curiosity and encouraging care.
A legacy of learning
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While the Ocean Campus officially launched in 2024 as part of the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation’s long-standing education programme, the Aquarium has been an educational hub for decades. Since it opened its doors 30 years ago, ocean literacy has been woven into every exhibit, programme, event, and visit.
“When I arrived in 1996, we were receiving up to 15 000 school children a year,” reflects Michael Farquhar, CEO of the Aquarium. “Now, we see 15 000 ECD groups in our Children’s Centre alone and another 45 000 through our classrooms each year. Education is truly at the heart of what we do”.
The Aquarium was instrumental in producing and implementing the national Marine Sciences FET curriculum. This innovative subject for Grades 10 – 12 bridges the gap in marine biology education and prepares learners for meaningful careers in the blue economy.
Bringing the ocean to everyone
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Ocean Campus is designed for an incredible range of learners – toddlers, teenagers, tertiary students, teachers, and even working professionals. Across all ages, each lesson makes the ocean come alive in a whole new way.
This experience isn’t limited to those who can visit the Aquarium. Teachers Anzio and Thabo hit the road in their Smart Living and Oceans in Motion mobile classrooms, ready to spark imaginations and inspire change.
With Teacher Anzio’s tech-savvy science lab, learners explore how electricity is generated, how to calculate their water footprint, and the importance of Cape Town’s unique biodiversity. Meanwhile, Teacher Thabo’s pop-up rock pool gives learners the unforgettable experience of interacting with live sea stars, urchins, and anemones, all securely transported in a one-of-a-kind mobile life support system.
Why ocean literacy matters
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Believe it or not, the ocean is our planet’s lungs, producing nearly half of the world’s oxygen, regulating our climate, and supporting the livelihoods of billions of people. Yet, this blue expanse faces the looming threats of climate change, pollution, and overfishing.
This is where Ocean Campus truly makes waves. By giving learners a first-hand understanding of the ocean’s beauty and vulnerability, the programme transforms theory into a lifetime of care. This translates into everyday choices like refusing single-use plastics, saying no to balloons, or supporting sustainable seafood. Each lesson turns facts into feelings, and feelings into action.
“In Grade 9, I came across an article stating that more than 80% of our ocean species haven’t been discovered yet. This made me realise how much our oceans are neglected in a way – I wanted to be part of the people who will fill in the blanks,” says Andile Ngcongo, a Marine Sciences past pupil currently studying Marine Engineering.
Many past pupils have remarked on having gained a greater appreciation for the ocean and its inhabitants. This appreciation extends to feeling responsible for protecting our ocean spaces, becoming more conscious about their actions, and encouraging others to feel the same way.
The butterfly(fish) effect
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Ocean Campus alumni have gone on to study degrees in marine biology, lead climate action projects, and even join the Aquarium staff as educators, aquarists, and turtle rehabilitators. One lesson may only last a few hours, but its impact lasts a lifetime. For our ocean’s future, that makes all the difference.
With the expansion of facilities in the Aquarium’s 30th year, and the ever-growing reach of mobile and digital classrooms, Ocean Campus is dreaming deeper than ever. When it comes to protecting our oceans and nurturing future generations, the earlier we start, the better!
Visit for more information: https://www.aquarium.co.za/foundation/education/ocean-campus-courses
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