2012
From an Educational perspective Explore4Knowledge has been super busy before John’s departure to Marion Island in April, though with him there it does not stop he will be sending information to various NGO’s when he is able to and conducting telephonic interviews with various institutions and organisations when possible and if the connectivity allows.
Though before his departure he was not only able to meet with scholars and be the guest speaker at Academic Evenings as well as National Events for NGO’s, he was also able to be the scholar as he met with world leading business men and various other prominent figures both national and internationally.
As for speaking events John was able to address 200 individuals from the Western Cape division of the South African Scouting Association at their annual BP Sunday Event with a speech entitled, “Changing the World one Friend at a Time” 19 February.
On the 20th February the Nature Conservation Department of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology was addressed about “Conservation and Preparing themselves for the Future”.
On the 23rd February 4-5 year olds from the Children’s World School in Durbanville attended a class based upon sensory stimulation and learning about the Big 5 and South Africa.
The 28 February, saw us attending Fairmont High Schools Academic and University Evening. John Lucas was the guest speaker and was given the opportunity to address the grade 11 and 12 students their parents and the representatives from UCT, Stellenbosch, UWC and CPUT a total of 800 listeners. The topic of the evening was “Time your greatest Commodity”.
20 March, the Fairmont High School Biology and Science Department invited Explore4Knowledge and John Lucas to address their Grade 11 and 12 students on studying science and the career paths available in the scientific and biological field.
The 17, 19, 21 March found John Lucas in Simons Town as the guest speaker on the three grade 8 Camps organised by Fairmont High School for their scholars. The talks given on each camp revolved around salt and pepper and how these elements we add to food define the foods flavour. In the same way the things we add to our lives define us and “flavour” us in the eyes of others. The talk was well received and of the students’ parents I bumped into at the Getaway Show a few weeks later chatted to me about the talks given on the camps.
2011
During 2010 the idea came about to develop a true representation of a full water cycle made from recycled materials. The idea would be to inspire other teachers to use make similar educational tools from scraps around the school. The project took 6 months to complete working on it during the evenings and developing an educational hand book to go with the model. This model was used during education programs and due to its size was able to be placed perfectly into the back of the Ford Ranger. This lead to the use of the structure as a mobile “educational centre” and during 2011 the model was altered so as to be able to be mounted in the vehicle for long distance travel over varying terrain. This structure will be put to use during 2012 for the International Wetlands Week presentations planned by Explore4Knowledge during 2012.
Furthermore during 2011 the members and students of the NGO Real Start were addressed in George on the topic of “living life passionately to your full potential”. This presentation was well received and founder of Real Start was pleased with the outcome and challenge in mind sets it encouraged. From February to September time was spent working alongside members of a George based NGO called Men on the Side of the Road (MSRoad) and the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU). The outcome of the project was to develop a self-sustaining vegetable garden for the members of MSRoad to be able to take food home even if they did not get pay for the day’s work. This project saw the construction of a vegetable garden/ permaculture system, nursery as well as a composting system. The project came to a close in September due to the university academics though all the construction and planting was completed the crops were not yet ready to be harvested when we left though the NMMU have committed to continue the project in 2012.
Explore4Knowledgewas also able to spend time with the owners of the Donkey Trail and hiked the route with them discussing various education methods as well as the outcomes achieved by them with the locals in the area.
2003-2010
During this time John Lucas has been involved with various Environmental Education and Youth Development Projects across South Africa. These events took place in the form of camps, expedition weekends and being a guest speaking at various workshop and presentations pertaining to the Environment as well as Life and Leadership Development through various NGO’s, school and tertiary institutions.
Knowledge as well as interactive footage obtained in the field has enabled numerous classes to be addressed in a unique and dynamic manner. The students which have been addressed are children of various ages and from within a varying socio-economic setting.
During 2010 specifically John Lucas worked alongside members of the South African Scouting Association (SASA) to develop Environmental Education Programmes aimed at meeting the criteria for Interest Badges as well as the Advancement Levels for Cubs and Scouts. These programmes were piloted within the Table Bay District and were found to be successful. A total of 132 cubs were reached of which 90 male and 23 female, many of the cubs were able to be seen for a follow up test and it was found that the knowledge was retained.
