National Youth Service (NYS) visits the South African Museum and Planetarium Article and photos by AB S.C Chengan Enquiries: 021 787 4697

The NYS at SAS SALDANHA visited the Cape Town Museum and Planetarium on the 08 October 2012 in an effort to learn more about their country and its heritage. Learners walked around and admired the fossils and many other items on display.

Learners reading about the history of Dinosaurs

Management of the NYS have scheduled a number of excursions for the duration of their training. It has been structured in such a way that the learners will be exposed to places of significance to teach them more about their roots.

One of this included a visit to the museum and planetarium in an effort to learn more about their country and its heritage. Many of these learners hail from disadvantaged and underprivileged backgrounds and have never set foot in a museum before.

Learners seated at the Planetarium for a presentation of the stars.	NYS learner admiring the ancient stones.

Learners walked around the museum in amazement. They took photographs of the awesome displays to show to their families back home. Their visit to the planetarium led to much excitement as they were seated for the presentation about the stars. Learners relaxed in their seats and as the lights dimmed they watched the ‘SKY’ above illuminated with stars. They reacted with sighs of amazement as they would to a fireworks display.

On completion of the trip learners relaxed at the gardens and had lunch enjoying the beautiful day. The trip was very educational and the learners enjoyed the new experience. It was indeed a memorable outing for them.