The North-West University (NWU) Water Research Group (WRG) hosted its annual Life Below Water outreach event on Saturday, 11 April 2026, drawing 120 children to the Lekwena Wildlife Estate for a morning of hands-on learning focused on aquatic ecosystems and environmental awareness.
Aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14, the initiative introduced young learners aged four to 12 to the importance of water resources, biodiversity and aquatic health. Participants represented 28 kindergarten and primary schools, including learners from Fochville, Klerksdorp and Carletonville, reflecting the growing reach of the event beyond Potchefstroom.
“This event is about exposing young minds to science in a way that is accessible and engaging,” said Prof. Nico Smit of the WRG. “We want children to understand the value of water ecosystems and to see themselves as future custodians of these natural resources.”
Now in its fifth year in this format, the outreach continues to expand, with a significant number of first-time attendees. The programme was led by staff, postdoctoral fellows and postgraduate students from the Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management at the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences. They were supported by the Zoology honours-degree class of 2026, the Herp Health Lab, honours-degree students from Recreation Sciences, and the Nature-I-Am team.
Children rotated through 12 interactive stations, spending approximately eight minutes at each. The stations combined short lessons with practical demonstrations and games, covering topics such as aquatic biodiversity, fish ecology, water quality and microscopic organisms.
“Our approach is learning through play,” Prof. Smit explained. “By combining scientific content with interactive activities, we make complex concepts easier to grasp and more memorable for young learners.”
The event atmosphere was set early, with face painting activities led by zoology and recreation students, creating excitement among both children and parents before the formal programme began.
Feedback from parents underscored the impact of the event. Many described it as a valuable learning opportunity, noting that children were eager to share their experiences at home. All the parents who completed the post-event questionnaire indicated that they would attend similar NWU outreach events in future.
“The response from both children and parents shows the importance of initiatives like this,” he added. “It is not only about education, but also about building awareness and fostering a sense of responsibility towards the environment.”
When asked to name their favourite activity, children responded unanimously: “All of them.”
The Life Below Water outreach continues to highlight the role of the NWU in community engagement and its commitment to developing environmental awareness among the next generation.
Young learners engage with interactive science stations during the Life Below Water outreach event of the NWU Water Research Group at the Lekwena Wildlife Estate.
