Team Thom

From classroom to field! SAEON Grasslands Node team facilitated a Grade 9 Science Camp from 30 Sept–2 Oct at Bonamanzi Game Reserve, Hluhluwe. Learners explored the scientific method through hands-on activities, investigating transpiration, animal signs, and different ecosystems. They also gained practical experience using camera traps to monitor wildlife and collecting plant transpiration data. @dstigovza @NRF_News

A warm welcome to SAEON's new Managing Director, Dr Ashley Naidoo. We look forward to an exciting new chapter of leadership, collaboration and continued impact in environmental observation and research. @dstigovza @NRF_News

Egagasini Node and SAPRI participated in the SANSA Open Day to engage visitors in discussions about the deep interconnectedness between people and the environment and the importance of understanding and protecting the systems that sustain us. @dstigovza @NRF_News @SANSA7

South Africa’s marine biodiversity extends well beyond whales, sharks, and reef fish. A new book chapter brings together decades of taxonomic research, with 22 openly accessible species lists covering 11 marine phyla. It also highlights gaps in our knowledge, including poorly sampled deep-sea habitats and a shortage of taxonomic specialists. Knowing which species live in our waters is essential for conservation and tracking environmental change. Read more: enews.saeon.ac.za/decades-of… @dstigovza @NRF_News @SANCORcommunity @UNOceanDecade

📢New publication - Advancing our knowledge of South Africa's marine benthic biodiversity A newly published review, led by SAEON Egagasini researchers Dr Lara Atkinson and Dr Kathryn Morrissey, provides the first comprehensive update in 16 years on the state of knowledge of South Africa's marine benthic invertebrates. The review brings together the expertise of taxonomists and marine biodiversity specialists from across the country and further afield to synthesise progress in taxonomy, species discovery, and molecular approaches across 11 major marine invertebrate phyla. Since the previous estimates, more than 1,000 additional marine benthic invertebrate species records have been added to South Africa's fauna, demonstrating both the richness of our marine ecosystems and the importance of sustained taxonomic research. Read the review here: authors.elsevier.com/a/1nWHu… To maximise the accessibility and long-term value of this work, the publication is accompanied by 22 openly accessible digital species checklists spanning the 11 phyla. #NRF #DSTI

In celebration of the 2026 National Science Month, 8 July marks the start of a collaborative workshop co-designed by NRF-SAEON Egagasini Node, CPUT WIL students, and the Small-scale Fishing Cooperatives of Plettenberg Bay, taking place at the New Horizon Community Hall. @dstigovza @NRF_News

The Grasslands Node team successfully facilitated a Grade 11 Science Camp from 1-3 July 2026 at Bonamanzi Game Reserve. Throughout the week, learners engaged in an integrated, hands-on programme exploring concepts across physics, chemistry, and life sciences. The camp ended with learners designing and presenting their own research proposals, showcasing the knowledge and skills they had developed. It was a powerful week of discovery, inquiry, and real-world scientific exploration. @dstigovza @NRF_News

NRF-SAEON’s Dr Lara Atkinson was nominated as a global expert to co-author a subchapter on Marine Benthic Invertebrates for the Third World Ocean Assessment (WOA III), the most comprehensive evaluation of ocean health ever undertaken by the United Nations. It was launched publicly on 08 June 2026, World Ocean Day. Dr Atkinson was the only representative selected from the NRF to participate in this global scientific assessment process, reflecting the high regard in which her expertise is held by the international ocean science community. @dstigovza @NRF_News

SAEON Egagasini Node celebrated Youth Day by remembering inspirational moments from school. @dstigovza @NRF_News @sapri_dsti

Grasslands Node Drone team setting up systems in preparation for upcoming field campaign, pilots Ammera and Londiwe with project leader Michele. @NRF_News @dstigovza

Arid Lands Node 2026 Grade 9 Science Camp was designed to immerse learners in the practical application of scientific inquiry, environmental stewardship, and career exploration. By balancing theoretical instruction with hands-on field experience, the program transitioned the group from passive learners into active environmental investigators. @dstigovza @NRF_News

During their job shadowing experience, learners had the opportunity to observe marine technicians and marine biologists conducting fieldwork and collecting scientific data. The hands-on experience provided valuable insight into marine research careers and the important role science plays in understanding and protecting our oceans. @dstigovza @NRF_News #MarineScience #OceanResearch #STEMEducation #JobShadowing #FutureScientists #OceanStewardship

Step into the world of science at the #NSM launch with the NRF-SAEON exhibition! Learners are exploring a live weather station with real-time weather data, discovering microscopic wonders, visiting SAEON sites through our green screen, diving beneath the ocean with our VR experience, and enjoying interactive marine games on the SAEON e-learning platform. #DSTI @dstigovza @NRF_News