If you have an adventurous spirit, are currently in Grade 11 and you wish to explore a remote part of the world, look no further than the Matrics in Antarctica (MIA) challenge, which takes place next year.
In this annual initiative pioneering explorer Riaan Manser, a resident of Betty’s Bay, will again take five matric learners from across the country on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure to Antarctica.
The five winners will fly out of Cape Town International Airport on an Ultima alusion cargo plane and land six-and-a-half hours later on the massive block of ice that is Antarctica.
The learners will spend their time learning about the Antarctic, doing experiments and clean-ups, but the most exciting task is assisting in a new project of installing a Huawei I-site solar system from ACDC Dynamics as a greener more reliable power source at base camp.
“We are excited to form part of the MIA team and look forward to educating the students on alternative power sources that promote sustainability,” says Llewellyn Warrington, ACDC Dynamics solar category manager.
This year’s MIA programme is open to all 2023 Grade 11 learners in South Africa, with entries closing on Saturday 30 September.
From all entries received the top 100 will be chosen, and they will be narrowed down to the top 50 before the top 10 each undergo an interview with the MIA selection panel. The five winners will be announced on Monday 20 November.
Manser, who has seen the degradation of the planet first-hand in many parts of the world, feels strongly that this programme needs to deliver. “MIA is on a unique mission not only to drive awareness of the effects of climate change, but actually to instil a willingness by role-players to deliver concrete results. This is why it is so important to get the youth, the future leaders of tomorrow, excited about conservation, but also understand that action on their part is what will guarantee a preserved earth.”
So if you have a passion for adventure, conservation and want to explore the beauty that lies in Earth’s southernmost continent, then this is for you. Enter the MIA competition online at www.matricsinantarctica.co.za or send a WhatsApp “MIA” to 063 843 2493.
