Adopt a Ship, Hellas
Description
The “Adopt a Ship” program connects elementary school pupils with seafarers aiming to educate youngsters about the seafaring profession and the maritime sector. This innovative program involves the adoption of a vessel by an elementary school class for one academic year. Throughout this period pupils communicate with the crew weekly and gain a first-hand experience of life at sea by sharing their experiences. Students get the opportunity to travel with the crew by tracking its voyage in a world map and engage in interactive learning activities.
Subject Areas
The program is addressed to fourth, fifth and sixth graders and is introduced in the context of different courses (e.g. history, geography, music) aiming to inform students about:
- Life onboard vessels
- Cargo carried by ships
- Trading patterns
- Geography
Goals
- Highlight the importance of the contributions seafarers and shipping companies make to the world and society
- Enhance students’ knowledge about seafarers, ships, shipping, geography, culture and commerce
- Encourage the young generation to pursue a maritime career
History
2006: The “Adopt a Ship” program is initiated by the Cyprus Shipping Chamber (CSI) and the Cyprus Maritime Environmental Protection (CYMEPA)
2017: The program expands to the Philippines and India
2018: Project CONNECT establishes “Adopt a Ship” to world’s largest ship-owning nation, Greece and receives its authorization from the Hellenic Ministry of Education, Research and Religious Affairs and the Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy
2019: Project Connect and Life at See join forces to promote social inclusion and increase awareness on human health and wellbeing onboard vessels
Tο φυλάττειν τα αγαθά χαλπώτερον του κτήσασθαι
To filtatin ta Agatha xalepoteron tou ktisasthe – Demosthenes
It is more difficult to sustain than to build – Demosthenes