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:

1. Life onboard vessels
2. Cargo carried by ships
3. Trading patterns
4. Geography

Goals

1. Highlight the importance of the contributions seafarers and shipping companies make to the world and society
2. Enhance students’ knowledge about seafarers, ships, shipping, geography, culture and commerce
3. Offering opportunities to the young generation to pursue a maritime career

Program's Guide (English / Greek)

How to enroll:

1. Shipping Companies
2. Schools

Material for Classroom

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, Poland 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

2020: The "Adopt a Ship" program is successfully running in 33 classes of 16 elementary schools, with 26 vessels from 14 Greek Shipping Companies.