Adopt a Ship, Hellas by PROJECT CONNECT
Bridging education to the industry and opening new horizons.
Description
Since the school year 2018-2019 with the authorization from the Hellenic Ministry of Education, we have introduced and continue to manage the instilling of maritime culture & orientation in the Hellenic primary & secondary school system nationwide and abroad, via an efficient and effective teaching tool named Adopt a Ship.
The “Adopt a Ship” program connects primary, junior high and vocational school pupils with Captains, aiming to educate youngsters about the seafaring profession and the maritime sector. This innovative program involves the adoption of a vessel by a school class for one academic year. Throughout this period, pupils communicate with the Captain and crew weekly and gain first-hand knowledge of life at sea by sharing their experiences. Students and their teachers get the opportunity to "travel" with the crew by tracking their voyage on a world map, learn about different cultures and engage in various interactive learning activities.
Subject Areas
The program is addressed to primary school (second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth grades), to junior high school (first, second and third grades) and to vocational nautical school and is introduced in the context of different courses (e.g. history, geography, English, literature, music), aiming to inform students about:
- Life onboard vessels
- Cargo carried by ships
- Commerce and trade
- 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
- Offer opportunities to the young generation to pursue a maritime career
How to enroll:
- Shipping Companies:
Fill out this form for Vessel Enrollment
& this form for Membership - Schools:
Fill out this form for School Application
Classroom Materials
Every classroom receives: Vessels Info Book, Nautical Route Map, Captain's Hat, Online Maritime Museum
2006: The “Adopt a Ship” program is initiated by the Cyprus Shipping Chamber (CSI) and the Cyprus Maritime Environmental Protection Association(CYMEPA)
2017: The program expands to the Philippines, Poland and India
2018: PROJECT CONNECT establishes “Adopt a Ship” in the world’s largest ship-owning nation, Greece, and receives authorization from the Hellenic Ministry of Education, Research and Religious Affairs and the Hellenic Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy
2019: Project Connect and Life at Sea join forces to promote social inclusion and increase awareness on human health and wellbeing onboard vessels
2019-2020: The "Adopt a Ship" program is successfully running in 32 classes of 15 primary schools, with 26 vessels from 13 Greek Shipping Companies.
2020-2021: The "Adopt a Ship" Program is running its third school year with Panhellenic coverage. On board are 57 classes of 33 Elementary Schools with 34 vessels from 19 Greek Shipping Companies.
2021-2022: The "Adopt a Ship" Program is running its forth school year with Panhellenic coverage. On board are 141 classes of 66 Elementary & Jr High Schools with 94 vessels from 44 Greek Shipping Companies.
2022-2023: The "Adopt a Ship" Program is running its fifth school year with Panhellenic coverage. On board are 165 classes of 83 Elementary, Jr High and vocational schools with 112 vessels from 48 Greek Shipping Companies.
2023-2024: The "Adopt a Ship" Program is running its sixth school year with Panhellenic coverage. On board are 168 classes of 102 Elementary, Jr High and vocational schools with 124 vessels from 48 Greek Shipping Companies. Also, it goes to Florida, USA (Plato Academy Schools) & participates ELEPAP, the oldest non-profit charity organization for the Rehabilitation for the Disabled.
2024-2025: The "Adopt a Ship" Program continues its journey for the seventh school year, on board 238 classes of 142 Elementary, Jr High and vocational schools with 170 vessels from 48 Greek Shipping Companies. The correspondence this year between schools and vessels has been 780 letters up to March, engaging 4506 students and 215 teachers.
Tο φυλάττειν τα αγαθά χαλεπώτερον του κτήσασθαι - Δημοσθένης
"To filatin ta agatha halepoteron tou ktisasthe - Demosthenes"
It is more difficult to sustain than to build - Demosthenes
Τη σχολική χρονιά 2023-24 είχαμε τη χαρά να καλωσορίσουμε στην οικογένεια του Adopt a Ship τα γενναία παιδιά της ΕΛΕΠΑΠ!
MV ATHINA II, interior of the vessel. Compliments of Chronos Shipping, Project Connect Adopt a Ship member
Books to read
A History of a Greek-Owned Shipping" by Gelina Harlaftis
We are pleased to announce that effective February 11th 2022 Adopt a Ship is under the auspices of the General Secretariat for Demographic and Family Policy and Gender Equality.
Participating primary, secondary, & vocational nautical (EPAL) Schools in areas such as:
Agia Paraskevi, Agia Varvara, Agios Germanos Prespon, Agios Nikolaos Crete, Aifidnes, Alexandroupoli,Alimos, Amaliada, Ampelokipi, Andros, Anixi, Artemida, Aspropyrgos, Astypalea, Athens, Chalandri, Chalkida, Chania, Chios, Davlia Viotias, Didimoticho, Elafonisos, Elefsina, Elliniko, Evoia, Farsala, Florina, Foinikas Salaminas, Galaxidi, Glyfada, Hersonisos, Hydra, Ierapetra, Ilion, Ilioupoli, Ioannina, Iraklio Crete, Ithaki, Kesariani, Kalabaka, Kalamata, Kallithea, Kalymnos, Kantza, Kardamyla, Karla Kanalia Magnesias, Kasos, Kastoria, Kea, Kefalonia, Keratsini, Kerkyra, Kiato, Kifisia, Korinthos, Koropi, Korydallos, Kos, Kozani, Kymi, Lamia, Larisa, Lakonia, Larymna, Lasithi, Loutraki, Magoula, Marousi, Messinia, Milos, Mykonos, Nafpaktos, Naousa Parou, Nea Erythraia, Nea Ionia Magnesias, Nea Moudania, Neapoli Lasithiou, Nikea, Oinousses, Oraiokastro, Pagrati, Pallini, Paloukia Salaminas, Papagou, Paralia Tyrou Arcadias, Paros, Patisia, Patmos, Patra, Pefki, Perama, Peristeri, Petroupoli, Pilea, Piraeus, Preveza, Psara, Psychiko, Ptolemaida, Rodos, Samos, Selinia Salaminas, Serres, Sparti, Spata, Spetses, Stamata, Stavroupoli, Syros, Thermi, Thessaloniki, Tinos, Trikala, Tyrnavos, Vari, Variko Amyntaiou, Voion Lakonias, Volos, Voula, Vouliagmeni, Vrontadou Chios & Vyronas.
We have also travelled abroad to USA: New York, Florida
Schools & Vessels Communications AaS School Year 2020-21
6d grade of Psychicko College to Cpt and crew of M/T SKYPOWER Cpt of MV Delta to 4c grade of Athens CollegeAaS Video 2019-20 - Teachers' Testimonials
"Amazing!!! Very good job as expected with such a good organization and communication we have, with the PROJECT CONNECT team."Vasiliki Barkozi, Teacher/School Manager @ 2nd Primary School of Nikaia, Piraeus
Both teachers liked the program, The School Manager, Ms Martinos, saw it and described it as excellent.
Ioanna Athanassopoulou & Magda Kosta, Teachers @ 11th Primary School of Piraeus
"Very descent!! I have shown is to the students and they loved it! I am eager to begin the AaS program on Jan 2021!"
