Adopt a Ship – an exceptional learning tool.
By Irene Notias, Director of Adopt a Ship – Hellas – Project Connect
Greek school teachers using their professional methods have made the Adopt a Ship maritime educational program come alive and kicking, in Greece and parts of USA. Developed and managed by PROJECT CONNECT, its educational team attributes this success story to the teachers efforts and the seafaring captains who share their maritime knowledge and experiences.
More than expected. Phenomenal results.
“Adopt a Ship” is reaping fruit for the Greek shipping industry. Its members and supporters’ investment in the project’s program is truly educating early ages and it shows from the teachers and students’ work in school. It is a wonderful way to instruct kids, interactively within an interdisciplinary method and Adopt a Ship is a great learning tool are the consensus of the 450 teachers involved and surveyed, in the last 8 years.
The Adopt a Ship pupils, throughout their school year, regularly communicate with their adopted vessels and learn geography, English, commerce and trade, the importance of shipping to economies, math, physics, history, their national maritime heritage and much more.
| Impressive results! PARTICIAPATION – THIS SCHOOL YEAR 2024-25 (till date of article) 4510 Pupils 238 classes of 142 schools 800 e-mail letter exchanges with 169 vessels 123 Regions of Greece 9 Hellenic Charter Schools classes of New York & Florida, USA |
Noteworthy, the Bi-annual surveys show that because of the program,
- One hundred percent of the Piraeus Vocational Nautical School (EPAL) students were admitted to Marine Academies due to the Adopt a Ship program last year, says the school’s teacher, Andreas Georgiadis stated at the recent 3rd AaS Teachers meeting. That’s 32 fresh cadets out of 32 EPAL students.
- Vocational nautical students want to be captains and engineers more than ever because they have contact with captains, as role models, on a weekly basis through the program.
- More children have the opportunity to learn about the value of the shipping industry in their lives, and it opens horizons for their future vocational possibilities,
- A little over 50% pupils stated they aspire to join the maritime industry when they grow up, sea and shore jobs!
- Primary classes say they did not know anything about shipping before Adopt a Ship.
- Adopt a Ship classes attract other classmates, even their teachers and families!
- Seafarer’s happiness rises as captain and crew fulfill their human need to “give back” to society.
What a great solution to the lack of seafarer’s issue.
Can we embrace Adopt a Ship pupils and help them make their dream come true?
The Adopt a Ship planted the seed of maritime knowledge first during the 2018-2019 school year, into 268 school children and has grown to 4510 pupils this year, who eagerly go to school to read the response e-mail letter from their captain and learn more about the world of shipping and life at sea. So far 18,000 pupils have had this amazing program regularly in their studies.
You can ask for your child’s school to participate next school season by contacting Elisavet at bridge@project-connect.gr or you may become a member to give back to society, together with us, at same email.
| Participating primary, secondary, & vocational nautical (EPAL) Schools in areas such as: Agia Paraskevi, Agia Varvara, Agios Germanos Prespon, Agios Nikolaos, 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, Halandri, Hersonisos, Hydra, Ierapetra, Ilion, Ilioupoli, Ioannina,Iraklio, Ithaki, Kesariani, Kalabaka, Kalamata, Kallithea, Kalymnos, Kantza, Kardamyla, Karla Kanalia Magnesias, Kasos, Kastoria, Kea, Kefalonia, Keratsini, Kiato, Kifisia, Korinthos, Koropi, Korydallos, Kos, Kozani, Kymi, Lamia, Larisa, 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, Spetses, Stamata, Stavroupoli, Syros, Thermi, Thessaloniki, Tinos, Trikala, Tyrnavos, Vari, Variko Amyntaiou, Voion Lakonias, Volos, Voula, Vouliagmeni, Vrontadou Chios & Vyronas. |
