Adopt a Ship Program

A new partnerSHIP between Plato Academy Schools and the Adopt a Ship Greece

The Adopt a Ship Program was first initiated by the Cyprus Shipping Chamber in 2006 to bring together the Cypriot Elementary Schools and Seafarers on board CSC Members ships in order to provide a real-world learning experience for elementary school children. The Cyprus Marine Environment Protection Association (CYMEPA) has been responsible for the administration of the program. The program is under the approval of the Cyprus Ministry of Transport Communications & Works and the Cyprus Ministry of Education & Culture.

Project Connect launched Adopt a Ship in Greece for the first time in Autumn 2018, authorized by the Ministry of Education and under the auspices of the Ministry of Shipping & Insular Policy. With cooperation from Cyprus Marine Environment Protection Association – CYMEPA and Project Connect volunteers, the maritime educational program started in January 2019.

Project Connect is a non-profit organization founded in May 2015 with the support of Greek shipowners and distinguished professionals in Shipping and Human Resources. The vision of Project Connect is “sustaining one of Greece’s top resources, the Shipping Industry through supporting the “can do” mind set and the aim for excellence that has built it, and to instill this mind set into the next generation workforce who will ultimately strengthen Greek Shipping’s competitiveness in the International arena.” www.project-connect.gr

How does this program work?

The Program is initiated at the beginning of every school year in October and administered by PROJECT CONNECT as follows:

1. The Ministry of Education notifies the Elementary Schools all over the country to participate while Project Connect sends an invitation circular including the Application Form to both public and private schools.
2. A circular is sent to the Shipping Companies inviting them to provide ships for the Program.
3. Once the number of ships is known each ship is matched with a school class.
4. The shipping company provides the name and contact details of the officer onboard. Usually this is the Master or the Chief Officer or the Second Officer who will follow up the communication with the class, and the designated department and person in charge along with Project Connect are copied in.
5. Project Connect provides each class with an AaS Pamphlet pertaining to Greek Shipping History and all the types of vessels and a nautical route map to help the class monitor the routes of the adopted ship. Also, the class has access to “The first online Maritime Museum www.greekshippingmiracle.org
6. The students, with their teacher, create a letter that they send via e-mail to the Captain of the adopted vessel. The Captain responds as soon as he can. The e-mail communication exchange may be 2-4 times a month. The teachers create various lesson plans on various subjects according to the captains’ letters.
7. Each participating school is awarded with a small ship paper model with 6 “containers” to affix a sticker for every year of the school’s participation in the Program.
8. Each participating Teacher & Student, Master & Crew are awarded with a Participation Certificate at the end of the school year.
   During the school period, PROJECT CONNECT remains the contact point for the schools and the
   companies, in case any assistance may be needed.

There are 3 questionnaires during the school year that assist our Educators’ consultant to evaluate and assess the program. The first is to see what teacher and students know about maritime and by the last questionnaire, we can determine what was learned about same.

What are the educational Objectives of this program?

1. Increase children understanding of the world through real ship contact.
2. Develop children’s research, communication and teamwork skills
3. Work collaboratively and collect data relevant to shipping and life at sea Career Objectives of the Program
4. Inform students about ship types, cargoes and relevant operations with regard to the World Trade.
5. Familiarize children with the seafaring profession and the many on-shore professions of the maritime world.
6. Help students understand the “Greek Shipping Miracle” and the contribution of Greece maritime fleet to the world’s economy and development.

Plato Academy Palm Harbor connects with the vessel Stellar Trader of Load Line Marine S.A.

Plato Academy St. Petersburg connects with the RELIABILITY of SEA PIONEER SHIPPING CORPORATION and Captain Michalis Papalis.

Plato Academy Tampa connects with M/T ALTHEA. and Captain Geomelos and Mr. Michalis Papalis.

Plato Academy Trinity connects with vessel EM SPETSES of EUROBULK LTD and Captain George Frangakis.

Plato Academy Seminole connects with vessel A. OVELIX of CAPITAL EXECUTIVE SHIP MANAGEMENT CORP.

Plato Academy Clearwater connects with MV NIKILAND of NAVITAS COMPANIA MARITIMA S.A.