ADVOCATE | EDUCATE | ACTIVATE
Connecting Learners with Seafarers!
What is it?
The Adopt A Ship program is a free, engaging, sustainable, and well-developed educational tool that educates students about the importance of shipping and its global impact on our daily lives by connecting classrooms with mariners.
Developed in 2006, the Adopt A Ship Program was initiated by the Cyprus Shipping Chamber (CSC), and the Cyprus Maritime Environmental Protection Association (CYMEPA) to bring together students and seafarers onboard ships.
How does it work?
Versions of the Adopt A Ship Program vary from country to country. The basic program consists of:
- Senior officers onboard the vessel exchange weekly emails with classrooms through the teacher for 6-8 weeks
- Classrooms are provided with a world map with trade lines to track their ship's journey
- The program can be expanded to include assessments, in-person visits, video calling, and completion certificates
Student Objectives
While learning about the important role seafarers play as essential workers, students are also introduced to:
- Geography
- Culture
- Environmental Conservation
- Marine Operations
- Communication Skills
- Career Opportunities
Interdisciplinary Learning
The Adopt A Ship program can be utilized in any class as it has the ability to offer interdisciplinary learning with:
- Student-centered learning approach
- Project-based learning
- Integration of common skills, concepts and ideas
For more information on how to get your school or organization involved, please contact our Education Team at education@namepa.net
“The captain of the ship would answer my student's questions with great details and even provided images for them. They really enjoyed corresponding with the captain, being able to track a real ship out there in the ocean, and being able to learn about their life at sea, and how they did their part to take care of the ocean.”
- Mrs. Mendez, Sullivan Environmental Science Academy
“Here on board STI Maestro… we are happy in our own very small way to touch and inspire the hearts of our young generation… giving them an idea on how that we seafarers are pro-actively taking good care of our environment, our ocean, our seas.”
- Captain Alfredo P. Sequin, Jr. and Crew of the STI Maestro
History of Adopt A Ship
The “Adopt a Ship” Program was initiated by the Cyprus Shipping Chamber, (CSC), and the Cyprus Maritime Environmental Protection Association, (CYMEPA), in 2006 to bring together the Elementary Schools and Seafarers on board ships operated by CSC Members. The program expanded into the Philippines, Poland, India and Greece 2017. More than 70 ships now participate in the Cyprus program. More than 30 ships are participating in the Poland program. More than 4,500 children participated in Manila in 2018. To learn more about the program and download a program flyer, please visit the Cyprus "Adopt a Ship" Program page or connect on Facebook: “Adopt A Ship International.”