For 22 years, Cape Cod students have followed Massachusetts Maritime Academy cadets taking part in their annual Sea Term. Thanks to MMA’s Follow The Voyage – Share The Experience Program, students leave the snow and ice of a New England winter behind as they virtually travel to warmer climates aboard the academy’s training ship. While cadets apply science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) at sea, students take part in parallel lessons back in their classrooms.
Thanks to daily cadet blogs, the Captain’s Log, posts from two pirate mascots, photos, videos, and special features, student feel like they are traveling with the cadets. They observe cadets tackle challenging topics such as weather forecasting, celestial navigation, ocean currents, rust removal, engine maintenance, sewerage treatment, firefighting, and seawater desalination. Students also experience the food, art, and culture of the ship’s four exciting ports of call—all without ever leaving the classroom.
This year, participants will notice an exciting addition to the Follow The Voyage – Share The Experience program. Thursday, Jan. 10 will mark the 10th anniversary of the renaming of the 540-foot training ship from Enterprise to Kennedy. To honor this milestone, the academy has formed a partnership with the John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum. Teachers and students will discover the legacy of our 35th President woven throughout the six week program.