MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT

ON

THE GARRETT A. MORGAN TECHNOLOGY AND

TRANSPORTATION FUTURES PROGRAM

BETWEEN

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

AND

THE PROPELLER CLUB OF THE UNITED STATES

This memorandum of Agreement (MOA) is entered into by the Maritime Administration (MARAD) of the U. S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and The Propeller Club of the United States (Propeller Club).

I.   Purpose

The purpose of this agreement is to establish a cooperative program to enhance the education and motivation of students to be better prepared for careers in transportation and for their enlightened use of transportation systems. The program has three goals:

• To build a bridge between America’s youth and the transportation community;
• To support the development of improved educational technology that provides better ways for people to       acquire new skills; and
• To ensure that America’s transportation workforce for the 21^st century is technologically literate and        internationally competitive.

II.   DOT Responsibilities

On May 30, 1997, the Secretary of Transportation unveiled a new departmental initiative. Called the Garrett A. Morgan Technology and Transportation Futures Program, the effort is designed to educate and motivate the transportation workforce of tomorrow. The Program is committed to reaching one million students of all ages by the end of the year 2000 to:

1. make them aware of the opportunities in the transportation field and
2. help them acquire math, science, and technology skills so they can take advantage of these opportunities.

The Garrett A. Morgan Program is a department-wide effort that unifies various elements of the U.S. Department of Transportation around a common agenda. DOT will work with The Propeller Club under the principles of the Garrett A. Morgan Technology and Transportation Futures Program to enhance the education and career awareness of students.

III.   Propeller Club Responsibilities

The Propeller Club is an international association comprised of 10,000 members from all facets of the maritime industry. One of their educational programs with a long history (since 1936) is their "Adopt-A-Ship" program for school children. This educational effort is designed for fifth- through eighth-graders and sets up an adoptive relationship between individual classrooms around the United States and the officers and crews of individual U.S. flag merchant ships willing to participate in the plan. Over 100 ships were paired with classrooms last year. Educational efforts by the ships and the teachers motivate and enhance the education of the students reached.

IV. Cooperative Efforts

Both DOT and The Propeller Club are concerned with having a good supply of well-educated maritime professionals. Generally, American school children are not well aware of the career opportunities in the American Merchant Marine and related industries. Using transportation examples in class instruction with regular connections to actual mariners and their ships provides the opportunity to make classroom experiences more relevant. The cooperative effort will focus on fostering an interest in math, science, geography, history, English, transportation, and maritime careers. It will provide children with an interest in maritime activities and assist teachers by providing them with a practical tool through which to inspire and educate youth. The students will become aware of possible careers in the maritime industry and the program will enrich their educational experiences and make them better prepared to meet educational requirements for their career choices.

One fruitful area of effort envisioned is to enhance The Propeller Club’s "Adopt A Ship" program through working together with the schools and the U.S.-flag ships involved. DOT will facilitate the transfer of useful educational materials through the web site of the Garrett A. Morgan initiative. Materials developed by teachers and students exchanged through the web site will permit all to share curricula and valuable transportation-related educational materials.

Schools under The Propeller Club’s program will also be included with other DOT adopted schools and be eligible for participation in various programs such as educational contests or other similarly supportive programs. Other activities for cooperation will be pursued.

V. Administration

DOT and the Propeller Club will work as mutually beneficial toward identifying initiatives and methodologies or resources to accomplish them and meet each organization’s goals.

VI. Duration

This memorandum shall remain effective until either party to this agreement notifies the other that it wishes to terminate the agreement.

1. Approvals

FOR THE MARITIME                            FOR THE PROPELLER CLUB OF

ADMINISTRATION                                     THE UNITED STATES

_______________________                        ________________________  

Clyde Hart                                                     J. Daniel Smith

Administrator                                                 Executive Vice President 

Maritime Administration                                  The Propeller Club of The United States

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