Published:
01/16/2011 04:38am
School Children Worldwide to Benefit from Titanic Cruise
The 700 passengers aboard Azamara Journey for the Titanic 2012 cruise sailing from Boston on April 9. 2012 won’t be the only ones participating in programs focused on the ship RMS Titanic. Children in elementary and middle schools will be given a unique opportunity to view Titanic up close from their classrooms while learning about a pivotal event in history.
An expedition ship, stationed at the Titanic wreck site prior to the arrival of the cruise ship, will be outfitted with a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The ROV will carry a 3-D or high definition camera designed to penetrate the bow and record images from the interior of the ship. These images will be sent via an interactive link to the Journey, allowing passengers to see Titanic as she rests today on the ocean floor.
Two-hour shows will be produced with project partner Bob Sitrick Productions for streaming into schools throughout interested nations. Each show would consist of one hour of pre-recorded expedition footage, including scenes from the Titanic wreck. The rest of each broadcast will be a live link, so students may ask questions of the expedition team via Skype. These broadcasts will be aired on school days prior to and immediately following the anniversary of Titanic’s sinking (April 14-15, 2012).
Lesson plans are being developed by National Board Certified Teachers who are currently professional educators. “It is exciting to create a venue where future generations can learn the story of Titanic. All people we study on the Titanic were once as alive as we are this very minute and their stories need to be kept in the hearts and minds of future generations” says Dr. Melinda Ratchford, associate professor at Belmont Abbey College in Charlotte, NC, and life-long advocate of sharing the Titanic story. “These lesson plans are geared for students in grades 3-7 but teachers can modify these to augment the learning experience for all students. I have yet to find anyone between the ages of 4 and 104 who have not been entranced at some level by this magnificent ship.”
Lessons will cover the core curriculum subjects of science, mathematics, history/geography and language arts.
“School kids today are enthralled with all the aspects of the Titanic story, from the ship itself to passengers to the events of that fateful night of her sinking,” says Frank Goldsmith, son of young survivor Frankie Goldsmith, age 9, and grandson of Emily Goldsmith. “Because it was such a tragedy, the details are worth remembering; they all contributed to major turning points in history for more than one country.” Frank regularly visits schools, clubs, and various groups to share his family’s experience on board Titanic.
“This link with the expedition camera system is going to provide multiple opportunities for people across the world to learn more about Titanic’s story, past and present,” says Bill Willard, president of willTiger Corp. and coordinator of this anniversary cruise. “What better way to honor the 100th anniversary of this great ship, whose passengers were young children as well as adults, than to offer a unique learning opportunity for children in schools today.”
Schools wishing to participate may subscribe with a nominal fee, which includes downloadable lesson plans and suggestions for how to get involved.
The Voyages! Titanic 2012 cruise will depart from Boston, MA on April 9, 2012 and will be at the wreck site for the 100th anniversary of the Titanic’s sinking. Reservations for a stateroom on board the Azamara Journey can be made through the Voyages to Remember website listed above. Two stateroom categories are now sold out for the cruise, and other categories have limited staterooms available.
“It is our goal to have 1 million scholastic members join us on our expedition,” says Willard. “We look forward to working with educators and students, and allowing them to be a part of history.”
For more information, visit the cruise website, www.voyages-to-remember.com.
