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.”