Fall in love with Titanic’s story this mid-term

"Did you know the Titanic’s story started in fields of flax? Flax plants were used to make linen, a strong fabric woven into sails, tablecloths, and even clothing. Belfast was famous for its linen mills, where children as young as 10 years old worked alongside adults. The mills were noisy, dangerous places, and accidents were sadly common. This humble plant played a big part in the story of one of the world’s most famous ships. Can you imagine working in a mill instead of going to school?"

"Every great ship starts with the people who build it. Thousands of workers passed through these gates daily to build Titanic. But if you were even a minute late—after the shift started at 6:00 a.m.—the gates would close, and you’d lose your chance to work for the day. That meant no pay! With far more workers than jobs, competition was fierce, and pay was low. Would you wake up early to make sure you didn’t miss your shift?"

"Imagine a giant steel structure so big it could hold Titanic while it was being built! The Arrol Gantry was like a massive climbing frame, and workers had to scale it with no safety harnesses or hard hats. One slip could mean a serious accident. Despite the risks, thousands worked together to build Titanic. With no toilets nearby, workers often had to relieve themselves over the edge of the gantry. Supervisors even wore hats to protect themselves from surprises falling from above! Would you be brave enough to work here?

"Getting a ticket to Titanic’s launch was like being invited to the most exciting event of the year! Thousands of people gathered to see Titanic slide into the water for the very first time. This ticket was a golden opportunity to witness history being made. If you had this ticket, where would you stand to get the best view?"

"Dinners on Titanic were a grand affair! From delicate teacups to elegant plates, the White Star Line’s tableware showed off the luxury of the ship. These plates are from Titanic’s sister ship, Olympic. While thousands of broken plates have been photographed on the Titanic’s wreck at the ocean floor, many believe the site is a graveyard that should remain undisturbed. What do you think—should items be salvaged from Titanic, or should they stay where they are?"

"What would you have for lunch on Titanic? On this menu, first-class passengers could choose from fancy dishes like roast chicken and plum pudding. This menu is like a snapshot of life on board, showing the fine dining that passengers enjoyed just hours before Titanic’s story took a tragic turn. If you were on board, would you try something new or stick to what you know?"

"This lifejacket is one of only 12 remaining in the world! It tells a powerful story of Titanic’s passengers. Worn during the ship’s evacuation, it helped keep people afloat in the freezing ocean. While not everyone was saved, the lifejackets remind us of the bravery and kindness shown by many on that fateful night. If you could only take one thing with you, what would it be?"

"These tiny keys might have made a big difference! They were meant to unlock a storage box holding binoculars for Titanic’s lookout crew. Without them, the crew had to rely on their eyesight alone to spot danger. Many wonder if having the binoculars could have helped them see the iceberg sooner. What do you think?"

"Music floated through Titanic’s halls thanks to musicians like Wallace Hartley. He played his violin to keep passengers calm as the ship faced trouble. This violin is a symbol of courage and dedication, as Wallace and his band continued playing until the very end. What song would you play to bring people comfort?"

"Even today, Titanic fascinates people all over the world! This novelty teapot shows how Titanic’s story has been remembered and shared in surprising ways. It’s a fun reminder of how history can live on in our everyday lives—sometimes even during tea time! What would you design to help tell Titanic’s story?"