On April 15, 1912, Titanic, the world’s largest ship, sank after colliding with an iceberg claiming more than 1,500 lives and subsequently altering the world’s confidence in modern technology. Sci-Port: Louisiana’s Science Center will open Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition tomorrow to the public. The Exhibition will run through January 20, 2013.

The world-traveled Exhibition has been designed with a focus on the legendary RMS Titanic’s compelling human stories as best told through over 150 authentic artifacts and extensive room re-creations. Perfume from a maker who was traveling to New York to sell his samples, china etched with the logo of the elite White Star Line, even a postcard which is postmarked February 11, 1911, New Orleans, LA, and depicts Lee Monument, New Orleans -- these and many other authentic objects offer haunting, emotional connections to lives abruptly ended or forever altered.

Visitors are quickly drawn back in time to 1912 upon entrance, as each receives a replica boarding pass of an actual passenger traveling on board Titanic. They then begin their chronological journey through the life of Titanic, moving through the Ship’s construction, to life on board, to the ill-fated sinking and amazing artifact rescue efforts. They will marvel at the re-created First Class Room, and press their palms against an iceberg while learning of countless stories of heroism and humanity. In the “Memorial Gallery” guests will take their boarding pass to the memorial wall and discover whether their passenger and traveling companions survived or perished.

True to Sci-Port’s mission, families and students will experience real-world science, and participate in observation, critical thinking and experimentation, as they become explorers of the wreck through the Center’s hands-on programming and demonstrations that will accompany this magnificent Exhibition. Complementary programming for visitors will include:

• Buoyant Boats – Construct your own boat, and test its sea-worthiness by loading treasure onto it!
• Sink the Ship – Learn how the “unsinkable” Ship sank.
• Paddlin’ Down The Red – Make a paddle boat using everyday items, and set sail down the “river”!
• Which Way? – Learn how to use a compass while making one with your family! Then, test it out to find true north!

Additional Titanic-themed programming will include “What Floats Your Boat,” an adult mixer on Friday, October 5, and The Titanic Dinner Experience, a theatrical dinner at Wine Country Bistro and Bottle Shop on Sunday, October 21. Learn more at www.sciport.org.

Over the past 15 years, more than 25 million people have seen this powerful exhibition in major museums worldwide - from Chicago to Los Angeles and Paris to London. RMS Titanic, Inc. is the only company permitted by law to recover objects from the wreck site of Titanic. The Company was granted Salvor-in-Possession rights to the wreck site of Titanic by a United States federal court in 1994 and has conducted eight research and recovery expeditions to the Titanic rescuing more than 5,500 artifacts.

Sponsors of Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition’s showcase at Sci-Port include Classic, Inc. and the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau. KTBS and KPXJ serve as the Center’s promotional partners.

WHAT: Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition

WHEN: Opens September 29, 2012, to the public; Members-Only Preview September 27

WHERE: Sci-Port: Louisiana’s Science Center

TICKETS: Members $8; Adult $23; Child $18; Group, Senior and Military Discounts Available

INFORMATION: www.sciport.org/Titanic or (318) 424-3466