From inventors to authors, and athletes to activists, historical figures came alive at Sussex Academy Elementary’s annual Wax Museum June 3.

Each year, third graders select a historical figure, celebrity, athlete, author or other notable person whose biography to read. Students create a biography and poster with key facts and images related to their figure and on the day of the Wax Museum, they dress up as their research subject.

Then, students memorize a short speech about their figure and, like a wax figure, “come to life” when a student, parent or staff member presses a “button.”

Students have been working on the project for more than a month, said third grade teacher Samantha Norwood, who noted the work connects directly to reading, writing, speaking and listening standards.

In so doing, students develop a variety of important skills, Norwood said, including research, note-taking, informational writing, public speaking, memorization and presentation skills.

“The project is especially valuable because students have ownership over their learning by choosing a person who interests or inspires them,” she said. “It also gives them the opportunity to share their knowledge with others and build confidence as speakers and presenters.”

📷 : Lucas Stevens channels Albert Einstein for his Wax Museum project.