Vilseck Elementary students bring history and culture to life through Living Wax Museum
VILSECK, Germany — Vilseck Elementary School recently buzzed with excitement as fifth-grade students unveiled their Living Wax Museum, an immersive event where history, literature, science and pop culture came alive through student performances. Guided by Ms. Coss and Ms. Sizemore, students transformed weeks of research into engaging, character-driven presentations that captivated families, teachers and classmates.
The project centered on the students’ learning target: “I can research and gather relevant, credible information about a famous person and summarize their life and accomplishments.”
After selecting a notable figure, each student researched their subject, summarized key accomplishments and prepared a short presentation. On the day of the museum, students dressed as their chosen individuals and stood frozen in place, just like real wax figures. Visitors “activated” each figure simply by stopping in front of them, prompting the student to come to life and share their story.
The museum featured an impressive range of personalities, including Selena, John von Neumann, J.K. Rowling, Misty Copeland, Finn Wolfhard, Princess Diana, Emma Watson, Simone Biles and Michael Jackson. From groundbreaking scientists to beloved performers and influential cultural icons, the variety of figures showcased the students’ diverse interests and thoughtful research choices.
The event served as a vibrant celebration of learning, creativity and confidence. Through the project, students strengthened their research, writing and presentation skills while gaining a deeper appreciation for the accomplishments and influence of historical and cultural figures.
With the support of Ms. Coss and Ms. Sizemore, the fifth graders created a memorable experience for the school community while demonstrating the power of student voice and active learning.
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Advancing Strategic Goal 1: Student Excellence, strengthening literacy, research and communication skills while encouraging students to apply critical thinking and share their learning in meaningful and engaging ways.
