Stepping into Highview Elementary School felt like entering Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, with third-grade classrooms transformed into halls of history. Through the lens of third graders, influential figures took shape as a school-wide Black History Month wax museum invited families and classmates to experience history from a new perspective.
As visitors entered the classrooms, they were greeted by a gallery of historical figures standing still beside their presentations. With the press of a “button,” the figures suddenly came alive, sharing their stories, answering questions, and stepping into the lives of trailblazers who shaped history.
Now in its second year, the wax museum is poised to become an annual tradition at Highview. Ms. Collica introduced the experience last year with her second-grade class. This year, as she moved up to third grade, so did the project. The event also opened its doors to families, creating an even larger audience for students’ research and presentations.
Students represented a wide range of influential figures, including athletes such as LeBron James and Simone Biles; artists and cultural leaders like Aretha Franklin, Maya Angelou, Eddie Murphy, and Michael Jackson; and trailblazers such as Madam C.J. Walker, Dr. Mae Jemison, Bessie Coleman, and Joan Murrell Owens. Each student researched their figure, created presentations, and dressed the part, transforming classrooms into a living museum of achievement and inspiration.
Julia embraced the role of Dr. Mae Jemison, complete with an astronaut suit that could easily be mistaken for the real thing. Sharing why she chose the history-making astronaut, Julia said, “I picked Dr. Mae Jemison because she was the first Black woman to go to space. I think that's really cool.”
Julian portrayed President Barack Obama, sharing facts about the nation’s first African American president, including his love of Spider-Man comics and his childhood interest in basketball. “I like watching Our Oceans, and President Barack Obama narrates it,” Julian said, highlighting a shared interest he discovered during his research with the history-making former president.
The experience also inspired younger learners. Ms. Collica worked with second-grade teachers to coordinate their participation, giving students an opportunity to observe, take notes, and reflect while looking ahead to their own participation next year. Second graders toured the wax museum with clipboards in hand, recording what they learned about the historical figures and their contributions.
For Ms. Collica, watching the project come together after weeks of preparation was especially meaningful.
“I almost teared up,” she said. “It feels so good. The students have been working on this for over a month, and they’re really taking pride in it. It’s such a great experience for children to work on something over a period of time and put in the effort. They’re learning about Black history and the contributions of influential figures. I also think it’s very inspirational.”
Families and visitors were equally impressed by the students’ preparation and confidence. One parent shared, “I teach at a college in Rhode Island, and I wish my students were as prepared as these Highview students.”
As visitors moved from figure to figure, the classrooms became more than displays of projects. They became celebrations of leadership, creativity, and perseverance, with students stepping into the stories of individuals who paved the way, made significant contributions to society, and made history.