Where can you find the first man to walk on the moon, the founder of the Girl Scouts and the two most recent presidential candidates in the same room? At Mandalay Elementary School’s living wax museum, of course.

Fifth graders dressed up as their subjects and presented to parents on March 10 for the culmination of their biography research projects. It’s been a long-standing tradition at Mandalay and one that is highly anticipated because of the creativity involved. 

“It’s fun and it’s exciting for them,” fifth grade teacher Bridget Montario said. “They all look forward to it because they remember the older kids doing it in previous years.”

The cafeteria transformed into a museum where the 46 students from Ms. Montario’s and Joy Giangrande’s classes displayed their tri-fold boards and stood in their costumes. As parents walked around, they tapped a button to hear each student’s speech. The subjects were current and historical figures ranging from presidents to scientists to inventors. Some unique individuals included Lewis Braille, the founder of a reading and writing system for the visually impaired; Rachel Carson, an American marine biologist; Naomi Parker Fraley, the inspiration for Rosie the Riveter; and Marco Polo, the Venetian explorer.

For their research, students used both books and online sources. Their essays and tri-fold board displays included information on their subject’s early life and major accomplishments. The biography unit took about two months and students came away with stronger research skills and greater appreciation for people who significantly impacted society in the past and present.