Gates Elementary students bring ... HISTORY to Life

Ryan Steinhauser, portraying astronaut Neil Armstrong, talks to students about Armstrong’s trip to the moon in 1969. Photos by Gary Gould DAVISON TWP. — Martin Luther King Jr. and Neil Armstrong talked about their lives to students in Gates Elementary’s media center, Feb. 10.

They weren’t alone, as Lance Armstrong spoke of his feats as a bicycle racing champion, Helen Keller spoke of her trials and tribulations and Elvis Presley talked about what it was like to be the King of Rock n’ Roll.

The historical figures were part of a fourth class project for about 60 Gates Elementary students called “A Living Wax Museum.”

The museum was presented by Tammy Trombley and Julie Buzzell’s fourth grade classes. For the project students researched and dressed as famous historical figures, both living and dead, across the spectrum of American history. They could be anyone from a Founding Father to a sports figure or entertainer.

Eleanor Roosevelt, portrayed by Grace Patrach, talks of her life as first lady. “This is the fifth year we’ve done it,” said Trombley. “The students research different heroes and they think about big questions, like the time and place that person lived in.”

About 30 students took part in the event and it was attended by more than 70 parents and staff over a two day period.

Each child dressed as the person they were performing as and they read brief speeches about the life, triumphs and obstacles these historical figures had experienced and overcome. The research took about six weeks and was all done in class. Students made their costumes for the event at home, with the help of a parent.

Ryan Steinhauser, a student from Trombley’s class, was astronaut Neil Armstrong. He said he learned a lot from researching Armstrong, and not all of it about the man himself.

“I learned a lot about the moon,” said Ryan, when asked why he chose Armstrong. “It was fun.”

Trombley said she didn’t want kids to simply regurgitate what they had researched, but instead she wanted them to apply what they had learned to bringing the historical figures to life.

She said she also wanted the students to pick notable figures who had somehow influenced them in some way.

“Political figures, sports figures or just average people,” said Trombley. “I wanted them to find someone who inspired them.”