Third Graders Bring History to Life with 'Live Wax Museum'

Nelson Mandela Elementary students portray famous Nebraskans for Black History Month

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Third graders at Nelson Mandela Elementary School in Omaha, Nebraska put on a "Live Wax Museum" event, where each student researched and portrayed a famous Nebraskan figure, including Malcolm X, Ernie Chambers, and Terence Crawford. The students dressed up in character and gave presentations about their chosen historical figures.

Why it matters

The "Live Wax Museum" project allowed the third graders to deeply engage with local history and culture, bringing important figures to life in an interactive way. It also provided an opportunity for the students to develop valuable research, public speaking, and performance skills.

The details

For the "Live Wax Museum" event, the third graders at Nelson Mandela Elementary each selected a famous Nebraskan to research and then portray. The students dressed up as their chosen figures, which ranged from civil rights leaders like Malcolm X to athletes like boxer Terence Crawford. They gave presentations about the lives and accomplishments of their historical counterparts.

  • The "Live Wax Museum" event took place on Tuesday, February 25, 2026.

The players

Nelson Mandela Elementary School

An elementary school in Omaha, Nebraska that hosted the "Live Wax Museum" event for its third grade students.

Taidyn Smith

A third grade student at Nelson Mandela Elementary who portrayed Symone Sanders, former spokesperson for Vice President Kamala Harris.

John Ewing Jr.

The mayor of Omaha, Nebraska who visited the "Live Wax Museum" event to meet his young alter-ego.

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What they’re saying

“I get to do lots of stuff and learn about new stuff that I never knew before and I get to say new words that I never said before in my life.”

— Taidyn Smith, Third grade student

The takeaway

The "Live Wax Museum" project at Nelson Mandela Elementary demonstrates the value of hands-on, interactive learning experiences that allow students to deeply engage with history and develop important skills. Events like this help bring the past to life and inspire the next generation of leaders and changemakers.