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Living wax museum sets elementary students on career paths

With the push of a button, inventors, video game creators, doctors, teachers, engineers, and dancers lining the main hallway of Clements/Parsons Elementary School came to life sharing the passion for their careers.
 
Third through fifth grade students enrolled in the gifted education program participated in a living wax museum project. Over several weeks, students learned and practiced the 21st Century Learner Skills of creative thinking, critical thinking, collaboration and communication or the 4C’s. The students then researched future careers and saw how the 4C’s as well as school subjects would be relevant to them in the future.
 
For GE teacher Julie Armstrong, it was important that these advanced learners be able to relate the lesson to real-life application.
 
“I wanted to tie what we’d learned about the 21st Century Learner Skills to something relevant,” she said. “I asked the students to think about how someone in their future careers might use the 4 C’s.”
 
The focus related what they are learning now to their futures. How would someone in their future career use creative thinking or critical thinking? How would they need to communicate or collaborate with others? Students dressed like professionals employed in their future careers and recited student-written speeches when someone pushed their pretend buttons on their hands.
 
Hailey Williams, a fourth grader who participated in the living wax museum, scripted what she would share when students and staff pushed her pretend button explaining that veterinarians need to communicate with patients, collaborate with other veterinarians, be creative in their treatment of animals and think critically when faced with sick animals.
 
“I enjoyed telling people about my future career. I want to be a veterinarian when I grow up,” she said.
 
Students gained confidence each time visitors pushed their buttons as they practiced their public speaking skills. Student Addison Hooten, who has danced on stage since she was a toddler, enjoyed making the presentation even if she had to repeat it several times.
 
“It was a performance to me,” Hooten said. “I like to perform and share what I’ve been working on.”
 
For gifted student Holden Dellarciprete, the opportunity to present himself as an inventor was a artistic outlet for the fourth grader.
 
“(I) enjoyed the opportunity to be creative in making my button and dressing up as an inventor. I like being creative,” he said.
 

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