How can I creatively show smallpox in a school project?

There are a few fairly ugly pictures here that may be usable.

Creatively show smallpox? School really has become ridiculous in my opinion. I thought by the 1800’s we already had the vaccine. If you want to do something regarding the US only, maybe something about when each state made the vaccine compulsory? You could show a map with dates. Cases of smallpox in each state through the 19th century, using graphs. I guess that’s more science oriented than creative.

If you like the science angle you could dress as scientists/doctors discussing the discovery of cowpox making women immune to smallpox and creating the vaccine (that started in the late 1700’s I think). Also, if I remember correctly the first people the vaccine was tested on died? Or, some of them did. The vaccine creation is quite interesting if you read up in it. The term vaccine comes from smallpox and later was used for all inoculations against disease in honor of the discovery of vaccination against smallpox.

Tell them the story of Janet Parker, who was killed by smallpox in 1978.

There is an episode of House where smallpox is discussed – here. Maybe include some snippets of that for dramatics? You could then point out which parts the writers of the show got wrong.

@longgone The OP said 19th century.

There must be lots of graphs on various aspects of the disease that you can google up, then utilize in your presentation.

Release some in the room, that would be creative.