Fourth grade teacher Nicole Radke had one word of advice before entering the Sippican School gym-turned-zoo, "Just don't poke at the bears."

For the second year in a row, the fourth grade students have researched an animal, and then held a zoo where they dressed up like their species of choice or as a zoologist.

After almost a month of studying humpback whales, Bowen Lorden was very knowledgeable on the large mammals.

"They're the size of a school bus," said Bowen, pointing to a diagram on his display. "I bet you won't look at a bus the same way again."

Dressed head to toe in a gorilla suit he found in the attic, Bude Gelson said he was interested in the animal because they have some similar behaviors to humans.

"I picked gorillas because they're kind of like us. The babies act exactly like us: they eat, play follow the leader and tackle each other," he said.

Paige Long said she chose green sea turtles after her father saw one this summer.

Emma McGinnis dressed in black and white to mimic a panda, and said she learned that the Chinese animals eat 28 pounds of bamboo daily, are five to six feet long as adults and are particularly cute as cubs.

"I picked pandas because they're really cute and they're endangered," said Emma. "I wanted to learn about them and find a way to help them."

Dressed for a safari, Radke said the fourth grade students have been excited about the projects.

"They've been working on it for about four weeks and have been so, so focused," she said.

The fourth grade teachers like the project because it encompasses reading, writing, geography, technology, math and science. Plus, the kids get a kick out of learning and dressing up like an animal.

"They're very dedicated, and they're proud to show it off with their friends and family," said Radke.