Heritage Fair

What is a Heritage Fair?

Think Science Fair but for History!
The Heritage Fairs are showcases of history project displays created by local students about Canadian history.
Students choose a topic (often a family or local story), develop an inquiry question that stems from their curiosity about that topic, and present their findings to the public.
Projects can be poster boards, plays, videos, comics, and more.

STAGES OF HERITAGE FAIRS
Classroom/School Heritage Fair
Students work on their Heritage Fairs in their classes. It is highly recommended they first present their Heritage Fair projects to their peers and teachers in a class or school fair.

Regional Heritage Fair
Teachers select stand-out projects from their classes to continue to the Regional Fair level. At the East Kootenay Regional Fair, students will be interviewed by judges about their Heritage Fair project. Awards will be given to certain students for their projects based on their strength.

Provincial Heritage Fair
Judges will nominate three students from the Regional Heritage Fair to present their projects at the Provincial Heritage Fair. The annual fair typically takes place in-person at a selected BC city. In 2023, the Fair will take place in Prince George from July 2nd to 5th.

Every year over 6000 students take part in Heritage Fairs across BC, and thousands more across Canada.

Why Participate?

The Heritage Fair is an amazing opportunity for students to get curious, creative and confident with history.

For Teachers

  • Supports cross-curricular teaching goals in Social Studies, Art, English Language Arts, Math, and Languages
  • Supports Core Competencies in communicating, critical and reflective thinking, positive personal and cultural identity, and social awareness and responsibility
  • Find resources for your classroom here.

For Students

  • Student-led learning
  • Fosters inquiry-based critical and historical thinking skills
  • Produces engaged citizens

For Parents

  • Builds your child’s confidence and pride in their learning
  • Develops your child’s communication skills, from researching to presenting

How to Participate:

Eligibility requirements

  • Grade 4 – 10
  • Projects can be by individual, partners or small groups. (Only one student can participate in the BC Provincial Fair and must be approved before the Regional Fair.)
  • Projects must be in English, French or Ktunaxa.
  • Read full guidelines here.
  • Contact programs@cranbrookhistorycentre.com to be connected to your school’s Heritage Fair liaison.

If your child is outside SD5 they can still participate in the Independant Heritage Fair. This is a virtual fair that those students outside a Regional Fair area can participate in. One student from the Independant Fair will be chosen to participate in the Provincial Fair. Contact BC Heritage Fairs coordinator@bcheritagefairs.ca to learn more and to register.

Timeline

January 27 2023: Class Registration for the Regional Fair Due. Download the Registration Form and submit to programs@cranbrookhistorycentre.com.

February 2023:

Students begin research for their project.

Students begin writing the first draft for their project. The History Centre has put together a list of local resources for students to use.

February 10, teachers will confirm how many projects per class may participate in the Regional Fair.

March 2023:

Students design their Heritage Fair display and practice for interview Qs. Get inspiration here.

April 2023:

Students present their projects in their classrooms.

Teachers evaluate projects and select Heritage Fair participants. Multiple rubrics are available to use or develop your own.

April 28th, teachers submit their selected project information to the Regional Heritage Fair. Be sure to complete the Group Project Agreement Form ahead of the Regional Fair.

May 11th, 2023: Drop off and set up projects, 3:00-5:30pm

May 12th, 2023: Heritage Fair Day, 9:00am-2:15pm

Select students from participating schools present their projects to the judges.

May 13th, 2023: Open House, 10:00am-12:00pm & Awards Ceremony, 11:00am-12:00pm

Anyone and everyone is welcome to view the student projects during the open house at 10:00am and attend the award ceremony at 11:00am.

Thank you

to our partners: School District 5 and BC Heritage Fairs

sponsors: Columbia Basin Trust and Canadian Ministry of Heritage

prize donors: ARQ, Fort Steele Heritage Town, Huckleberry Books, Panago Pizza, Elizabeth Lake Lodge, Ktunaxa Enterprise Ltd, Kimberley Underground Railway, Teck Mine Tours, Cranbrook Roller Skate, Cranbrook Rodeo, Got Adventure Trail Rides, City of Cranbrook, BC Hydro Power Pioneers, Creston Museum, Fernie Museum, and Creston Discovery Centre.

and to all the participants and supporters involved!