The Following are general guidelines for heritage fair projects. School, regional and community based fairs may have their own guidelines. Please check with the coordinator of the fair in your area. The required elements for submissions to the Provincial Heritge Fair are listed on the Provincial Fair page on this site.
All Heritage Fair Projects:
- Have a Canadian theme. Local, provincial, regional, or international history or heritage can be researched, but projects based on family or local history are highly desirable.
- Students may prepare projects as individuals, in pairs or in groups. However, group or partner projects may be presented by only one student at the Provincial Fair and it is important that the representative be selected well in advance. Check with your Regional Coordinators as to the expectations for your particular Regional Fair.
- NOT be expensive to produce: basic supplies like poster boards, coloured paper and art/craft materials should be the only cost.
- Include title, credits, written summary and/or research journal and bibliography: Photographs must be properly credited. Any person/organization clearly identifiable in a presentation must give their permission.
- Each project must be clearly labeled with student’s name, school and grade in the bottom right corner of the display.
- Avoid profanity, racial/sexist remarks or other potentially offensive matter.
- Be free standing (no wall access), this includes all displays and backboards;
- Creative and unique projects are encouraged. Projects in a wide variety of formats are acceptable, and a list of ideas is available in the Resources section.
- A commercially produced display board is the correct size format. The project board should not exceed 80cm deep, 150cm wide and 100cm high. If students are encouraged to be creative and construct models, etc. they should be aware that for display purposes, they are limited to 150cm wide space. They may add to their display by expanding upward and forward as long as it is free standing.
- Teachers and parents are welcome to assist with student projects, but the emphasis must remain on student learning and understanding. Students should formulate their own topics and research questions; projects must contain some independent research conducted by the student.
- Each participant is expected to give an oral explanation of his/her topic
- Projects are welcome in both Canadian official languages. Where available, all efforts will be made to provide adjudicators that speak French.
Creative component:
In addition to the required elements listed above, projects should include at least one additional component that is appropriate to the topic. Students should be encouraged to use their own means of creative expression to share their stories about Canadian history. The best projects will be multisensory – not just visual. Students who choose to include an original presentation, should contact the Fair Coordinator in their region for any limitations to length of the presentation and/or facilities. Creative components may be, but are not limited to, the following:
Archival photographs - permission and information obtained from museum or original owner
Artistic Displays – original visual artwork of the presenter
Audio Tapes – on standard audiocassette, including a title and credits
Cartoons – black & white or colour, size 8.5” x 11” / 22 cm x 28 cm
Collections – historic or modern, with some historical relevance
Computer Displays – designed and created by students with minimal technical support
Drama and Skits – live or taped performance, maximum length 15 minutes
Maps – that illustrate an event or theme in Canadian history
Models and Crafts – that demonstrate some aspect of family or Canadian heritage
Monologues and Public Speaking – maximum length 15 minutes
Music and Dance – live performance, maximum length 15 minutes
Oral Histories - interviewing and recording the stories of local pioneers in connection to your subject
Photographs – original photographic work of the presenter
Poetry – original written work of the presenter, minimum 14 lines
Short Stories and Fictional Diary Entries – 2-11 pages long, typed or handwritten
TV or Movie Scripts – 2-6 pages for grades 4-7 / 5-10 pages for grades 8-9, typed
Video Tapes – on standard VHS tape, written and directed by students, maximum length 15 minutes
Additional Suggestions for Students
- Be creative! The Heritage Fairs Program is a chance for you to learn about something that interests YOU. If you are excited about your topic, other people will be interested too.
- Try to find out about your topic from primary sources. There may be someone in your community who is an expert on your topic or has first hand information about it. Museums, local historical society, heritage groups are all good places to start.
- Before you decide on a creative component for your project, think about all the possibilities: models, maps, dioramas, creative writing, original art work, computer displays, videos, interviews, music, dance, drama … and many other ideas.
- It is fine to ask your parents, teachers and other adults to help with your project, but be sure that you fully understand all of the information that you include. The work must be YOURS! You must be able to share the stories you have learned with judges/adjudicators and the public at the Fair.
- Be prepared to answer questions about your project – not just about the facts, but also about why you chose the topic and the format that you used.
- Show the high quality of your learning by using original work rather than copies of what other people have done. When you adapt the work of other people, you will need to give those people credit by including a bibliography or works cited section in your project.
- Check your project early to make sure that it meets all of the Heritage Fair requirements. (Your teacher can help you with this task.)
- Display your project on a sturdy, stand-alone backboard, or other type of tabletop exhibit.
- If your project includes a performance, you might want to print a program that will tell the judges and the audience about your special presentation.
- If your project requires electricity or other special equipment, remember to include that information on your Project Registration form.
- Design your project so that you will be able to transport it to and from the Fair at your school: if you are chosen to attend the Regional Fair, you may need to pack your project for transportation a second time.
- Think twice about including valuable or irreplaceable items in your project. Instead, consider using photographs of expensive items and placing fragile objects under a glass or plastic cover for protection or create a model of the item.
- Take a picture of yourself and your project for your scrapbook
