Heritage Fair Project Guidelines
Projects and their creative components need to follow certain guidelines to meet Regional and Provincial Fair expectations. School, Regional and community-based Fairs may have their own guidelines, so please check with the Regional Coordinator in your area.
All Heritage Fair projects must:
- Have a Canadian theme
- Include a title, credits, written summary and/or research journal, and bibliography
- Ensure that photographs are properly credited
- Have the permission of any person or organization clearly identifiable in a presentation
- Be clearly labeled with student’s name, school and grade in the bottom right corner of the display
- For a poster board: be free standing (no wall access); this includes all displays and backboards
- For a poster board: not exceed 80cm deep, 150cm wide and 100cm high – a commercially produced display board is the correct size format. Students may add to their display by expanding upward and forward as long as it is free standing and does not exceed these dimensions
- Ensure that students formulate their own topics and research questions, and conduct some of their research independently. Teachers and parents are welcome to assist with student projects, but the emphasis must remain on student learning and understanding
- Include an oral explanation of the student’s topic
- Projects are welcome in both Canadian official languages. Where available, all efforts will be made to provide adjudicators that speak French
- Be presented by only one student at the Provincial Fair. Students may prepare projects as a group, but must select one individual to present in advance at the Provincial Fair. Check with your Regional Coordinator as to the expectations for your particular Regional Fair
- Not contain profanity, racial/sexist remarks, or other potentially offensive matter
Creative Component:
In addition to the required elements listed above, projects should include at least one creative component that is appropriate to the topic. Before you decide on a creative component for your project, think about all of the possibilities: models, maps, dioramas, creative writing, original artwork, computer displays, videos, interviews, music, dance, drama, and anything else that lets you share your story about Canadian history. Requirements and criteria will depend on your teacher.
Creative components may be, but are not limited to, the following:
- Archival photographs – permission and information must be obtained from the museum, archives, or original owner
- Artistic displays – original visual artwork of the presenter
- Audio tapes – on standard audio cassette, including a title and credits
- Cartoons – black & white or colour
- 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
- Maps – that illustrate an event or theme in Canadian history
- Models and crafts – that demonstrate some aspect of family or Canadian heritage
- Music and dance – live performance or pre-taped
- 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
- Short Stories and Fictional Diary Entries
- TV or Movie Scripts
- Videos
Regional Coordinators can access detailed guidelines, as well as downloadable certificates to give to their students through the BC Heritage Fairs Google Drive.