Resources for Students Creating a Heritage Fair Project
Are you excited to start your Heritage Fair project, but not sure exactly where to start, or even what the creation of a Fair project involves? Below you’ll find step-by-step guidelines to help you plan your project, as well as some useful tips, advice, and access to invaluable resources to assist you along the way. Additional resources can be found on the BC Heritage Fairs Google Drive.
Step 1. Select Your Topic
Canadian history is incredibly interesting. Selecting just one topic from across our country or within your own community or family can be tough as there are so many options to choose from! Your topic should explore an event, person, or trend in Canadian history that interests you enough to spend several weeks studying it.
Narrow down your search for the perfect topic by keeping these three simple questions in mind:
- What interests you? Start with your own interests and list them (as many as you can), and then rank them to come up with one or two that are the most compelling. Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box!
- Can you back it up? Make sure that your topic has lots of sources, both primary and secondary. Think about where and if you can find information on your topic, and if you can get artifacts to use in your display.
- Is it important? Even a very local or family topic can be important if you can link it to a larger story in Canadian history.
Step 2. Research
Once you’ve selected your topic and have a good idea of how and where you are going to find your information, you can start digging deeper. You will use your research notes to prepare your written report and presentation so ensure that you:
- Take your time with the research stage of your project
- Make clear, organized research notes as you work
- Keep careful track of where you found your information (bibliography)
1. Develop a Research Question
The best Heritage Fairs projects begin with a research question to which you try to find an answer. Show your question ideas to your teacher or librarian before you start researching.
2. Researching Sources
You may use a variety of sources for your research (books, interviews, magazine articles, the Internet, newspapers, etc.), but remember to keep track of where you find your information, and ensure that the work you are including is yours. You can also ask your parents, teachers, and other adults to help with your project, but be sure that you fully understand the information they provide and always include it in your own words.
- Primary Sources
For your Heritage Fairs project, you will need to learn from a wide variety of sources. Some of these should be “left-behind traces”, what we call primary sources. A primary source is a document such as a letter or an object like clothing, which was written or created during the time under study. - Secondary Sources
A secondary source interprets and analyzes primary sources. Secondary sources are one or more steps removed from the past event. - Using Artificial Intelligence (AI)
While AI can be a useful tool when used correctly, it can quickly take over your work; it is important that the project you create speaks to your abilities! Make sure to ask a teacher, librarian, or parent for guidance when using AI tools.
Step 3. Final Project
Heritage Fair projects can take many different forms, the most common of which is a poster board. Students are also welcome to do powerpoints, and display their creativity through art, storytelling, videos, or more. Your project should include a mix of writing and other mediums such as pictures, artifacts, diaries, interviews, and anything else that you think might catch your audience’s attention.
With poster boards, it is especially important to make sure your project is pleasing to look at. Having your writing arranged neatly on the board, and offset with pictures or colours can make your research stand out.
Make sure to always proofread your work, and to include a bibliography in order to give credit to the sources you have used. Teachers may have specific expectations, so always check the criteria sheet you have been given.
Step 4. Presentation
School, Regional, and Provincial Fairs are the time to celebrate all of the hard work that you have done, and share your enthusiasm and knowledge with others!
School and Regional Fairs often involve a 2-3 minute presentation where you get to speak on your topic, followed by an interview where you will answer questions about it. Preparing for your presentation and your interview will boost your confidence, and help ease your nerves.
Presentation Tips
- Don’t leave it to the last minute – Give yourself lots of time to prepare and practice your presentation.
- Practice, practice, practice – Use cue cards and practice in front of a mirror, and speak in front of friends and family as many times as you can. The more comfortable that you are in front of an audience, the more interested they will be in your story.
- Be prepared – Ensure that your cue cards are prepared; your outfit is neat and clean; and your display is organized, secure, and ready for action.
- Take your time – Take a deep breath, relax, and speak slowly and clearly. When you reach a comma, period, paragraph break, and especially a new section, let yourself stop and take another breath before you continue on.
- Enjoy the moment – You’ve put a lot of time into your presentation, so allow yourself – and your audience – to enjoy it.