Vancouver Regional Historica Fair

Guide for teachers

Introduction

The Historica Fairs Program provides an opportunity to include your entire school community in an exciting educational event. Students are encouraged to explore themes or stories that are interesting and relevant to them. Their enthusiasm, creativity and passion create important learning opportunities; fabulous projects are inevitable!

The Fairs Program is successful because it is a cross-curricular activity that can meet learning outcomes in several subjects. Teachers from all departments (social sciences, humanities, literature, language and immersion, science and technology, fine arts) can encourage their students to learn more about history while developing and expressing creative talents.

Participation in a Fair can help teachers meet their teaching goals, provide recognition for student achievement, and satisfy curriculum requirements. Its model of project-based, hands-on learning helps teachers fulfill their curriculum requirements for critical thinking and research skills.

Teachers are the key to the success of the Fairs. They supervise the creation of student projects, organize School Fairs, and often volunteer at Regional Fairs.

The continued success of the Fairs depends on dedicated teachers and educators supported by a strong volunteer committee. By getting involved, you can help make history come alive for young Canadians!

School Based Fairs

There are many different ways to hold a School Historica Fair. Ideally, it will be a celebration that includes the entire school and acknowledges the achievements of all students. Although the Regional Historica Fair is only open to students in grades 4 to 9, all ages may create projects and participate in your School Fair.

Ideas and Suggestions

• Recruit parents and community leaders to be volunteer adjudicators, and train them in whatever adjudication system you have decided to use.
• Contact the Regional Fair Coordinator He or she may be able to provide trained adjudicators who will come to your school.
• Invite clubs and community groups to attend your Fair and set up displays that will educate the students about their community.
• Arrange for publicity, including your local paper and school newsletter.
• Allow time for all classes to view the student projects. When possible, keep your Fair open in the evening for parents and families to visit.
• Plan heritage-related activities for students that will supplement the Fair and sustain their interest in history once the event is over.
• Communicate Historica Fair information to all staff members.

Forms

Schools wishing to participate in the Historica Fairs program (even if they are not organizing a school-based fair) need to contact the Regional Fair Coordinator

Resources

The Historica teacher resource kit can be found on the Historica Website .

Regional Fair

Whatever type of School Fair you have held (competitive or display), each school is responsible for selecting its student projects that will attend the Regional Fair in Vancouver. The following guidelines may help your selection:

• Choose a variety of project topics.
• Choose a variety of student ages and sexes.
• Choose projects that are innovative and creative.
• Choose projects that are visually stimulating and attractive.
• Choose projects that demonstrate the excellence of your school.
• Choose students who are willing to attend for both days of the fair.

Once you have selected your student delegates for the Regional Fair, be sure to name at least three students as alternates, in case of illness or in the event that additional student placements become available at the Regional level.

Forms

Have each student complete the following forms. Ensure that all forms are submitted by the deadline.

1. Student Project Registration Form
2. Written Project Summary
3. Student Code of Conduct Agreement

These forms can be found here.

B.C. Provincial Fair

New this year is the British Columbia Provincial Heritage Fair May 29- June 1, 2008 in Kamloops B.C. Click here for more information.

National Fair

The culmination of the Historica Fairs Program is the National Historica Fair, held every July in a different Canadian city. In 2008 the National Historica Fair will be held in Victoria, B.C. from July 7 to 14, 2008. Click here for more information.

The National Fair is a truly national event that inspires lasting memories, new friendships, and experiences. It creates and strengthens connections between Canadians. Students representing all provinces and territories take part in a special week of sightseeing, historic tours, hands-on workshops, and special events. During the one-day public exhibition, students proudly share their outstanding history projects with the general public and with each other. The National Fair is a unique opportunity for students to learn about a specific region of Canada and to interact and establish friendships with young people from a diversity of backgrounds. For a virtual experience of the National Fair, check out the Heritage Press e-zine!

Information For Parents

These guidelines will answer most questions about the National Historica Fair. Parents should be aware that:

• More information about the National Fair and the National Fair Participant Agreement is available on the Historica website
• By entering the Regional Historica Fair in Vancouver, their child is submitting a project that may be selected for the National Fair.
• In order to be considered for selection to the National Fair Delegation, students must attend the Regional Fair for both full days.
• ALL DECISIONS MADE BY REGIONAL FAIR STAFF ARE FINAL.
• Students attending the National Fair will be under the supervision of chaperones selected by the B.C. Regional Historica Fair Committee.
• When necessary, it is the parent's responsibility to pack and ship the student's project to the National Fair (well in advance of the Fair dates).
• Student places at the National Fair cannot be negotiated or purchased - the Historica Foundation designs this program for 15 students from each province only, and will not accept more under any circumstances.
• Parents must transport students to the point of departure for the National Fair.
• All costs from the point of departure, including student transportation, accommodation, and meals, will be paid by the Historica Foundation.
• Students at the National Fair are kept in a "closed campus" environment, which means that parents, relatives and friends will not be able to see the students during the week.
• Parents and friends may visit the one-day National Historica Fair Exposition, but may not participate in any other National Fair activities.