Student Resources for Regional Heritage Fair

Getting Involved in Heritage Fair

The Prince George Regional Heritage Fair is scheduled for Friday, May 10, 2024. Your teacher must register your class for the Regional Heritage Fair; a limited number of projects from each class may be nominated to attend the Regional Fair.

You do not need to complete your project as part of a class project to participate. If your school is not participating, have your parent contact the Regional Coordinator to get involved.

Class Registration Deadline: Tuesday, April 9, 2024

Class Registration Form - (Your teacher or parent will complete this form)

Student Registration Deadline: Friday, April 26, 2024

Your teacher will send your parents the link to the Student Registration Form.
You must be in Grades 4 to 10 to participate in the Regional and Provincial Fairs.

Tips for Creating a Great Project

Teacher

Resources

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 a lot of different sources – check the library and the Internet but try to talk to different people as well. There may be someone in your community who is an expert on your topic or has firsthand information about it.
It is fine to ask your parents, teachers and other adults to help with your project, but be sure that you fully understand all the information that you include. The work must be YOURS! You must be able to share the stories you have learned with judges and the public at the Fair. You will be interviewed, and you are expected to answer a variety of questions on your topic.
Before you decide on a creative component for your project, think about all the possibilities: models, maps, dioramas, creative writing, original artwork, computer displays, videos, interviews, music, dance, drama…and many other ideas.

Be prepared to answer questions about your project, both the facts and about why you chose your topic and the format. You may also be asked how your project connects to Canadian history.
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 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. If your project depends on a computer, download all of your components onto the computer before the Fair, as there may not be internet access.
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 or Provincial Fairs, you may need to pack up your project for transporting a few times.
Think carefully about including valuable or irreplaceable items in your project. Instead, consider using photographs of expensive items, placing fragile objects under a glass or plastic cover for protection, or creating a model of the item.

Project Formats

Use your creativity to share your story about Canadian history. The best projects will be multi sensory, not just visual. Creative components may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Artistic displays – original visual artwork of the presenter
Collections – historic or modern, with some historical relevance
Computer displays – designed and created by students with minimal technical support
Drama and skits – live or recorded 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
Photographs – original photographic work or photos with proper permission and citation
Music, dance, or drams – live or recorded performance, maximum length 15 minutes
Poetry – original written work of the presenter
Short stories and fictional diary entries – 2-11 pages long, typed or handwritten

Most projects are displayed on three-paneled cardboard backings, and are laid out like the example diagram shown here. Tri-fold display boards can be purchased at retailers such as Walmart and Staples. Students may also create their own.

Project Requirements

Projects must have a Canadian theme: Indigenous, local, provincial, regional, or national history or heritage can be researched; personal family histories are permitted, however the project should focus on the reasons for coming to and their family’s experience in Canada, as opposed to being a research project on the country of origin.
Projects must NOT be expensive to produce: basic supplies like poster boards, coloured paper and art/craft materials should be the only cost. A/V components are permitted. If a student's project uses technological components, the student must provide all necessary equipment (computer, extension cord, etc).
Projects must include title, credits, and bibliography: photographs must be properly credited. Any person/organization clearly identifiable in a presentation must give their permission. A bibliography is required.
Projects must avoid profanity, racial/sexist remarks or other potentially offensive matter.
Projects must be free standing: this includes all displays and backboards, as there is no wall access. A commercially produced display board is the correct size format. The project board should not exceed 80cm deep, 100cm wide and 100cm high. If students wish to construct models, etc. they should be aware that for display purposes, they are limited to 100cm wide space - they may add to their display by expanding upward and forward.
Projects must be accompanied by:
- written research undertaken over the course of the project (approx. one page per grade level), either incorporated into the display or in a research journal,
- a bibliography,
- abbreviated written summary and/or journal of the research journey.
Students may prepare projects as individuals, in pairs or in groups. Due to space constraints, the number of projects per class and student representatives will be limited at the Regional Fair. Group or partner projects may be presented by only one student at the Provincial Fair. Please select this individual when registering for the Regional Fair.
Teachers should ensure that projects are historically accurate and encourage projects from all disciplines in a wide variety of formats.
Projects are the responsibility of the participants. The Heritage Fair is not responsible for any projects lost, stolen or damaged while left unattended.
Creative and unique projects are encouraged. Projects in a wide variety of formats are acceptable.
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 their topic.
Projects are welcome in both official languages. Projects entered in French will be judged accordingly, but students are encouraged to briefly summarize their research in English. The PG Regional Heritage Fair will do its best to ensure that French speaking judges are available to judge French projects but cannot guarantee that will be the case.
Each project must be clearly labeled with the student’s name, school, and grade in the bottom right corner of the display.

Project Resources

Information for Teachers

Project Topic Ideas (pdf)

More student resources from the BC Heritage Fairs Society

Tips for creating successful Heritage Fair projects from Heritage Fair alumni

Research Resources

Prince George Historic Newspapers at PG Public Library

Prince George Public Library Online Resources

Prince George Area Museums Collections Database

Northern BC Archives at UNBC

Galleries and Collections at The Exploration Place

Royal BC Museum Collections

The Canadian Encyclopedia

History information from Huble Homestead Historic Site (on the right side of the menu at the top of this page)

Links and Resources from The Exploration Place

The Prince George Regional Heritage Fair is presented by:

BC Heritage Fairs Society | Central BC Railway & Forestry Museum | The Exploration Place

Huble Homestead Historic Site | The Prince George Public Library

Student Resources for Regional Heritage Fair

Getting Involved in Heritage Fair

Class Registration Form - (Your teacher or parent will complete this form)

Student Registration Deadline: Friday, April 26, 2024

Your teacher will send your parents the link to the Student Registration Form.

You must be in Grades 4 to 10 to participate in the Regional and Provincial Fairs.

​

Tips for Creating a Great Project

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 a lot of different sources – check the library and the Internet but try to talk to different people as well. There may be someone in your community who is an expert on your topic or has firsthand information about it.

Before you decide on a creative component for your project, think about all the possibilities: models, maps, dioramas, creative writing, original artwork, computer displays, videos, interviews, music, dance, drama…and many other ideas.

Be prepared to answer questions about your project, both the facts and about why you chose your topic and the format. You may also be asked how your project connects to Canadian history.

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 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. If your project depends on a computer, download all of your components onto the computer before the Fair, as there may not be internet access.

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 or Provincial Fairs, you may need to pack up your project for transporting a few times.

Think carefully about including valuable or irreplaceable items in your project. Instead, consider using photographs of expensive items, placing fragile objects under a glass or plastic cover for protection, or creating a model of the item.

Project Formats

Project Requirements

Project Resources

Research Resources