When I first started working at Grey Roots I had no idea what a Heritage Fair was about. I had experienced Science Fair in elementary school but as I learned what Heritage Fair involved, I was completely blown away by the program.
Heritage Fair is so much more than a speech, which itself is an important rite of passage which helps students to become better public speakers. Heritage Fair allows each student to draw on their own skills and interests to create a presentation that is the whole package. A presentation board can be complemented with models, as well as visuals and even hands-on items, graphs, maps, videos, artwork, all manner of items connected to the topic. What the student chooses to do to supplement their research is completely up to them.
As an elementary student standing up in front of the classroom giving a speech was terrifying. With Heritage Fair, delegates are adjudicated one-on-one by qualified members of the community. It is really more a conversation than a memorized speech. I hear each year from both delegates and adjudicators how they learn something new through each interaction. That is one of the most rewarding things parts of Heritage Fair. It shows our local students that even as adults we love to keep learning new things and it really is okay to love history.
As an educator, I am able to look at the new curriculum and see the various ways we can partner seamlessly with Heritage Fair program. Introducing students now to primary source information and documents through our Archives will assist them in future research endeavors. I entered my first archive in university and now, knowing what amazing resource primary source information is, I encourage all elementary students to experience it. Every student who participates at the school level for the Grey Roots Regional Heritage Fair can access the Grey Roots Archives for free. This experience will teach them the value of an Archive not only now but far into their future.
We really appreciate and respect each teacher who has worked with us through the Heritage Fair program. It can be hard to work with a classroom of students completing what are essentially independent studies but, each of these teachers have put a lot of effort and personal time into helping their students to see it to completion. Without these amazing and dedicated teachers, we could not continue to offer these important programs. On behalf of Grey Roots and all of our participants, we offer a huge thank you for your support and all you do.
As a member of this community I cannot help but be proud of the hard work the students put into their projects in order to become a Grey Roots Regional Heritage Fair delegate. Being a part of this program recognizes dedication learning and history; it is one of the favourite things about my job.
Grey Roots cannot do all of this without the continued enthusiasm of several community members, groups and businesses. All of our adjudicators are volunteers and almost all of our awards are donated locally or provincially. We are very lucky that so many generous people and groups in Grey-Bruce see the importance of such a program.
In 2014, we are happy to announce there will be a Provincial Showcase in Toronto during the month of June for the successful delegates. Grey Roots will need even more community assistance to raise funds to transport our delegates to and from Toronto. If you or someone you know may be able to offer funds or in-kind donations to support this amazing opportunity do so knowing that such support will allow us to continue to offer the Regional and Provincial Fair at no cost to students.
If you would like to support this program or would like more information please contact Laura Watt at 519-376-3690 extension 6128.
Laura Watt, Heritage Interpretation
Grey Roots Museum & Archives Blog 