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| The Heritage Fair Program
website explains that it is, "... a multi-media
initiative developed to increase public awareness and
interest in Canadian history. The Ontario
Heritage Fairs Association offers students the
opportunity to explore the many aspects of their
Canadian heritage in a dynamic learning environment
and to present the results of their efforts in either
French or English in a public exhibitions. The program
is non-competitive in nature, with an emphasis on the
importance of the learning process and the exchange of
ideas." The first fair was held in
Kingston, Ontario, in 1995. By 1999 there were six
fairs in Ontario but now there are 21 Regional sites
involving 100,000 Ontario students and 3,000 community
volunteers. The goals of the program are to: - To heighten awareness of our heritage - To promote the variety and uniqueness of our heritage - To create an exciting learning environment for students - To encourage individuals and communities to celebrate their part in Canada’s history and learn more about their collective identity and citizenship. In many ways it resembles the Science Fair format with children displaying their presentations on backboards with additional displays of models, costumes, music or various artifacts. The displays are adjudicated and the best of the presentations do progress to a Provincial Fair. The school first got involved in 1999 after it became part of the Rainbow District School Board. Mr Anderson's class represented the school in the Sudbury Regional Heritage Fair. The project that year was the history of A. B. Ellis Public School and their presentation included this model that they built of the building.   |