What’s the Story? Supporting Inquiry through Heritage Fairs

Canada’s History, in partnership with Thinking Historically for Canada’s Future, is pleased to introduce a new professional development series for teachers participating in the Heritage Fair program.

The Heritage Fair program was created in 1993 and provides a unique opportunity for students to engage deeply with history through inquiry-based research and to share their learning at community-based events.

This series is designed to provide teachers with tools and strategies for helping students select meaningful topics, design strong inquiry questions, and locate and analyze relevant evidence. Teachers will also learn how to assess Heritage Fair projects effectively.

The series will feature four, 90-minute sessions from October–December. The series will be hosted online, via Zoom and is also available in French.

The cost is $100 + GST to attend. Participants will have access to the session recordings and any resources shared.

Schedule:

English-language sessions will take place on Wednesdays from 7:00–8:30 pm Eastern (Oct. 30, Nov. 13, Nov. 27, and Dec. 11).

• Session 1: October 30 — 
Introduction to Heritage Fairs and Inquiry
• Session 2: November 13 — 
Exploring and Assessing Evidence
• Session 3: November 27
 — Synthesizing Research and Drawing Conclusions
• Session 4: December 11
 — Assessment Strategies

Cost:

$100 + GST

Resources:

The first fifty (50) paid participants will receive a Heritage Fair classroom kit, which includes print copies of What’s the Story? — a youth publication to support inquiry — classroom posters, and access to digital resources. Participants will also have access to any recordings, presentations, and resources shared during the series.

Participants who complete the series will also have opportunity to apply to attend a fully-funded in-person meeting of Heritage Fair teachers, tentatively scheduled for April 2025 in Ottawa. More details will be provided.

Registration:

There are two steps to complete your registration.

Please complete the information form with your contact information. After you have submitted your information, you will receive an email confirmation with a link to complete your payment online. If you have any questions please contact Brooke Campbell.