Rules and Criteria

The Heritage Fair National Showcase celebrates outstanding student work in the Heritage Fair program, aimed at fostering a deep appreciation for Canadian history and heritage among young learners. Students are selected at Regional Heritage Fairs and will be celebrated online and in print by Canada’s History Society. By highlighting diverse historical topics and encouraging rigorous research and inquiry, the National Showcase not only recognizes student achievements but also promotes a greater understanding of Canada's rich history and heritage.

How it works

Selection at Regional Heritage Fairs: 

Students are selected from Regional Heritage Fairs to participate in the National Showcase. Regional Heritage Fairs must register their intent to participate with Canada’s History annually. Spaces for the National Showcase will be allocated by Canada’s History.

Regional Heritage Fair coordinators are responsible for selecting the projects based on the criteria below. Canada’s History will provide a medal and a welcome letter to the National Showcase participants. 

If you are a teacher doing Heritage Fairs in your classroom, but there is not a Regional Heritage Fair in your area, please contact Canada's History to discuss participation in the National Showcase.

Eligibility and Criteria 

Eligibility: 

All students participating in a Regional Heritage Fair are eligible for the National Showcase, provided that their project is about an aspect of Canadian history, heritage, or culture. Projects about contemporary people, events, and topics must make a strong connection to their history. 

Team projects of up to two students are eligible to participate and receive prizing. 

Projects can be submitted in English, French or bilingual formats.

The National Showcase is open to students in all grade levels. Please check any requirements for your Regional Heritage Fair.

Criteria: 

The National Showcase aims to highlight a diversity of topics and approaches to learning and sharing Canadian history, heritage, and culture.  Projects will be evaluated based on the following elements: 

  • Historical significance: Student has effectively communicated the historical significance of their topic. 
  • Inquiry: Student has developed a unique inquiry question to guide their research. 
  • Research: Student has considered a variety of evidence and perspectives in answering their inquiry or research question.
  • Special considerations: 
    • Student has gone “above and beyond” project requirements. For example, they have connected with historians, museums, or Elders and uncovered new research. 
    • Student has overcome challenges in the creation of their project (intellectual or physical disabilities, socio-economic barriers, for example). 
    • Student has made strong personal connection to their topic. 
    • The student has made a significant impact in their community with their project. 

How to register for the National Showcase

Once selected at their Regional Heritage Fair for the National Showcase, students must register with Canada’s History through the registration link: CanadasHistory.ca/NationalShowcaseRegistration.
 
Students must complete the short answer text and provide a thoughtful response to the following questions: 

  1. What was your topic and main inquiry question?
  2. Tell the story of your project in 100-300 words. Who were the key people and what were the main events? What was your final response to your inquiry question?
  3. What sources and evidence did you consult for your project? What different perspectives did they provide on your topic? 
  4. What is the historical significance of your topic? (What were the short- and long-term impacts of your topic? Who was affected and how? What changes took place?)
  5. Why did you choose this topic?
  6. Why do think it’s important to learn about Canadian history, heritage, or culture?
  7. What advice would you give to other students who are starting their Heritage Fair project?

Students will also be asked to provide: 

  • A signed permission form (required)
  • One photo of them standing in front of their project (required)
  • A link to any multimedia (podcast, video, website) created by the student.

Deadline: Students should register to participate in the National Showcase within two weeks of being selected at their Regional Heritage Fair. The final deadline to receive material is June 2, 2025.

Selection of National Showcase Winners 

Canada’s History will review all submissions to the National Showcase and select the final Showcase winners.

The total number of students selected as winners of the National Showcase may not exceed four (4). In the event that the judges wish to select a team submission, then either a) two individual winners may be selected or b) a second team submission may be selected. 

Prizing 

For 2025, all National Showcase participants will:

  • Receive a medal upon selection at their Regional Heritage Fair;
  • Have their names listed in an upcoming issue of Canada’s History magazine; and, 
  • Have their project featured in the National Showcase on the Canada’s History website. 

Four winners of the National Showcase will receive a $500 RESP and have their projects featured in Canada’s History magazine. They will also receive travel and accommodations for two to attend a gathering with the other National Showcase winners. 

People's Choice Prize

From June 9 to July 1, 2025, there will be an opportunity for the public to vote for their favourite project. On the day the vote launches, we will share a link to an external polling site. The three projects that receive the most votes will receive a special People’s Choice Prize – a $100 gift card for each project. Please note that this prize is separate from the one awarded to the four National Showcase winners. 

Questions?

Email us at HeritageFairs@CanadasHistory.ca. 

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