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There are few things more satisfying to an educator than watching students find something that they can pour all their excitement and passion into. You can see their faces light up when they’re given the chance to talk about something that inspires them, and that excitement can be infectious for delighted family members and teachers who serve as their audience. Over the last couple of weeks working as a Heritage Fairs Assistant with Heritage Saskatchewan, I can say this has been a common sight for me in school gymnasiums across Saskatchewan as thousands of students have taken part in our Regional Heritage Fair program. Yorkton Community Heritage Fair, Regina Regional Heritage Fair, Moose Jaw Regional Heritage Fair, Saskatoon Regional Heritage Fair, and our Virtual Fair have all provided amazing opportunities for students to share their research and showcase their presentation skills. It has been a pleasure being part of the planning process and getting to meet so many enthusiastic students at the school level fairs around Saskatoon and those from other regions at the Regional Fairs.

The Heritage Fairs program is an excellent way for students in grades 4 to 8 to develop research, critical thinking, speaking, and presentation skills. These skills will follow them into adulthood, allowing them to succeed in their professional careers as well as helping them pursue personal passions and interests. Students were so excited about their topics, which included Canadian sports teams and athletes, scientists, animals, their family history, historic events, and the list goes on. The possible topics are endless. The students put so much work into both the content and the appearance of their presentations, with many constructing intricate models, creating art, and writing stories and poems. Through these projects students get to learn something new or share something that they are passionate about with others. This was not just another educational event for these students, I could tell by the energy and excitement in the room, that these students really enjoy creating and sharing their projects.

The topics covered at these fairs exhibit the range of Canadian identity, from contemporary to historic topics. Not only do the students become familiar with the stories, cultures, and people who make us uniquely Canadian, they get to share their enthusiasm and knowledge with the public. We thank all the students, teachers, and parents for their hard work.

Thank you to all the volunteers for helping make these events a success. Congratulations to all the winners! I have learned so much from so many students this year, and I’m looking forward to seeing all the finalists at the Provincial Heritage Fair on June 4th.