IF you've ever wondered about the history of the Pacific National Exhibition, the Lynn Valley log flume or legendary North Vancouver mountaineer Phyllis Munday, you might get answers from some local kids.
These are the topics of just a few of the 50 student history projects that will be on display at Lynn Valley Main Library and Village as part of the 12th annual Sea to Sky Regional Heritage Fair Friday, May 10.
Sponsored by the North Vancouver Museum and Archives, the fair offers Grade 4 to 10 students from West Vancouver, North Vancouver and Squamish the opportunity to showcase research projects relating to personal, local, provincial, regional or Canadian history.
"They get to meet other students from all over the region and it's hopefully this fun and very educational day," said museum education programmer Kelsey Beaudry.
In addition to viewing each other's work, participating students will also have the chance to take part in a variety of history-related workshops.
"There's a workshop about how to use the archives at the museum, there's a workshop on the War of 1812 this year, and a First Nations workshop where they get to make medicine bags," Beaudry said.
The projects on display at the regional fair have been selected from individual school heritage fairs. At the regional event, a panel of judges will choose one project from each grade to attend the 2013 Provincial Heritage Fair in Victoria this July. Judges will be looking for evidence that the students conducted thorough research.
"Hopefully they went beyond the Internet and Wikipedia," Beaudry said, explaining many participants consult books, conduct interviews, visit the archives and take advantage of other community resources.
Judges will also be evaluating the historical significance of each student's project.
"We want (the students) to be able to identify why their project is important to learn, and how it links to the overall story of Canada and the development of Canada and the development of their region's history," Beaudry said.
"We're trying to promote Canadian heritage and we're trying to inspire students to feel passionate about history and passionate about research."
The public is invited to browse the projects in a fair-like atmosphere featuring music, dance and history-based activities for all ages from 68: 30 p.m.
