Professional Development Sessions

Provincial Heritage Fair – June 12, 2026 St. Mary’s University, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Supporting Teachers Through Heritage Fair

The Nova Scotia Heritage Fair program invites students through grades 4 to 9 to explore Canadian history, heritage, identity, and community through inquiry, research, critical thinking, and communication. Heritage Fair can be much more than a single project — it can become a rich, cross-curricular learning experience that supports Language Arts, Social Studies, research skills, media literacy, and citizenship education.

To support teachers at different stages of their Heritage Fair journey, two  professional development opportunities will be offered during the Provincial Heritage Fair at St. Mary’s University on June 12, 2026.

These sessions are designed to:

  • Support teachers who are new to Heritage Fair
  • Provide practical classroom-ready strategies
  • Explore Heritage Fair as a Language Arts and inquiry-based learning unit
  • Build teacher confidence in facilitating student research and presentations
  • Share strategies for scaffolding student learning
  • Create opportunities for collaboration and professional discussion

There is no registration fee for either session.

Links

Session 1 – Heritage Fair 101

Morning Session
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

This introductory session is designed for teachers who are new to Heritage Fair or those looking to strengthen and refresh their current program.

Participants will explore the newly developed Heritage Fair Guide and discuss practical ways to implement Heritage Fair in the classroom as a Language Arts and inquiry-based learning unit.

The session will combine guided exploration, discussion, and collaborative planning opportunities with fellow educators.

Topics May Include

  • What Heritage Fair is and how it works
  • Organizing Heritage Fair in the classroom
  • Using Heritage Fair to support Language Arts outcomes
  • Research and note-taking strategies
  • Supporting student inquiry and topic selection
  • Presentation formats and student communication
  • Assessment ideas and classroom management strategies
  • Building student engagement and confidence
  • Connecting Heritage Fair to curriculum outcomes

Session Format

The morning session will include:

  • Guided walkthroughs of the Heritage Fair Guide
  • Practical classroom examples
  • Discussion and collaboration with colleagues
  • Opportunities to ask questions and share ideas
  • Time for planning and reflection

This session is intended to provide teachers with practical tools and increased confidence to begin or strengthen Heritage Fair programming in their schools.

Session 2 – Enhancing Your Heritage Fair Program

Afternoon Session
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

This afternoon professional development opportunity is intended for schools with students participating in the Provincial Heritage Fair.

Due to space considerations, schools are asked to send a maximum of one teacher representative.

The afternoon session will feature two focused workshops designed to help teachers deepen student thinking, scaffold inquiry, and strengthen student engagement within Heritage Fair projects.

Workshop 1 – Scaffolding Student Learning in Heritage Fair

Featuring Dr. Lindsay Gibson

Through a live virtual presentation, Dr. Lindsay Gibson from the University of British Columbia will lead an online session focused on scaffolding student learning throughout the Heritage Fair process.

Using selected TC² tools and inquiry-based approaches, participants will explore ways to:

  • Support student historical thinking
  • Structure inquiry and research experiences
  • Scaffold critical thinking and analysis
  • Help students move beyond fact collection toward deeper understanding
  • Encourage perspective-taking and evidence-based conclusions
  • Differentiate support for diverse learners

Teachers will gain practical instructional strategies that can be adapted for a variety of grade levels and classroom contexts.

Workshop 2 – Artifact Analysis Through Modeling

This interactive workshop will model how teachers can guide students through artifact analysis activities as part of Heritage Fair research and presentation development.

Participants will explore:

  • How artifacts can support historical inquiry
  • Questioning strategies for artifact analysis
  • Observation versus interpretation
  • Connecting artifacts to historical context
  • Encouraging student curiosity and evidence-based thinking
  • Strategies for classroom implementation

The session will model approaches teachers can directly adapt for use with students.

Session Details and Logistics

There is no cost to attend these professional development sessions.

Schools and/or participants will be responsible for arranging any necessary release time or attendance-related supports through their usual local processes.

Location Information

Venue

St. Mary’s University Halifax, Nova Scotia

Additional information regarding parking, campus locations, and session rooms will be shared with registered participants closer to the event date.

Registration Information

Additional registration information will be distributed through appropriate Heritage Fair and educational channels.

Please note:

  • The morning session is open to teachers interested in learning more about Heritage Fair
  • The afternoon session is intended for schools participating in the Provincial Heritage
  • Schools are asked to limit afternoon attendance to one teacher

Why Heritage Fair?

Heritage Fair provides students with opportunities to:

  • Explore meaningful topics connected to history, identity, and community
  • Develop research and inquiry skills
  • Practice critical thinking and analysis
  • Strengthen oral and written communication
  • Engage with perspectives and experiences from the past and present
  • Build confidence through presentation and discussion
  • Connect classroom learning to real-world stories and experiences

For teachers, Heritage Fair offers a flexible and engaging framework that supports interdisciplinary learning while promoting student voice, curiosity, and creativity.

We look forward to welcoming educators from across Nova Scotia for a day of collaboration, professional learning, and celebration of student inquiry through Heritage Fair.

If you are planning to attend, please confirm attendance by June 1st through contacting Colin E. MacKenzie at cmackenz@gnspes.ca

We respectfully acknowledge that we are on the traditional and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq, known as Mi’kma’ki. Despite colonization and the renaming of this land by settlers, Mi’kma’ki remains home to diverse histories, cultures, and the ongoing stewardship of the Mi’kmaq people. They continue to care for and advocate for this land’s well-being, as they have for generations.

Many of us now call this place home due to immigration over the past centuries. Despite the hardships of colonization, the Mi’kmaq have shown resilience and, in many cases, extended hospitality. We recognize their strength and extend our deep gratitude for their stewardship of this land, both in the past and today. As we reflect on the injustices of the past and their lasting impacts, we reaffirm our commitment to reconciliation and recognize that we are all Treaty people.

© Copyright 2026 NS Provincial Heritage Fairs Society. All Rights Reserved.
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