A Digital History Book?

Interested in finding out more about the Young Citizens program? A recent CTV News feature highlights how the next generation of tech savvy kids are showcasing Canadian history using digital media while also demonstrating their own creativity, ingenuity and insight on a wide range of topics. Click here and see if you can spot some of our Richmond-Delta student videos in the news report!

Don't forget - there is only one more week until the polls close on July 11 so make sure to show our students Matthias, Siya, Vedanshi and Veronica your support by voting for your favourite videos here!

2014 Provincial Heritage Fair in Kamloops

Group shot at Kamloops Lake lookout (from BC Heritage Fairs Alumni blog)

Congratulations to all students participating in the 2014 Kamloops Provincial Heritage Fair this week! Our Richmond-Delta ambassadors - Yonatan, Veronica, Vedanshi, Dania, Jasneet, Justin, alumni Jolie and chaperone Faye - are having blast at the BC Provincial Heritage Fair in Kamloops. Each of the 6 alumni representatives from around the province have been blogging about their experiences - follow their adventures here!

Learning to make mini First Nations drums (from BC Heritage Fairs Alumni blog)

This 4 day event, running from June 29 to July 2, is an opportunity for students to not only showcase their knowledge about Canada's history but also make memories and new connections. So far students have discovered Shuswap Culture at the Hat Creek Historic Ranch, the Ashcroft Museum, and Logan Lake. They also participated in the Canada Day celebrations at Riverside Park, which included a front row seat at the opening ceremonies, talking to the public about their topics in the project pavilion, and of course, fireworks! Look for upcoming blog posts from the alumni and the Provincial Fair Coordinator about today's exploration of local heritage sites and the closing ceremonies of the 7th annual Provincial Heritage Fair.

Gold and river ruby panning at Hat Creek Historic Ranch (from BC Heritage Fairs Alumni blog)

Our Young Citizens Spotlight Series - Veronica

Today's Young Citizen's video is on Alice Munro by Veronica from the Richmond School District.

Vote for Veronica's Young Citizens video here!

Veronica's project focuses on the life and literary career of Noble Prize winner Alice Munro.

During her research, the most interesting thing that Veronica learned about her topic was about Alice's childhood. Although her mom had Parkinson's Disease, Alice was still able to get a scholarship to the Western Ontario University.

Don't forget to vote for your favourite video – voting ends on July 11!

Our Young Citizens Spotlight Series - Vedanshi

Today's Young Citizen's video is on the history of rapid transit in Metro Vancouver by Vedanshi from the Richmond School District.

Vote for Vedanshi's Young Citizens video here!

Vedanshi's project examines the history of rapid transit in Metro Vancouver with a focus on the hard work that made it possible for these rapid transit projects to have a place on the world stage. 

The most interesting thing that Vedanshi learning while researching her topic was the significant role that rapid transit played in the urban development of Metro Vancouver.

Don't forget to vote for your favourite videos – voting ends on July 11!

Our Young Citizens Spotlight Series - Siya

Today's Young Citizen's video is on Sikh Family History by Siya from the Delta School District.

Vote for Siya's Young Citizen video here!

Siya's project is about her family history and Sikh immigration. Her great, great grandfather was the first in her family to come to Canada in 1907. 

During her research, the most interesting things Siya learned was about her first family member to come to Canada, her great great grandfather. She did not know that someone in her family came so early, in 1907, and she found learning all about him was so interesting, especially looking at the stamps in the passport, which showed how hard travel was at that time. 

Don't forget to vote for your favourite video - voting ends on July 11!

Our Young Citizens Spotlight Series - Matthias

Today's Young Citizen's video is on Blacksmithing by Matthias from the Delta School District.

Vote for Matthias' Young Citizen video here!

Matthias was interested in doing his project on blacksmithing because his great great grandpa worked as a blacksmith. He was very interested in learning about the different tools blacksmiths used in their work.

The most interesting thing that Matthias learned while doing research for his project was how important blacksmiths were because they made things for people to use and repaired tools that pioneers needed to work and live.

Don't forget to vote for your favourite videos – voting ends on July 11!

Our Young Citizens Spotlight Series

In addition to participating in this year's Richmond-Delta Regional Heritage Fair, students had the opportunity to take part in the Young Citizens program. This Canada-wide program encourages students to create a short (3-4 minutes) video about their Heritage Fair project topic. These videos are posted online for the public to vote on and the top 30 video are then reviewed by a panel of judges. The top six students selected by the judges are given the opportunity to travel to Ottawa to attend the Governor's General's History Awards and have their films shown at the Canada's National History Forum in November.

Four students from the Richmond and Delta school districts are participating in the 2014 Young Citizens program. Each day this week, we will be featuring a blog post on one of our four Young Citizens video participants so make sure to check in every day to learn more about each of the student's projects and follow the link to view their videos!

As there are over 140 participants in the Young Citizens program this year, support our Richmond-Delta Heritage Fair participants by voting for your favourite videos. Voting begins today (June 17) and continues until July 11, 2014!