Government of Canada History Awards for High School Students and Teachers

There’s still one month left to enter the Government of Canada History Awards, with more than $285,000 in awards available for students and teachers.

According to a press release from Canada’s History, teachers can submit their best high school level projects related to Confederation, the First World War, and Aboriginal History for a chance at one of 30 awards of $2,000 each.

Grade 10 and 11 students can submit their best essay answers to one of five challenging questions. For every 10 students that participate another prize can be awarded, up to 225 prizes of $1,000 each. If you are a secondary school teacher, get your students writing one of five challenging essay questions:

1. Why were the Charlottetown and Québec Conferences in 1864 successful in laying the foundation for Confederation? Several individuals and groups have been credited as the key to achieving this success. Who was the most significant?
2. To what extent should governments today take responsibility for the actions of governments in the past? Use one specific case to explore and explain your position. Support your answer with evidence.
3. Many historians have called the raising of the Canadian Expeditionary Force and creation of the Canadian Corps during the First World War the nation’s greatest achievement since Confederation. Do you agree? Support your position with evidence.
4. Commemorations of the War of 1812, Confederation, and the Battle of Vimy Ridge, all fall within a few years of each other. Each of them has been called the “true” origin of Canada. Which, if any, most deserves that description? Why?
5. The Second World War was a turning point in Canada’s attitude towards human rights policies affecting poverty, women, health, First Nations, race, and immigration. To what extent do you agree with this statement? Defend your answer.

For more information on the Government of Canada History Awards, click here.