The AHSM History Project

The AHSM History Project is my Grade 10 Canadian history course culminating task. It is a hands-on learning experience that encourages active citizenship through community engage within students’ community, while further developing their historical inquiry and thinking skills.

First, students are given a choice: they can either get involved with a community organization outside the school, or get involved with our Ancaster High School Museum (AHSM) within the school.

If they choose a community organization outside of the school, then their participation in that organization takes place off-campus, outside of school hours, in partnership with that organization. It is similar to the idea of a co-op program placement and is organized on a case-by-case basis. Regardless of where and how students may choose to get involved in their community, their placement must connect active citizenship and historical study, which can include studying the history of an organization and its work in the community.

If they choose to get involved within the school, then they are choosing to get involved with the Ancaster High School Museum. It is a student-curated history museum that opens to the community for a limited time each semester. Classes within the school are encouraged to come visit the museum, as well as outside community members. Students contribute to the museum with an individual display for the museum, and can participate in its planning, design and staffing.

Significant class time is invested into this project to support its success. It is introduced at the beginning of the semester, and every Monday is a work period to facilitate its work.