Hanover Students & Educators Finalists for Premier Canadian History Teaching Award
Grey Roots Museum hosts Bringing History to Life, an interactive WWI project by JDSS students that's been named a finalist for the Governor General’s Award, showcasing innovative history education.
A group of history students and educators from École John Diefenbaker Senior School in Hanover have earned national recognition.
Their innovative project, Bringing History to Life: WWI Project by JDSS Students, has been selected as one of the top 20 finalists for the prestigious Governor General’s Award for Excellence in Teaching Canadian History.
In this project, Grade 10 students harnessed the power of ArcGIS Story Maps to uncover and present the lives of local World War I soldiers who enlisted from the West Grey area.
The result is a compelling digital archive that combines personnel files with rich visuals, audio, and geospatial storytelling, all hosted on GreyRoots.com.
Under the guidance of educators Jennifer Morris and Hillary Weppler from the Bluewater District School Board, students Lily B., Cameron E., Rileigh L., Ava A., Georgia P., Evan M., and Ryder M. collaborated to breathe new life into century-old histories.
Their Story Maps trace soldiers’ movements from enlistment through deployment, crafting immersive narratives that highlight individual experiences within the broader sweep of Canadian military history.
According to a statement from Grey County, ArcGIS Story Maps enabled students to integrate maps with multimedia content—photos, documents, and text—resulting in an engaging and interactive format.
“This year, students took traditional archival research to the next level using advanced mapping and storytelling tools,” explained Morris. “The combination of technology and history created a deeper connection to the personal stories behind the names.”
The project’s nomination for the Governor General’s Award underscores its educational significance and creative impact. The award celebrates excellence in teaching Canadian history across the country, and being named a finalist places the JDSS initiative among the most compelling history education programs in Canada.
Visitors can explore the project by visiting GreyRoots.com, where each interactive Story Map allows users to click a soldier’s name to uncover their journey and legacy.
It’s great to see the study of history taking place in such an innovative and engaging way. Kudos to the teachers and students.
What a wonderful project engaging students in history in such a meaningful way.