The Geo Fair is not only a project but a journey—one that encourages curiosity and cultural awareness. Over several weeks, students in grade 1 and 2, worked diligently to uncover key aspects of their assigned countries. The excitement of learning about different continents, landmarks, and traditions turned the classroom into a gateway to the world.

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Exploring World Cultures: A Comprehensive Experience of Multiple National Traditions

The journey with G1 starts from the music and palaces of Vienna to the rich history and culture of Italy, the romance of France, the enchanting Welsh castles, and vibrant Spanish fiestas. Our students transformed into explorers, uncovering the magical wonders of the world.

The introduction of our much-loved character, Casey, provided a fun and interactive experience as students learned about cultures from around the world. To create a hands-on, sensory experience, students crafted 3D models of traditional clothing and food, along with making real flags. Students also wrote authentic postcards featuring details about their countries, complete with pictures of landmarks and stamps.

Parent volunteers were instrumental in bringing our Geo Fair to life, contributing food, decorations, and their time and effort to create an unforgettable event. Their dedication was evident as parents worked tirelessly to decorate the school the night before, ensuring that students arrived to a beautifully transformed environment. Thanks to our amazing parent volunteers, the Geo Fair became a vibrant celebration of cultures, making it a memorable occasion for everyone involved.

Geography Carnival: A Celebration of Global Cultures

At Geo Fair, students "travelled" to eight different countries, immersing themselves in the unique cultures, music, and cuisines of each destination.

Students received their boarding passes and passports, ready to embark on a journey around the world. First stop: Mexico, where students savoured delicious tacos prepared right before their eyes by our chef! They enjoyed entertaining tricks from a clown as they immersed themselves in the vibrant culture of Mexico. Next, students headed to Austria to sample traditional delights like schnitzel and Sacher torte, accompanied by serenades from our accordion player, whilst they created cute cubic zirconia bracelets. In Spain, students indulged in delightful tapas, and in France, enjoyed freshly baked croissants and sampled exquisite cheeses. Travelling to Italy allowed students to embrace history whilst enjoying classic pizza, before crossing over to England, where they discovered iconic dishes. Finally, students visited Wales to taste traditional Welsh cakes, and then on to experience the sunny flavours of Portugal, which offered a feast of delicious cuisine. Each stop promised a memorable experience filled with cultural exploration and culinary delights!

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Preparation: Discovering the World

Leading up to the fair, each class transformed its curriculum into a cultural deep dive. Students studying Hungary learned about its unique language and the grandeur of Budapest’s Parliament building, while those exploring Kenya discovered the breathtaking landscapes of the Maasai Mara and the significance of Swahili language and culture. Students in the India group explored landmarks like the Taj Mahal and marvelled at India’ s vibrant festivals, such as Diwali. Meanwhile, the class assigned Vanuatu unearthed the unique geography of this Pacific island nation. For those learning about Germany, students discovered the majesty of Neuschwanstein Castle and explored German cuisine, from pretzels to sausages. The New Zealand group dove into Maori culture, celebrated the natural beauty of fjords and mountains, and learned about traditional haka dances. Students assigned to Vietnam explored the cultural importance of water puppetry, iconic dishes like pho, and historic sites such as Ha Long Bay. Finally, those studying Egypt marvelled at ancient wonders like the Pyramids of Giza and learned about hieroglyphics and the rich history of the Nile River.

The highlight of the preparation process was creating a “triarama”—a three-dimensional display showcasing one artifact or element from the assigned country. Each student selected something unique to represent their learning. The trigrams were displayed prominently during the Geo Fair, transforming classrooms into a vibrant, multi-country exhibition hall.

Geo Fair Day: A Global Journey

The Geo Fair itself was a day filled with excitement and discovery. Students had the opportunity to“travel the world”by exploring their peers’ projects. Each classroom became a different country, inviting visitors to learn, ask questions, and experience the essence of that nation.

As students visited one another’ s displays, they took notes, asked thoughtful questions, and marvelled at the unique artifacts.

One of the key components of Geo Fair is encouraging students to think critically about geographic comparisons. By comparing the size, location, and cultural characteristics of their assigned countries to China, students developed a deeper understanding of global diversity. Geo Fair was a journey of discovery—one that celebrated their hard work, curiosity, and creativity. It not only highlighted the value of experiential learning but also instilled in students a sense of curiosity and wonder for the global community they are part of.

Written by Steph Carr, Yu Lin, Jessica Nestell, Yixin He

Photos by Homeroom Teachers, Parents Volunteer, Siying Li

Reviewed by Yi Zhang, Chenli Shen, Cong Luo, Emma Hackett