Housed in the Allen County Fair’s Youth Skills Showcase is a project of historic proportions — it’s just on a miniature scale.
The showcase, which is in the New Community Building at Riverside Park, houses 10 small villages built of different small materials — representing some of the 13 original colonies.
Fifth-grade students at Humboldt Elementary School have been a part of Kelly Mauk’s colonial study program for many years, and this year they decided to enter the project at the fair. The idea was originally Becky Meiwes’, but the students were in charge of the creation.
“We love this project,” Mauk said. “The kids look forward to it every year.”
The program, which takes about nine weeks, follows colonial history from around 1607 to 1775. The students study the layout of the colonies, and use a book as their reference. Then, it’s on to the planning stage. The students, who are put into groups of four or five, begin laying out their blueprint designs — color-coded, set out in a grid and traced design. The kids votes on their favorite blueprint, and use it to construct the colony.
“They really get to see their blueprints come to life,” Mauk said.
Overall, 43 students worked for three weeks in groups at home to recreate American history. The small buildings represent schools, blacksmith shops, general stores and churches, just to name a few. Trees dot the landscape of the villages, just like they would have over 300 years ago.
LEANN CHURCH, who is overseeing the Youth Skills Showcase, said groups from several schools have worked hard to contribute to the displays as well.
In addition to the miniature colonies, students have constructed different arts and crafts projects. There are “quadramas” from Jefferson Elementary students, which are small, triangular dioramas that fit into a larger creation. Students also worked to recreate characters of their favorite children’s’ books with vegetables.
The projects are being judged throughout the week, starting today. But, Meiwes said the projects will be on display through Friday for all fairgoers to see.
“The students have worked really hard, and they have done a great job,” Meiwes said.
NO SMALL FEAT
