Year 8 Saltus Grammar School students explored a personal connection to history in preparation for their fifth annual History Fair.

The schoolchildren took several weeks to independently research a topic that interested them and showcased their results this week.

Some students decided to bring awareness to subjects close to their hearts.

French native Eleonore Heap-Maillard, 13, presented her project on the history of the Eiffel Tower.

She has only lived in Bermuda for a month, and chose to inform classmates about the famous landmark, wanting France “to have a great image here”.

As well as her project board, Eleonore built a model of the Eiffel Tower using a 3D printer, with “a bit of help” from her dad.

Fellow student Tiago Rebelo had a family connection to his project on the history of motorcycles. His father and mother own a motorcycle company and he admitted that he “grew up around them”. He said that although he knew a lot about motorcycles before his research, he “learnt a lot of new things”.

Tiago displayed various motorcycle parts that he had borrowed from his dad, and the family bike — a 1956 Silver Grey Pipe Mobylette.

Noah Simmons-Botelho focused his attention on local history with his project, Emancipation in Bermuda, and its direct connection to Cup Match. He went on to explain that his cousin played for the Somerset team.

Noah plays cricket for his school and knew a lot about the topic beforehand, but his goal was to bring the subject to the attention of the younger students at Saltus.

The History Fair came about because the school’s enrichment co-ordinator and head of history, Anna Ridgeway, wanted to “move away” from the prescriptive history taught in schools.

She introduced “21st-century learning”, which teaches students “critical thinking, communication, creativity, and an independence in learning”.

Ms Ridgeway said that not only does it make a difference in students’ lives, it “ignites a passion” for learning and helps them develop certain skills along the way.

Throughout their project work, the schoolchildren learn about chronology, research techniques, significance, historical interpretation, change and continuity, and using source of evidence. They are also required to produce an interactive portion or a 3D model that represents what they had researched.

This year’s History Fair was judged by The Bermuda Historical Society. The winners will be announced at the Saltus end of year assembly.