Students at Lambton Kent Composite School are stepping outside of the classroom to learn about local heritage.
Grade 5-8 students took part in the school's first Black Heritage Symposium on Tuesday.
Heather Robbins, organizers and teacher at Tilbury Area Public School, says the event coincides with "Respectful and Inclusive Education," which is the school board's theme during Education Week.
Students and staff at Lambton Kent Composite School during the Black Heritage Symposium. May 2, 2017. (Photo by Natalia Vega)
"Back in October we decided that we were going to try to do something in order to promote the local black history in the community here," says Robbins. "As a group we got together and decided that we were going to create this symposium."
About 150 students and staff filled the school cafeteria for Tuesday morning's presentation. The event kicked off with a performance of "Sugar and Gold -- The story of the Underground Railroad," by Diana Braithwaite and Chris Whiteley.
Students also heard from Nadine Williams, who talked about poetry and the experiences those of African and Afro-Caribbean descent.
Diana Braithwaite and Chris Whiteley at Lambton Kent Composite School during the Black Heritage Symposium. May 2, 2017. (Photo by Natalia Vega)
"I think the kids are very excited about it," she says. "It's definitely something that's very engaging for them and they've definitely expressed some interest in coming today."
However, students are not the only ones learning at the symposium. Teachers will hear from Natasha Henry on how to integrate Black Canadian History into the curriculum.
Tuesday's event was to wrap with a trip to Uncle Tom's Cabin Historic Site.
With so many students interested in the Black Heritage Symposium, Robbins says they're hoping to keep the event running on an annual basis.