Student Award -- Essay Competition The James McCowan Memorial Social History Society is giving a prize for the best high school essay on the following subject: Topic: Discuss the impact of the agricultural revolution in Lowland Scotland on the development of rural Scottish communities in pre-Confederation Canada. Use this web site, www.scarboroughrecord.com, and the bibliographical sources listed on www.beamccowan.com/james4.htm as principle resources. Purpose of the Essay Contest: To encourage students to appreciate the value of our heritage learning resources, to promote Community Studies as a catalyst for teaching information processing and to underscore immigrants' contributions to the Canadian fabric. In 2003 the McCowan Society assisted BBC-Radio Scotland with their acclaimed series, "The Lowland Clearances". Some Upper Canada pioneers were featured in the 3 part series. A book has now been published with a chapter dedicated to those early settlers. These two productions have put Canada's Scottish heritage clearly on the world stage -- http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/3030889.stm) For further information: www.beamccowan.com/lowland.htm -- This student award is an extension of our work with BBC-Radio Scotland on their recent series "The Lowland Clearances" www.beamccowan.com/world.htm -- Overview of why the lowland clearances were -- and still are -- important to Canada's development; Links to resource material; endorsement from BBC Radio Scotland www.beamccowan.com/subject.htm -- Our methodology for using Community Studies as a catalyst for teaching information processing www.beamccowan.com/publicat.htm -- Our Scottish and Canadian history publications www.beamccowan.com/eligibil.htm -- Essay details: eligibility, length, criteria, prize amount etc. Bruce McCowan, author of two books used as reference material for the BBC-Radio Scotland series, is available to speak on the subject, "Robbie Burns and the Lowland Clearances". Some York County pioneers are featured in the 3 part Lowland Clearances series and in the book. Lanarkshire families who came to York County at that time include: Brown, Porteous, McCowan, Weir, Gibson, Muir, Rae, Purdie, Hamilton, Young, Torrance, Lawrie, Neilson and Stobo. James McCowan Memorial Social History Society c/o 19 Monarchwood Crescent, Don Mills, Ont., M3A 1H3 416-447-4895 www.mccowan.org bea@beamccowan.com A Non-Profit, Non-Charitable Organization Dedicated to Placing the Scottish Experience Within the Wider Context of the Community Contributor to the "Lowland Clearances" BBC-Radio Scotland Series Scarboro Heights Record An On-Line Learning Resource for Community Studies 416-447-4895 www.scarboroughrecord.com bea@beamccowan.com Dedicated to Promoting Community Events, Arts and Multicultural Activities Non-Profit Groups, Local History and Local Heroes To see a summary of the latest on-line issue of The Scarboro Heights Record, please go to www.beamccowan.com/latest.htm. Bea and Bruce McCowan bea@beamccowan.com www.scarboroughrecord.com