I remember when I was in junior high school and I participated in my first History Day contest. Though I don't remember the theme for that year, I remember participating in a group exhibit. Our chosen topic was abortion (not a very good topic for History Day). Having never participated before in History Day and having not received many details about the rules, our group (my friend and I) didn't really know what we were doing.
Unfortunately, we also waited until the last minute and then had to stay up almost all night putting the project together (not a proud moment in my history career).
My not knowing the rules, not having a very good topic, waiting until the last minute, and creating a not-so-good-looking presentation made my first History Day experience a sour one. I also didn't learn very much about the controversies and history of abortion. A lot has changed since that History Day so long ago. I've now become much more interested and knowledgeable about history and have become a judge at the state level for History Day. So that you don't make the same mistakes that I made, I've put together some information and advice to help you create a wonderful History Day project.
First, a Little History
The concept of National History Day started in the history department at Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland, Ohio) in 1974. In an attempt to make teaching and learning about history interesting and fun, members of the Case History Department developed a history contest and called it "National History Day." Quite a title for a local contest.
Yet, thinking big led the concept to spread over the Midwest and to become a truly national program in 1980.
What was once just a one day experience has now become a year-long educational program, with workshops, seminars, internships, and of course, the contest. At the beginning of each school year, a theme is chosen and educational and contest materials are shipped across the country to teachers and coordinators who participate in National History Day.
The Contest
Though National History Day is a year-long program, it is best known for its contest. Beginning in February, students across the United States participate in district level contests. There are two different age categories for competition: students in grades sixth through eighth compete in the junior division and students in grades ninth through twelfth compete in the senior division. Though some states offer contests for younger students, such as a poster contest in California for students in fourth and fifth grades -- there are no corresponding national contests.
When many of us think of history, we think of writing history papers. To make history fun and interesting to learn about, the History Day contests allow several mediums in which to display historical information. Students can enter into any one of the following categories:
Now before you get too excited and think that this is going to be an easy contest to win, there are a few serious issues. The biggest and most important one is that you can't just describe history, you must analyze it. You can't just state the who, what, and when of an event, you must also explain the why. Your ability to analyze the historical event will be one of the greatest factors in how well your project is judged.
If you do win the district level contest, then you will compete in the state held History Day in late April or early May. The top two participants in each category from the state contests then are able to compete in the National History Day contest held at the University of Maryland at College Park in June.
This Year's Theme Each year, a theme is chosen for History Day. For 2007-2008, the theme is "Conflict and Compromise in History." The National History Day website also offers a list of sample topics. Every participant should think carefully about a topic that would fit with the theme but also be a unique topic. The more unique your topic, the more interesting your project will seem.
It's time for you to choose a topic and get started. Good luck!
More Hints, Help, and Informational Tidbits...
Unfortunately, we also waited until the last minute and then had to stay up almost all night putting the project together (not a proud moment in my history career).
My not knowing the rules, not having a very good topic, waiting until the last minute, and creating a not-so-good-looking presentation made my first History Day experience a sour one. I also didn't learn very much about the controversies and history of abortion. A lot has changed since that History Day so long ago. I've now become much more interested and knowledgeable about history and have become a judge at the state level for History Day. So that you don't make the same mistakes that I made, I've put together some information and advice to help you create a wonderful History Day project.
First, a Little History
The concept of National History Day started in the history department at Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland, Ohio) in 1974. In an attempt to make teaching and learning about history interesting and fun, members of the Case History Department developed a history contest and called it "National History Day." Quite a title for a local contest.
Yet, thinking big led the concept to spread over the Midwest and to become a truly national program in 1980.
What was once just a one day experience has now become a year-long educational program, with workshops, seminars, internships, and of course, the contest. At the beginning of each school year, a theme is chosen and educational and contest materials are shipped across the country to teachers and coordinators who participate in National History Day.
The Contest
Though National History Day is a year-long program, it is best known for its contest. Beginning in February, students across the United States participate in district level contests. There are two different age categories for competition: students in grades sixth through eighth compete in the junior division and students in grades ninth through twelfth compete in the senior division. Though some states offer contests for younger students, such as a poster contest in California for students in fourth and fifth grades -- there are no corresponding national contests.
When many of us think of history, we think of writing history papers. To make history fun and interesting to learn about, the History Day contests allow several mediums in which to display historical information. Students can enter into any one of the following categories:
- Paper (Individual Only)
- Exhibit (Individual or Group)
- Performance (Individual or Group)
- Documentary (Individual or Group)
Now before you get too excited and think that this is going to be an easy contest to win, there are a few serious issues. The biggest and most important one is that you can't just describe history, you must analyze it. You can't just state the who, what, and when of an event, you must also explain the why. Your ability to analyze the historical event will be one of the greatest factors in how well your project is judged.
If you do win the district level contest, then you will compete in the state held History Day in late April or early May. The top two participants in each category from the state contests then are able to compete in the National History Day contest held at the University of Maryland at College Park in June.
This Year's Theme Each year, a theme is chosen for History Day. For 2007-2008, the theme is "Conflict and Compromise in History." The National History Day website also offers a list of sample topics. Every participant should think carefully about a topic that would fit with the theme but also be a unique topic. The more unique your topic, the more interesting your project will seem.
It's time for you to choose a topic and get started. Good luck!
More Hints, Help, and Informational Tidbits...
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