Search New York State History Day: What to Expect Entry Information   Levels of Competition   Home can't read it? click here for a new image		Home     News     Contest     Teachers     Students     Parents     Staff     Contact Us     Store   Entry Information Documentaries Bring your documentary on a DVD or Videocassette Tape. In fact, technology can sometimes be a little tricky, so it is best to have your documentary in more than one format, or consider bringing your own tried-and-true equipment. The contest venue is only required to provide a VCR, TV, and screen so be prepared to bring our own equipment. Sometimes contest planners arrange for DVD players and screens in the judging rooms, and they will let you know this you before you arrive at the contest. If you bring your own DVD player, remember to test your DVD on that machine before arriving at the contest. You will have five minutes to set up your equipment and five minutes to remove it. State your title and name(s) before the entry begins playing. Time starts when the first sound is heard or the first image appears. Likewise, time ends when the last sound or image concludes. Each documentary must be no longer than ten minutes. The panel of judges will interview you following the playing of your documentary and either before or after the five minutes allowed for removing your equipment. Exhibits Exhibit category procedures may vary slightly from contest to contest. For example, some contests require all competing students to be in the judging room for the entire judging period, while other contests only allow students in the room at their specified judging time. Please pay attention to the rules provided to you by your contest administrator for their specific requirements. For most contests, you will set up your entry at the beginning of the day in a designated space within the exhibit hall. At the end of the set up time period, everyone must leave the exhibit hall in accordance with the contest rules. Sometimes judges will view the exhibits alone and then interview students, while other times the judges will review your exhibit and ask you questions during your assigned time. The exhibit hall is usually closed to the public throughout the entire judging period. Your contest planners will schedule a time when the public (this includes parents, siblings, teachers, and friends) can view the student projects. Time for breaking down exhibits will be scheduled after the general public has been allowed in to view them. Historical Papers You must send in your entry before the contest in order to give the judges time to read them before the contest day. Please pay attention to the deadline for submitting your paper, as it varies from contest to contest. At the contest, you will be assigned a time and place to speak with the judges about your paper for about ten minutes. Performances As the rulebook indicates, performers are responsible for providing and setting up all props and costumes. You will be allowed five minutes for this before the performance begins. You should announce your title and name(s) and nothing else before beginning the performance. Your performance must be limited to ten minutes. The judges will interview you after your performance. Web Sites You must send in your entry before the contest in order to give the judges time to view it before the contest day. Please pay attention to the deadline for submitting your web site, as it varies from contest to contest. At the contest, you will be assigned a time and place to speak with the judges about your web site for about ten minutes.