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Frequently Asked Questions
What is National and New York State History Day?
National History Day, a year-long educational program sponsored in New York State by the New York State Historical Association, encourages students to explore local, state, national, and world history. After selecting a historical topic that relates to an annual theme, students conduct extensive research by using libraries, archives, museums, and oral history interviews. They analyze and interpret their findings, draw conclusions about their topics' significance in history, and create final projects that present their work. These projects can be entered into a series of competitions, from the local to the national level, where they are evaluated by professional historians and educators.
Can I participate in New York State History Day?
History Day is open to all students in grades 6-12. All types of students participate in NHD--public, private, parochial and home-school students; urban, suburban and rural students; academically gifted and average students, and students with special needs.
How does History Day work?
There are two divisions of competition: junior and senior. There are eight categories of entries for each division: individual exhibit, group exhibit, individual documentary, group documentary, individual performance, group performance, individual paper, and individual/group web sites. Students can compete at the school level to qualify for their local regional contest. Winning students in regional competitions may move on to state competition, and the top two entries in each category and division at the state contest are eligible to participate in the national contest.
What am I required to do to participate in NYS History Day?
Students choose a history topic related to NHD's annual contest theme, conduct extensive research over the course of the school year, and create performances, documentaries, papers or exhibits which they may enter in competition at the district, state and national level.
How do I get started with History Day?
First, students should find out if their school has an established History Day program. If not, they simply need to find a teacher who would be wiling to act as a sponsor for their projects. He or she just needs to be someone who can help keep the students with their time management, and serve as a mentor as they research and create their work. Students do not need to register to participate in the program unless they plan on competing. Some schools have their own contests first to determine who will move on to the regional contests. Regional registration forms are typically due in February. Check the regional homepages for more specific information, including downloadable registration forms. Top entries at the regional contest may move on to the state contest. Registration information for the state contest is online, and details will be given to the winners at the regional contests.
How many students and teachers participate in History Day?
In New York State, the program is growing by leaps and bounds. In 2007 we had over 7,200 students participate in 148 schools. Nationwide, 700,000 students and 40,000 teachers annually participate in National History Day programs. More than 2,000 students from across the country attend the national contest (from 48 states, the District of Columbia, Department of Defense Schools and American Samoa).
Who runs New York State History Day?
The New York State Historical Association (NYSHA) in Cooperstown has been the state level sponsor of the program since 1980. NYSHA works with 14 other organizations around the state, including historical societies, museums, teacher centers and BOCES, to run the regional contest and recruit new participants. The state program is largely funded through a grant from the New York State Education Department, thanks to the support of State Senator James Seward. Our regional offices are supported by their sponsoring institutions, corporate sponsors, and/or private foundations
When is National History Day?
Every day is National History Day! History Day is a year-long program that culminates in a national contest in June in College Park, Md.
How did National History Day begin and how did it get its name?
National History Day started as a small contest in Cleveland in 1974. Members of the history department at Case Western Reserve University developed the initial idea for a history contest to make teaching and learning history a fun and exciting experience. Students gathered on campus to devote one day to history. They called it "National History Day." Although the name has remained the same, NHD has grown into a national organization with year-round programs and a week-long national contest.
Is History Day just a contest?
History Day is more than a contest; it is reforming the way history is taught and learned. The contest provides teachers with an innovative teaching tool and fosters students' enthusiasm for learning. In addition to the contest, NHD offers teacher workshops, summer student academies, summer teacher institutes, curricular materials and other resources for educators.
How long has New York State History Day been around?
National History Day began in Cleveland in 1974 and expanded throughout Ohio and into surrounding Midwestern states. In 1980 it became a national program, and the New York State Historical Association in Cooperstown became the official New York State sponsor. In 1992 National History Day moved its headquarters to the Washington, D.C. area. |
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