What is History Day?
History Day is a way for students to study history and express what they’ve
learned competitively through creative and original dramatic performances,
exhibits, documentaries, research papers, or web sites. National research shows
that students who participate in History Day perform better on standardized
achievement tests than students who do not participate.
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The theme for 2011 is "Debate and Diplomacy: Successes, Failures, Consequences.” All entries must be based on this theme but can
focus on an unlimited variety of local,
national, or worldwide topics. |
There are two divisions: junior (grades 6-8) and senior
(grades 9-12). Competition takes place in these categories:
• Historical paper (individual only): an essay
not less than 1,500 nor more than 2,500 words (six to ten typed,
double-spaced pages).
• Exhibit (individual or group): an exhibit,
display, chart, model, etc., of a historical subject. Group projects
involve no more than five students.
• Performance (individual or group): song, lecture,
demonstration, puppet show, dramatic reading, etc., not to exceed
10 minutes in length. Group performances involve no more than five
students.
• Documentaries (individual or group): an entry
presented solely on slides, PowerPoint, videotape, motion picture,
or computer, not to exceed 10 minutes in length. Group documentaries
involve no more than five students.
• Web site (individual or group): an
entry containing no more than 1,200 visible, student-composed words
within no more than 100MB of file space. For the inaugural year of
this category, both groups (no more than five students) and individuals
will compete together within their age division.
History Day begins with regional contests. The
Northwest Arkansas Region 10 History Day (including Baxter, Benton, Boone,
Carroll, Madison, Marion, Newton, Searcy, and Washington counties)
will be
held Thursday, March 10, 2011, at the Jones Center
for Families in downtown Springdale.
The 2011 Northwest Arkansas regional History Day competition has the following limits on the number of teams per school that can register per division
and category:
- Papers: maximum 10 teams per school
- Exhibits: maximum 10 teams per
school
- Performances: maximum 4 teams per school
- Web sites: maximum 4 teams per school
- Documentaries: maximum 4 teams per school
As an example, in the exhibits category, a single school can register
a maximum of 10 junior individual teams, 10 junior group teams, 10
senior individual teams, and 10 senior group teams.
How Do I Participate?
A student first decides which of the categories to enter and whether to work
individually or with a group, and then selects a subject. Teachers may
use the National History Day web
site to
access a wealth of information about the program, rules, and all other
aspects of History Day.
What is the Deadline?
All entry forms, completed papers for the historical papers category, and process papers for all other categories must be postmarked or delivered to the Shiloh Museum on or by 5 p.m., Wednesday, February 2, 2011. Earlier submissions are encouraged! Extensions to this deadline will NOT be made except for inclement weather determined solely by the Shiloh Museum; check this web site to see if the deadline has been extended – no other reasons for late delivery will be accepted. Address mailings to: History Day, Shiloh Museum, 118 W. Johnson Ave., Springdale, AR 72764. For questions or information call (479) 750-8165, fax (479) 750-8693, or email shiloh@springdalear.gov.
FAQ
Research tips |
