1. National History Day

2. What is National History Day?
It’s a national contest between kids from schools across America…over 500,000 students compete!
blogs.sacbee.com/sac_history_happenings, nhd.org, 2.bp.blogspot.com

3. What’s it About?
Study a historical topic/person and create a project about it
A new theme each year
Students choose any historical topic that fits the theme

4. This Year’s Theme: Taking a Stand in History
Take a stand against disease discrimination, an old way of doing things, etc.
It can be an individual, a group, a movement, an event

5. Fitting Topic to the Theme
Your topic has to fit the theme closely!
Not every person who took a stand is a good choice—avoid the obvious first choices
Look through the sample topics list to see some examples

6. What’s in it for You? It’s a great experience and it will push you
Many BHS History teachers require it
You’ll receive extra credit for work produced
You could travel and even win a prize
Colleges love to see it on applications

7. Things to Consider… It’s a lot of work, and competition is fierce
You have to really love your topic
You can’t be afraid of reading (like, books)
If you procrastinate, this will either help you or make you insane
Subpar work can be really embarrassing at the contest

8. Check Out Sample Topics and Explore
Topics shouldn’t be too recent (20 years or older, so before 1994)
If you want to move on in the contest, find a topic with a clear connection to the whole theme

9. Individual or Group? Individual Advantages Disadvantages
No one can let you down
Don’t have to deal with disagreements over topic, workload, etc
High achiever types may prefer having power over all decisions and final outcome
All the responsibility falls on you—no one can bail you out or spur you to action when you don’t feel like working
Don’t have the input of others to help make decisions, come up with ideas, etc.
Heavier workload

10. Individual or Group? Group Advantages Disadvantages
Less work per person
Access to better resources
Share ideas and help motivate each other
You can complement each other’s skills, knowledge, and focus level
Some projects really are better suited for groups
Undependable group mates are the number one headache
Hard to get all people on same page
Social drama can lead to academic drama

11. Project Types Exhibit / Project board (Individual or group)
Website (Individual or group)
Paper (Individual only)
Documentary (Individual or group)
Performance (Individual or group)

12. Exhibit / Board Exhibit: Less writing (500 words on board)
Less complex than other choices
Layout is extreme headache, takes days
Work quality is instantly obvious

16. Website Website: More writing than other choices
Digital: Easier and faster to reformat, start over, edit text, etc.
Shorter deadline: Must be completed early
Easier for groups
Flashy: Must be interactive, have excellent visuals (charts, graphs, diagrams, etc)

17. Project Examples: Websites

18. Paper Paper: Only project which doesn’t require the process paper
More writing than others
No groups! Individual only
Nothing flashy required, just excellent research and good writing

19. Documentary
Documentary: Less writing, much of it will be recorded in voiceover
Are you really ready for:
Filming
Editing
Adding or mixing Audio
Transitions / Graphics
Technical issues
These are nearly professional
Requires a lot of coordination, travel, other people’s help

20. Performance
Performance: Not for the meek! Act out your thesis for the judges
Requires practice, memory, timing, props, and nerves
Strangers will be present
Must be polished and smooth
Wisconsin Board of Education

21. Performance Example Luddite Rebellion of 1800s