National History Day—which, despite the name, runs through the school year—is powerful project-based learning for middle and high school students.

“Think of National History Day as a science fair for history classes. It allows students the opportunity to engage in historical inquiry on a topic of their choice and—if they’re interested—enter their project in regional, state, and national competitions.

In our experience, National History Day (NHD) is one of the best forms of project-based learning; it prompts students to engage in sustained inquiry as well as in critique and revision, all the while making a public product for an authentic audience—hallmarks of effective PBL. This rigor is particularly relevant as state and national social studies standards, like the C3 Framework, encourage students to analyze, explain, evaluate, justify, and interpret content. Real history goes beyond the memorization and recall of names, dates, and places, and NHD can be key to supporting students in making that leap.”

-Matt Weyers, Taylor Hamblin

National History Day is an inquiry-based learning program that supports disciplinary skills in the classroom when they choose a topic in history to fit the yearly theme.

History Day projects allow students to learn independence along with critical thinking and problem-solving skills. They will utilize research and reading skills all while developing self-esteem and confidence.

National History Day is a year-long academic program focused on historical research, interpretation and creative expression for 6th- to 12th-grade students.

By participating in NHD, students become writers, filmmakers, Web designers, playwrights and artists as they create unique contemporary expressions of history. The experience culminates in a series of contests at the local and state levels and an annual national competition in the nation’s capital in June.

National History Day provides everything teachers need to bring students on an unforgettable learning adventure that integrates with—and enhances—standards-based curriculum. With sample topics, a guide to conducting historical research in the classroom, lesson plans and more, the flexible NHD program teaches, prepares and inspires.

National History Day not only transports classrooms back in time during the school year, it transforms young minds forever.

Each year, National History Day® frames students’ research within a historical theme. The theme is chosen for broad application to world, national, or state history and its relevance to ancient history or to the more recent past. The 2021-2022 theme is Debate & Diplomacy in History: Successes, Failures, Consequences.

Follow the link to read the Edutopia article “A Beginners Guide to National History Day” and follow the simple steps to make History Day more manageable.

https://www.edutopia.org/article/beginners-guide-national-history-day