How does NHD impact learning?

​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 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.

Why use NHD in your classroom?

What is NHD?

​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 teach students independence, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. They will utilize research and reading skills while developing self-esteem and confidence.

National History Day can be used in classrooms with 4th—to 12th-grade students, focusing on historical research, interpretation, and creative expression.

  • NHD students outperform their non-NHD peers on state standardized tests in multiple subjects, including reading, science, math, and social studies.

  • NHD students are better writers who write with a purpose and authentic voice and marshal solid evidence to support their point of view. NHD has a positive impact among students whose interest in academic subjects may wane in high school. Among Black and Hispanic students, NHD students outperform non-NHD students, posting higher performance assessment scores and interest levels and skills.

  • Compared to non-NHD boys and to all girls, boys participating in NHD reported significantly higher levels of interest in history, civic engagement, and confidence in research skills on both pre- and post-surveys.
    Visit NHD Works for more details on why NHD is an excellent addition to your classroom.

Models of Participation

The History Day model is flexible, allowing teachers and students to participate in various ways.

NHD Standards Alignment

More detailed standards alignment coming soon. NHD allows students to explore the Nevada Academic Content Standards in Social Studies Disciplinary Skills

Timelines

There is no required timeline for History Day participation. If competing, most teachers start with our state contest date and plot backward, from kickoff and topic selection to contest prep. Whether or not you have a school contest or go all the way to the national contest, each History Day journey is unique and exciting.
Each History Day classroom timeline is different. The sample timelines below are from actual History Day classrooms.

  • Mid-October: Introduce History Day, spend next three class periods doing topic selection and preliminary research
    End of October: Topics and group selected
    November: Initial research done approximately 2-3 days a week, viewing sample projects around Thanksgiving
    December: Research once a week the first two weeks, research every day before winter break
    January: Research three days a week in class
    Last week of January-First two weeks of February: Project creation in class every day
    Third week of February: Project due

  • November: 2nd week - Introduce History Day
    Monday before Thanksgiving: Topics selected, initial research completed during break
    End of November/Early December:Media Center time for Primary/Secondary Sources
    Winter Break: Students research in a community or university library
    January: 2nd week - Thesis Statement Due
    End of January: First draft of all text due for feedback, have had approximately one class day a week to work on project
    February: Revising text and creating project, approximately one day a week of class time to work
    End of February: Project due

  • January 2: Project Introduction
    January 3: Overview of Contest/Topic Ideas
    January 6: Primary and Secondary Sources
    January 9: Topic and Project Categories
    January 10: Research Tips
    January 13-22: Research in class
    January 23-31: Project Assembly
    February 4: Projects Due

Project Creation Steps