NATIONAL HISTORY DAY IN MISSOURI

Teens and History: A Match Made in Missouri

What is National History Day?

A nationally acclaimed, year-long history education program

Begun in 1974 in Cleveland, Ohio Became national in 1980 49 states, District of Columbia, American

Samoa, Guam, and U.S. Department of Defense Schools currently participate

What is National History Day?

The oldest humanities program for teenagers in the U.S.

Designed to reform and invigorate the teaching and learning of history

What do teens get from participating?

Demonstrate an understanding of history Develop and use critical thinking skills Learn to place historical events in their proper

context Demonstrate the significance of historical events Develop strong research skills Improve vocabulary, reading, and writing proficiency Bolster personal skills Develop stronger interpersonal skills

What kind of teens participate?

rural, urban, and suburban public, private, parochial, and home school bright and intellectually challenged

What do teachers get out of participating?

Curricular aids Informational workshops and training Fits into state and federal standards Expands classroom

How does it work?

National theme Topic selection Exploring and narrowing topic Research—primary and secondary sources Analysis! Choosing presentation format and creating

entry Regional, state, national contests

National History Day in Missouri

Part of National History Day since 1980 Since 1989, sponsored by the State Historical

Society of Missouri and the Western Historical Manuscript Collection-Columbia at the University of Missouri

In 2008…

Over 2000 Missouri students participated 545 advanced to state contest 77 students won awards 17 students won special prizes

In 2008…

52 students represented Missouri at Nationals Three entries—four students—won medals! Six entries—ten students—advanced to the

finals round 23 out of 31 entries placed in the top half of

all national participants Go Missouri!

Examples!

Exhibit

Web Site

http://www.chizeng.com/nixon

Documentary

Kori Caswell

Hannibal Middle School

Mark Twain’s Triumphs Over Samuel Clemens’ Tragedies

How can I help?

Assist with researchGuidance in conducting researchHelp understanding the difference between

primary and secondary sourcesWhat constitutes a credible source?Wikipedia not acceptable academic sourceDigitized primary sourcesLinks to reputable research sites

How can I help?

Work with teachersGive tours of your facilities and research

toolsShow examples of primary sources in your

collections

Sky’s the limit—be creative!

I want to be more involved. What else can I do?

Judge!Regional Coordinators always need judgesYou’ll be assigned, with one or two others, to

a particular category and divisionLibrarians are great judges!Judges are also always needed at the state

contest

NATIONAL HISTORY DAY IN MISSOURI

23 ELLIS LIBRARY

UNIVERSIT Y OF MISSOURI

COLUMBIA, MO 65202

573-882-0189

HTTP://WHMC.UMSYSTEM.EDU/NHD/NHDMAIN.HTML

HTTP://WWW.NHD.ORG

National History Day…It’s not just a day, it’s an experience!