General information for students The Contest: History Day is a competition for students in grades six through twelve. It is conducted at regional and state levels in conjunction with the National History Day program. The first round of competition begins at the regional contests in Pennsylvania. Students in grades six though eight (6-8) are assigned to the junior division; students in grades nine through twelve (9-12) are assigned to the senior division. In each division, students may compete in any one of seven categories: Individual Historical Paper Individual Exhibit Group Exhibit Individual Performance Group Performance Individual Documentary Group Documentary The two best entries in each category, and in each age division, at the district competition will qualify for the state contest. Winners from the Pennsylvania state competition will then compete at National History Day. Competition Theme The theme of National History Day 2009 is The Individual in History: Actions and Legacies. For more information on this theme, click here. Students are encouraged to examine their topic's influence on history and draw conclusions about the ways in which their topic had an impact on the course of events.Students and teachers are encouraged to remember local history and local resources when selecting topics. This year's theme allows studnets to demonstrate how an individual's actions impacted hisotry. As with any NHD theme, the key to good historical study is an examination of cause and effect and change over time. Sponsoring Teachers Each student works with a sponsoring teacher who is usually from the student's school. The teacher provides guidance and encouragement during the course of the project. Entries Entries must be historically accurate and provide analysis and interpretation of the historical data rather than just a description. They must ask not only when events happened but also why they happened. Entries should demonstrate an understanding of the historical context, wide research, use of available primary resources, and a balanced presentation of materials. Students must draw conclusions about how their topics had an impact on the course of events, on individuals, communities, nations, or the world. Contest categories After analyzing and interpreting their information, students may express what they have learned through creative and original performances (a dramatic portrayal of the topic), documentaries (using media, such as slides, video, or a noninteractive computer program), historical papers, or three-dimensional exhibits (similar to a museum exhibit). Students are urged to choose a category in which they can make the best use of their special abilities, talents, and interests. The seven categories are as follows: a paper entry (working as an individual only) individual exhibit group exhibit individual performance group performance individual documentary group documentary Each category in each division is judged separately. Groups may include two to five students. Group participants do not have to be in the same grade to compete together, but they must be in the same division. For More Information If you have a question about the National History Day in Pennsylvania program, your regional coordinator will have the information you need. If you have any problems, please feel free to contact the national office. Contest Manager National History Day University of Maryland 0119 Cecil Hall College Park MD 20740 Phone: 301-314-9739 E-mail: katrina@nhd.org