Idaho History
Day 101
Three Age Divisions
Youth (4-5)
Junior (6-8)
Senior (9-12)
Who May Enter?
Individuals
Groups of 2-5
CATEGORIES
Performance (Individual and Group)
Documentary (Individual and Group)
Exhibit (Individual and Group)
Web Site (Individual and Group)
Historical Paper (Individual)
Pick a Topic (using this year’s theme)
Pick a Category (review the rules)
Research
Create your Masterpiece
Enter the Contest
Regionals (March)
State (April)
Nationals (June)
Second Full Week of June
How Does My Project Get
Judged?
Judges must
follow the
format of their
judging sheets
60%
Historical Accuracy
Analysis and Interpretation
Historical Context
Shows Wide Research
Research is Balanced
Historical Accuracy
Analysis and
Interpretation
Historical Context
Shows Wide Research
Secondary Sources
•
•
•
•
General Reference Books
Encyclopedias
Biographies
Interviews with People who Teach
History
Shows Wide Research
Primary Source Documents
• Oral Histories
• Interviews with People Who Witnessed
the Event
• Diaries & Autobiographies
• Government Documents and Archived
Material
• Museum Objects
• Visiting a Historic Site
Research is Balanced
The internment of Japanese American citizens
during WWII was wrong
Communism is immoral
George Armstrong Custer was a hero
Nuclear energy production is too dangerous
20%
This Year’s Theme is “Triumph and Tragedy in History”
Relating to a theme doesn’t mean just slipping
it into your title
This isn’t a science fair or a current events forum, so
be careful that you have some historic relevance
20%
Is it clear?
Is it well organized?
Can you follow it without help?
Don’t be swayed by Glitz
Rules Violations
Process Paper Problems
Annotated Bibliography Problems
Time Requirement Problems
Project Size Problems
Word Limit Problems
Interviews
The interview is
important, but not as
important as you might
think.
The interview is a good
place to show off your
research
Show your enthusiasm
The Project Must Stand on its Own
Regional History Day= Ribbons
State History Day= Ribbons,
Medals, Cash, Scholarships
National History Day= Medals,
Cash, Scholarships, Trips
Performance
You’ve only got ten
minutes, so don’t try to
cover the history of
civilization.
Move around a bitremember you are on stage
Just because you are a
thespian, it doesn’t mean
you get to ignore the
judging criteria
Costumes Historically Accurate
If you use
costumes,
make sure they
are accurate
Simple Props & Sets
When it
comes to sets
and props,
less is
sometimes
more.
Documentaries
Go to the library and check out
some award winning documentaries
and study them.
You can create an illusion of
movement
Keep your imagery
consistent and relevant
Computer programs
have great special
effects, don’t try to
use every one
Poor sound quality can sink your
project
Exhibits
•This is the largest category
and therefore the hardest
to place in
•Organize, organize,
organize
•This is a visual project-consider everything that
might make an impact
(text/to photo ratio, picture
resolution, color, texture, etc)
•Style and clever presentation is a
plus, but DON’T RELY ON
GLITZ
Historical Papers
•Make sure there are no mistakes
(punctuation, grammar, spelling)
to distract the judges
•Wow them with your research
•Stay focused
•Is your paper original or does it just rehash someone
else’s viewpoint? Original analysis and interpretation
is the key.
•A paper isn’t always a paper
Papers Aren’t Always “Papers”
This Historical Paper
entry about Lawrence of
Arabia was done in comic
book form and entered in
the Historical Paper
category.
All text and artwork was
done by the student.
Work is original, neat,
and focused.
Web Sites
Final Tips for Everyone
Remember the judging criteria
Get feedback from the professionals
and don’t be afraid to change
things
Don’t give the judges a reason to
mark you down
REMEMBER, Winning isn’t everything!
NATIONAL HISTORY DAY 2006