NHD in Wisconsin: Competitions CD

What to Expect: National History Day in Wisconsin Competitions

Updated: Summer 2011

It’s NHD Competition Season!

Congratulations on completing a project. Let’s get ready for History Day!

Why Participate in a Competition?

• SHARE your hard work• DISCUSS your project with judges• LEARN from other students• Have FUN

History Day Competitions• School Events

Optional• Regional Events

March and April• WI State Event

May 5, 2012• National Contest

June 10-14, 2012

School Events• Some students have school NHD events:

– Share your workwith communitymembers

– Get feedback fromjudges

– Compete for chanceto attend regional contest

Regional Events• Wisconsin is divided

by county into regions:– Eau Claire– Green Bay– La Crosse– Madison– Milwaukee– Stevens Point

Wisconsin State Event • Saturday, May 5,

2012• UW-Madison• More than 450

students, plus parents, friends, teachers and judges

National Contest• The top 2 projects in

each category/division from the state event.

• About 50 Wisconsin students.

• June 10- 14• Near Washington,

D.C.

How Do Competitions Work?• You will compete against other projects in the

same division/category.• You will have an assigned time and location to

present your project.• You will be interviewed by judges• The best projects will advance to the next level

of competition.

Competition CategoriesJUNIOR DIVISION

(Grades 6-8)- Individual Documentary- Group Documentary- Individual Exhibit- Group Exhibit- Individual Paper- Individual Performance- Group Performance- Individual Website- Group Website

SENIOR DIVISION (Grades 9-12)

- Individual Documentary- Group Documentary- Individual Exhibit- Group Exhibit- Individual Paper- Individual Performance- Group Performance- Individual Website- Group Website

Judging• All students will have

an interview with judges.

• Judges want to learn more about your project and process, not quiz you on facts.

• Interviews usually lasts 5-10 minutes.

Who are the judges?

• Judges are people who love history!– Teachers– Librarians or Archivists– Historians– Professors– College Students

Don’t forget, the judges are really interested in your work. They volunteered to be there!

What will the judges ask me?• Sample Questions:

– How did you choose this topic? Why? – Where did you begin your research?– Which source in your bibliography was most useful to

you? – How does your topic connect to the annual theme? – How was your topic significant in history?– What was your favorite part of this project?

• Judges will often ask other questions related to your project or research.

What are the judges looking for?• NHD Evaluation:

– 60% Historical Quality– 20% Connection to

Theme– 20% Clarity of

Presentation– Rules Compliance

What should I wear?• Students usually dress

up a bit for judging:– Guys: Khaki or dress pants,

polo or button up shirts– Girls: Skirts or dress pants

with nice tops, or dresses • ONLY performance

students can wear costumes.

Before the Competition• Get ready! Continue to use feedback from

previous competitions to improve your project.• Register. Turn in all required materials by the

deadline. • Paper and website students must have their

projects completed and submitted in advance of the competition.

The Day of the Event

• Check-in and set-up• Presentation and

interview• Watch other projects• Awards Ceremony

What will the room look like?• Each room will vary slightly by what is

available at the event.• The following slides are pictures from

state and regional events in Wisconsin.

Exhibit Room• You will have an

assigned space to set up your exhibit

• Leave four copies of your process paper and bibliography

• Only students and judges are allowed in the exhibit area during judging

Documentary Room

• Technology in documentary rooms will vary from event to event. Check with your coordinator to see what will be available.

• Friends and family are welcome to watch as you present

Paper or Website Room

• Judges will review your project before the competition. You will be interviewed at the event.

• Only students and judges are allowed in the room

Performance Room

• Performance rooms can look like a lecture hall, an auditorium, or even a classroom

• You will likely have a chair and small table, but will have to bring all other props

• Friends and family are welcome to watch

Project Improvement• Judges will fill out comment sheets telling you

their thoughts on:– The strengths of your project– Ideas on how to improve your work

• Between each event you are encouraged to improve your project.

• NHD projects are a work in progress and improve throughout the year.

Most Importantly…• Have fun and be proud!

– Don’t worry about the final results.– Have fun meeting new people, showing off your project,

and discussing your ideas with the judges.

Good Luck and Have Fun!

Collecting, Preserving and Sharing Stories Since 1846