RESOURCES FOR NATIONAL HISTORY DAY STUDENTS AND PARENTS
Join NHD and explore a topic that excites you!
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RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS
Playlist
QUICK TIPS: CONTEXT
QUICK TIPS: SOURCES
QUICK TIP: ONLINE SEARCH
FAQs
NHD QUICK TIP: What is student voice? Watch this quick video on student voice to learn what it is and why it is so important when creating your NHD project.
Writing a NHD thesis:
Join veteran teacher, Amy Page, of Moriarty High School as she talks about how to craft a thesis statement for a National History Day project. Hosted by the New Mexico Humanities Council.
NHD QUICK TIP: What is a process paper? Working on your NHD process paper? Here are some quick tips about what should go into an NHD process paper.
NHD QUICK TIP: What is historical significance?
Watch this quick video on historical significance to learn what it is and how to showcase it in your NHD project.
NHD QUICK TIP: What is Historical Context? Watch this quick video on historical to learn what it is and why it needs to be in your NHD project.
NHD QUICK TIP: What is wide research? Have questions about wide research? Check out this quick tip from NHD!
Planning an NHD Year and building a better bibliography. Veteran teacher and NHD Regional Coordinator, Luisa Castillo presents on strategies for planning an NHD project, and for creating a strong bibliography. Luisa teaches at West Mesa High School in Albuquerque, NM.
NHD QUICK TIPS: Oral histories versus interviews with experts. Have questions about oral histories and interviews with experts? Check out this quick NHD video on do and don’ts of interviews.
NHD QUICK TIP: What are primary sources? Interested in learning more about primary sources? Join us for a Quick Tip on secondary sources and why they are important for every NHD project. Please note this was made before our new website was created, so the partner resources page on the NHD website referenced no longer exists.
NHD QUICK TIP: What is a secondary source? Interested in learning more about secondary sources? Join us for a quick tip on secondary sources and why they are important for every NHD project.
QUICK DIGITAL RESEARCH TIP: Finding primary sources in secondary sources. Learn how to mine secondary sources to find primary sources.
NHD QUICK TIPS: Digital research tips smart site searching. Join NHD for quick digital research tips on starting your NHD projects.
NHD FAQs: Ask the exhibit experts. Join West Mesa High School students Sarah Otero and Xavier Lovato, who competed at Nationals #NHD2016 with their senior group exhibit, Jazz on the Move. Chat live and ask your exhibit questions!
“Ask me anything,” a FAQs session with Kim Fortney. Join National History Day’s Deputy Director Kim Fortney, and NHD NM regional coordinators Erin Gockel and Luisa Castillo, to answer all your burning questions about NHD!
Discussing better research questions with Lynne O’Hara. NHD Director of Programs, Lynne O’Hara shares how to help students come up with better questions to guide them in their historical research.
STUDENT FEEDBACK
Lizzy McDonald: “I love National History Day because it pushes me to be better in everything I do. I have a huge sense of accomplishment knowing I have created, competed with, and been successful with three different projects during my time in NHD. My work ethic, self-discipline, and confidence have all improved, and I am so grateful for all the new opportunities National History Day has given me.”
Photo caption: Lizzy McDonald, left, celebrates winning the History of the U.S. Marine Corps award at the national contest with her partners, Isaac Beck, and Kylee Jones.
PARENTS WHO ARE EXCITED ABOUT NHD
Bria Petersen: “The National History Day program gives students advanced academic and social skills that build a unique kind of confidence. When my daughter and her friend first decided to take on the challenge of designing a website research project I had my concerns about their success. It seemed like a large task for two junior high students with no serious research or web design experience. How wrong I was. This endeavor would instead result in both their individual, professional, and academic growth. Choosing a topic connected to one of their family members, they dove into the research, learning networking skills and gaining confidence in reaching out to museums, archives and historical societies for information and interviews. Initially nervous about contacting experts, both girls developed the ability to professionally present their ideas and confidently interview professionals and high-level individuals. As a parent it was exciting to watch them personally grow and hear the historical discussion around our house. NHD stretched their learning beyond the classroom to learn not just about history and research, but new skills in digital web design and professional writing, speaking, and presenting. Any student would benefit from this program.“
Photo caption: Bria Petersen with Grace McWilliams and Genevieve Petersen at the national contest, where the girls won the special prize for the history of technology.
Alicia Beck: “The National History Day competition is one of the most academically challenging competitions in the nation. I have five sons who have competed in this competition over the last seven years, and through the process of creating historically accurate, thorough, concise, and well developed projects, they have not only experienced high levels of emotional and intellectual growth, but they have also developed important interpersonal skills. My boys have learned how to reach out to experts in various fields, ask pertinent questions, and conduct interviews. Through the process of practicing for judges’ interviews and being a part of judges’ interviews, my boys have learned how to speak clearly and confidently, process thoughts quickly, and give concise, clear, relevant answers. My boys have learned how to collaborate effectively with others. Although very difficult at times, my boys have learned the value of humbling themselves and using constructive criticism for their benefit. Because of teachers who care about this competition and more importantly who care about the development of their students, my boys have learned to work hard and to take pride in their work. I can say with confidence that the National History Day competition has been the most beneficial educational activity my kids have ever been a part of, and I hope this competition continues on in our community and throughout the county for generations to come.”
Photo caption: Alicia Beck, right, celebrating at the national contest with teachers and students from Silver City.
NATIONAL HISTORY DAY
EVENTS, NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
NATIONAL HISTORY DAY 2024 NATIONAL CONTEST
The NMHC is proud to announce the successful conclusion of National History Day in New Mexico, 2024 celebrating “Turning Points in History.” Fifty-eight students, from New Mexico, attended the contest at the University of Maryland June 9-13, 2024 with their teachers, parents, guardians, and families…
NATIONAL HISTORY DAY NATIONAL CONTEST
The National History Day (NHD) National Contest “is the culmination of the annual competition cycle and a celebration of student scholarship. After spending months on project research and preparation, and successfully competing at local and affiliate contests, student scholars are invited to…
NATIONAL HISTORY DAY STATE CONTEST 2024 RECAP
The 2024 National History Day (NHD) in New Mexico State competition concluded with overwhelming success last month, with 24 schools and 217 middle and high school students participating from across the state. This year’s theme, “Turning Points in History,” inspired a wide array of topics from…
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NATIONAL HISTORY DAY
Helping student historians and their teachers study the past to inform the present and shape the future.
ABOUT NATIONAL HISTORY DAY® (NHD):
NHD is a non-profit organization based in College Park, Maryland, that seeks to improve the teaching and learning of history. The National History Day Contest was established in 1974 and currently engages more than half a million students every year in conducting original research on historical topics of interest. Students present their research as a documentary, exhibit, paper, performance or website. Projects compete first at the local and affiliate levels, where the top entries are invited to the National Contest at the University of Maryland at College Park. NHD is sponsored in part by, HISTORY®, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Park Service, Southwest Airlines, the Crown Family Foundation, The Better Angels Society, the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, and the Diana Davis Spencer Foundation. For more information, visit NHD.org.
ABOUT NATIONAL HISTORY DAY® IN NEW MEXICO:
History Day in New Mexico is open to elementary, middle and high school students statewide. The program is organized and sponsored by the New Mexico Humanities Council. NMHC offers online and in-person professional development for teachers as well as student events.