Delaware History Day
Delaware History Day is a state-wide, year-long interdisciplinary program focused on historical research, interpretation, and creative expression for students in grades 6-12. By participating in National History Day® (NHD), students become writers, filmmakers, web designers, playwrights, and artists as they create unique contemporary expressions of history as they hone 21st century college and career ready skills.
2024-2025
RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES IN HISTORY
Each year, the National History Day office chooses a theme to help students direct their research. Students must make a connection between the theme and their topic. The themes that are chosen are broad, allowing students to research topics on all levels from local history to ancient history. In order to draw a connection to the theme, students must understand the historical significance of their topic and answer questions about time, place, and context. Understanding the impact and significance of the topic will help define why the topic is important and draw this connection to the theme.
Welcome to NHD students and parents! Here you will find the resources and information you need to get started on your National History Day (NHD) project.
Homeschool parents, don’t forget to fill out the DHD teacher participation survey.
Contests and Judging
All Delaware students in grades 6-12 are eligible to participate in the NHD program.
Public and private school students typically participate through classroom instruction, after school clubs, or individually if their school does not have an NHD program. Homeschool students participate through umbrella schools, extracurricular programs, or individually.
Currently, students advance from the school, club, or homeschool level directly to the state contest.
Teachers and students are required to register for the state contest in advance.
What is the judging process?
- Attendance at the contest is mandatory in order for your project to be judged.
- All students will have an interview with a judging team.
- Judges want to learn more about your project and process and will ask you questions relating to this.
- Interviews last approximately 5 – 10 minutes.
What are the judges looking for?
- Evaluation of each project is based on:
- Historical Quality (60%)
- Connection to the Theme (20%)
- Clarity of Presentation (20%)
- Interview (0%)
The interview does not factor in the evaluation of the entry. The purpose is to get to know you and learn more about what went into the development of your project. A project should stand alone and not need an interview to advance to the next level. The interview is not an oral presentation for your project! Judges will ask you to stop if your try to give an oral presentation.
Who are the judges?
Teachers, Librarians/Archivists, Historians, Professors, College students, Professionals, History lovers.
What questions will the judges ask?
Judges are free to ask any question they like regarding your project and process. Below are some sample questions you MAY be asked:
- How did you choose your topic? Why?
- Why did you choose your project category?
- What was your most valuable/important source? Why?
- What is the most important thing you have learned from completing this project?
- Why is this topic significant?
- What conclusions have you drawn from your research?
- What did each member of your group contribute? How did you decide who would do what?
- Content specific questions and facts: While the judges will probably not ask very specific questions about dates and details, you should know and be prepared to explain the basic details and arguments presented in your project.
Why Teach NHD?
Inquiry and Project-Based Learning
Teachers — National History Day (NHD) is an interdisciplinary project-based learning curriculum that incorporates inquiry to engage students and help them develop 21st century college and career ready skills necessary to become responsible citizens and compete in a global society.
Inquiry and project-based learning immerses students in learning that is deep and long-lasting, and inspires in them a love of learning and personal connection to their academic experience.
Among the Many Benefits for Students, National History Day:
- Encourages them to develop research, critical thinking, and presentation skills that they will use throughout their lives;
- Fosters pride in personal heritage and an understanding of the history of the nation and the world;
- Offers them a creative outlet for their work, allowing them to use artistic, dramatic, literary, and musical abilities.
For Teachers, National History Day:
- Supports the requirements of State and National Social Studies and Common Core standards;
- Integrates the study of history with other disciplines, including language arts, the visual arts, and social sciences;
- Offers professional development by offering workshops and summer institutes that present the latest historical scholarship and new teaching methods and techniques; and
- Promotes family and community engagement in education.
The National History Day Key Findings Tell Us That:
- NHD students outperform their non-NHD peers on standardized tests in all topic areas, including reading, science and math, as well as social studies;
- NHD students are better writers, who write with a purpose and real voice, and marshal solid evidence to support their point of view;
- NHD students learn 21st Century college- and career-ready skills, they learn to think critically, collaborate with team members, talk to experts, manage their time and persevere, and express themselves and their work creatively.
Do you love history? Enjoy working with students? Serving your community?
Volunteer for Delaware History Day! Volunteers are needed to assist in judging headquarters, tech support, assisting with contest setup and breakdown, hall monitor, facilitator of exhibits review, and more.
Interested in judging? Judges review student projects, interview contestants, select the winners who will advance to the national contest, and provide constructive feedback. Delaware History Day provides training and guidance for new and experienced judges.
No experience is necessary to volunteer! All we require is a love of supporting students.
To get involved, contact the State Coordinator Garrett Hastings at ghastings@dehistory.org.
What is NHD?
National History Day (NHD) is an interdisciplinary project-based learning curriculum for students in grades 6-12 that incorporates inquiry to engage students and help them develop 21st century college and career ready skills necessary to become responsible citizens and compete in a global society.
Inquiry and project-based learning immerses students in learning that is deep and long-lasting, and inspires in them a love of learning and personal connection to their academic experience. Through NHD students hone their critical thinking and communication skills and produce scholarly projects in the form of dramatic performance, imaginative exhibit, multimedia documentary, research paper, or website.
The Delaware History Day State Contest is a day long event for teachers, students, parents, and community members to gather and recognize the accomplishments of the students participating in the NHD program. Winners of the State contest advance to a national competition at the University of Maryland each June.
Delaware History Day is organized, managed, and hosted by the Delaware Historical Society. For information about how your organization can sponsor Delaware History Day please contact the State Coordinator Garrett Hastings at ghastings@dehistory.org.
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