History Day

2006-2007

The Nebraska History Day involves three levels of competition. The first level is a district contest. Nebraska is divided into seven different districts. The second level is the state competition, and the third level is the national competition. This year,s national competition is located at the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland.

The top three entries of each category at the district level will move onto the state level. The state competition will be held at Nebraska Wesleyan University. The top two entries at the state level move onto the national competition.

The Tradition

This is the twenty-third year of the Nebraska History Day. This tradition began in 1979. Currently the national office is located at the University of Maryland at College Park, Maryland. This program is held in all of the fifty states, and the District of Columbia.

For the National History Day 2007, the topic is a tragedy or a triumph in history.

There are five different categories of competition. One of the categories is writing an individual paper. The paper must be between 1500 and 2500 words in length. The paper must focus on a topic related to the year's theme.

Another category is creating a website. It must be done individually and is only accepted at the District and State competitions. The website will be judged very much like the paper is.

A third option is to make an exhibit. You can do this either individually or a group. In this category you must display artifacts, photographs, or written material. Your project must be based on primary history materials. The group pictured below chose this option last year, and they were very successful with their project by making it to the national competition.

Another option that is available, is to do a performance. You can either do this category by yourself or with a group. You must have a ten minute play of skit, with costumes and props relative to the topic you are doing.

The fifth option is to make a documentary. This also can be completed with group members, or by yourself. Your documentary must be a slide/tape, videotape, or computer program that tells about the historic issue or event that you are doing. You may use a variety of materials for this category. It can range from historical film footage, to scenes created by the students themselves

*the groups used in the categories above can consist of two to five students*