Project Division and Categories

Divisions

Junior division: students in grades 6-8
Senior division: students in grades 9-12

Papers (Individuals only)

A paper is the traditional form of presenting historical research. Various types of creative writing, such as poems, fictional diaries, etc., are allowed, but must conform to all general rules outlined in the NHD contest rulebook. The text of historical papers must be no less than 1,500 and no more than 2,500 words in length.

Exhibits (Individuals and Groups)

An exhibit is a visual representation of the research and interpretation of the topic’s significance in history. It is much like a small museum exhibit. The analysis and interpretation of the topic must be clear to the viewer. Labels and captions are used creatively with visual images and objects to enhance the message of the exhibit. The overall size of your exhibit must be no larger than 40 inches wide, 30 inches deep, and 6 feet high. Student-composed written materials that are used on an exhibit must contain no more than 500 words. Please refer to the NHD contest rulebook for further information.

Performances (Individuals and Groups)

A performance is a dramatic portrayal of the topic’s significance in history. It must be an original production and no longer than ten minutes in length. Students must write their own scripts and create, supply, and operate all props and equipment.

Documentaries (Individuals and Groups)

A documentary reflects an ability to use audiovisual equipment to communicate the topic’s significance. To produce a documentary, students must have access to equipment and be able to operate it. Documentary entries must be no longer than ten minutes. Students must operate their own equipment. Students cannot provide live narration during the showing of the documentary.

Websites (Individuals and Groups) – NEW RULES for 2010!

NEW: Beginning in the 2009-2010 school year, National History Day will require website projects to be created using the NHD website editor (a program created by Weebly.com). Students must go through the NHD Web Portal to access the NHD website editor – they CANNOT go directly to Weebly.com.

A website should reflect a student’s ability to use computer technology to communicate the topic’s significance in history and it should include elements that actively engage the audience in learning about the topic. To produce a website, students must have access to a computer and the Internet. A full suite of site-building tools will be available with the NHD website editor. While third-party tools may be used to develop objects and components for an entry, the final code must be uploaded with the NHD website editor. All objects or components constructed with third-party tools (e.g. Dreamweaver, iWeb, MS Expression) must be portable to and function correctly with the NHD website editor.

All hosting will be performed by NHD servers. The 100 MB size restriction on entries will remain. Students are free to begin building their entries as early as September, and will work on the same NHD web site as they advance through levels of competition. With the NHD Web Portal, students are free to access and work on their sites at any time other than judging periods, periods during which their sites will be closed to any editing. See the list of Dates & Deadlines for more information.

All entries must still submit four hard copies of a home page, process paper, and annotated bibliography to their contest coordinator. Please refer to the NHD contest rulebook for additional information