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Frequently Asked Questions
It's not just a day, it's an experience!
- What is Texas History Day?
- Texas History Day, a part of the National History Day program, is a yearlong education program that culminates in an annual state-level history fair for students in grades six through twelve. It provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate their interest in, and knowledge of, history through creative and original papers, performances, documentaries, individual interpretive web sites, or three-dimensional exhibits.
Over the course of the school year, students research and produce a History Day entry, the results of which are presented at a regional competition in early spring. From there, some students advance to the state competition in May, or even to the national contest held each June at the University of Maryland at College Park. At each level of competition, outstanding achievement may be recognized through certificates, medals, trophies, or monetary awards. The most important rewards are the skills and insight that students acquire as they move through the History Day program.
As many as 50,000 young Texans are involved in the program at the regional and state level each year. More than 1,000 students participate in Texas History Day, and approximately 80 students represent Texas at National History Day each year.
- Who may enter?
- Any 6th-12th grade student residing in the following counties: Nacogdoches, Angelina, San Augustine, Sabine, Shelby, Panola, Rusk, Smith, Anderson, Cherokee, Houston, or Trinity. (All public, private, and home school students are accepted.)
- 6th-8th grade students compete in the Junior Division.
- 9th-12th grade students compete in the Senior Division.
- What are the different categories of entries?
- You may enter one of nine categories
- paper (individual only)
- individual exhibit
- group exhibit
- individual performance
- group performance
- individual documentary
- group documentary
- individual web site
- group web site
- Each category in each division is judged separately. Groups may include 2 to 5 students. Group participants do not have to be in the same grade to compete together, but they must be in the same division.
- Performance - live, dramatic presentation of your topic's significance in history.
- Exhibit - presents information about an event, person, place, or idea from the past by physically displaying documents, images, or objects.
- Documentary - present information about an event, person, place or idea from the past through a ten minute presentation that showcases documents, images, photographs, and actual footage of the topic you are researching.
- Paper - present information and analyze an event, person, place or idea from the past in writing.
- Interpretive Website - a collection of web pages, interconnected with hyperlinks, which presents primary and secondary sources, interactive multimedia, and historical analysis.
- Where do I find the Contest Rules?
- Download a rule book from the National History Day website.
- What is the cost to enter?
- $5.00 per student, non-refundable. Make check payable to SFASU Regional History Day. Must be postmarked January 31, 2014.
- What is this year's theme?
- What are some theme topics and contest preparation suggestions?
- How many chaperones are needed?
- One adult per five students - must be named on entry form.
- Where can teachers find additional information?
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