Category Archives: Education

A Reintroduction to National History Day (in Indiana)

In her call for improving history education in the US, Cathy Gorn, executive director of National History Day argues, The media, policy makers, and pundits are quick to point out the negative and report on what is not working. But where are the discussions on the demand for evidence-based, wide-ranging, effective, innovative approaches to teaching […]

How Small Is Too Small?

Last week I traveled to Carthage Elementary School in Rush County to present a Civil War program to fourth grade history club students. I have visited this school every year for the past eight years and always find myself looking forward to stopping in the less-than-1,000-people town. The people are friendly and the students are […]

Standardized Testing the Waters

There are few terms that invoke more fear, anger and emotion in the American education psyche than the words “standardized test.” Its most modern Indiana incarnation, ISTEP+, meets the federal requirement of the No Child Left Behind Act, signed by President George W. Bush in 2001. See? I guarantee you had some internal response to […]

Last Minute Tips for Your National History Day Entry

So, National History Day contests are right around the corner and your project finally looks like it is all coming together. You’ve fought through paper cuts, delusional partners, sabotaging pets and other distractions. Your board stands up without duct tape, your bibliography is annotated, and your process paper is written. Now that you are seeing […]

Win Scholarship Money to Indiana University at the NHDI State Contest!

Hot from the Development Office: The Cole Porter Scholarship for Indiana Musical Heritage Indiana?s past is filled with the stories of musical legends. From the jazz clubs of old Indiana Avenue to the contributions of greats like Cole Porter and Hoagy Carmichael, Indiana?s singers, songwriters and composers have made incredible contributions to the American music […]

Three New Cash Prizes for History Day!

I am excited to announce that we have three brand-new awards secured for the 2012 National History DayinIndiana State Contest, and I have a feeling our students are going to be excited about these too! Here are the awards: Thomas Krasean Prize for Indiana History will be awarded to the creator(s) of an outstanding project […]