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Contests
National History DayFloor Plans
Contests
The Indiana Historical Society is committed to doing our part as we address the ramifications of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Our top priority is the health and safety of our visitors, guests, volunteers and staff members.
The IPS District Contests, Southeast Region Contest, and Southwest Region Contest will be taking place virtually. Registered participants should have received information from their teachers concerning this change.
The National History Day in Indiana State Contest will be conducted virtually, with judging interviews taking place by phone on Saturday, April 25. More details will be released as they become available, and updates on COVID-19 information can be found here. If you have questions, please reach out to jfox@indianahistory.org.
Students may choose to participate in a regional contest, where they can qualify for the State contest. If they choose to compete at the State contest, they may qualify for the national contest in College Park, Maryland. There are three divisions: Youth Division (grades 4-5), Junior Division (grades 6-8) and Senior Division (grades 9-12). Junior and Senior divisions are eligible for nationals. While contests can develop additional skills and provide helpful feedback on projects, teachers are free to participate in as much or as little of the formal contests as they desire.
Educators who judge at NHDI contests can earn PGP points. Sign up to judge here.
If you are interested in entering a regional contest, all educators and students should complete the registration information for the specific contest. All registration will run through the National registration system, found here.
For a list of regional winners from the previous year, contact Jonnie Fox at nhdi@indianahistory.org.
Contests can be a fun way to display the hard work you put into your project. If you have never been to a contest before, contests can seem daunting. On contest day, be sure to arrive early, so you have plenty of time to register and set up your project. Also, make sure to bring four copies of your process paper and bibliography for judging. It is always a good idea to bring snacks, water and activities for after your judging time.
You will also have an interview with the judges on contest day. While judges may ask any questions they have, here are some common questions to thing about before the contest.
- Why did you choose this topic?
- Could you explain how your project relates to this year’s theme?
- What was your most valuable source and why?
- How do you think your topic impacted history?
- What was the most interesting thing you learned?
- (For groups) How did you divide up the work? How did you decide on who did what?
- What was the most challenging thing about your project?
- Why did you choose to create a (paper, documentary, exhibit, website, performance)?
- As you did your research, what surprised you most about the topic?
- How did your primary sources help you understand the topic?
- How did your thesis evolve? Did it change from when you started researching to when you were assembling your project?
- What is the most important point you are trying to convey about your topic? Why?
- Why did you pick this topic?
- What were the most important factors which caused (the event in question) to occur?
- What did you learn about this topic that you didn’t know before?
- Did you find conflicting information in your sources? If so, how did you deal with this?
- Is there anything you weren’t asked that you would like to talk about? (Tip: Always say something to this question!)
Ivy Tech Community College Fort Wayne Coliseum Campus, Fort Wayne – Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020
Registration due by Monday, Feb. 3 at 11:59 p.m.
Papers due to NHDI office by Thursday, Feb. 6 at 11:59 p.m.
Websites lock Thursday, Feb. 6 at 11:59 p.m.
Registration is now open.
John Young Middle School, Mishawaka – Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020
Registration due by Monday, Feb. 10 at 11:59 p.m.
Papers due to NHDI office by Thursday, Feb. 13 at 11:59 p.m.
Websites lock Thursday, Feb. 13 at 11:59 p.m.
Registration is now open.
Sample Northwest Region Contest Schedule
Carmel High School Freshman Center, Carmel – Saturday, March 7, 2020
Registration due by Monday, Feb. 24 at 11:59 p.m.
Papers due to NHDI office by Thursday, Feb. 27 at 11:59 p.m.
Websites lock Thursday, Feb. 27 at 11:59 p.m.
Registration is now open.
Sample Central Region Contest Schedule
Franklin College, Franklin – Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020
Registration due by Monday, Feb. 17 at 11:59 p.m.
Papers due to NHDI office by Thursday, Feb. 20 at 11:59 p.m.
Websites lock Thursday, Feb. 20 at 11:59 p.m.
Registration is now open.
Sample South Region Contest Schedule
Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center, Indianapolis – Wednesday, March 18, 2020
Registration due by Monday, March 9 at 11:59 p.m.
Papers due to NHDI office by Thursday, March 12 at 11:59 p.m.
Websites lock Thursday, March 12 at 11:59 p.m.
Registration is now open.
Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center, Indianapolis – Thursday, March 19, 2020
Registration due by Monday, March 9 at 11:59 p.m.
Papers due to NHDI office by Thursday, March 12 at 11:59 p.m.
Websites lock Thursday, March 12 at 11:59 p.m.
Registration is now open.
Hanover College, Hanover – Saturday, March 14, 2020
Registration due by Monday, March 2 at 11:59 p.m.
Papers due to NHDI office by Thursday, March 5 at 11:59 p.m.
Websites lock Thursday, March 5 at 11:59 p.m.
Registration is now open.
University of Evansville, Evansville – Friday, March 13, 2020
Registration due by Monday, March 2 at 11:59 p.m.
Papers due to NHDI office by Thursday, March 5 at 11:59 p.m.
Websites lock Thursday, March 5 at 11:59 p.m.
Registration is now open.
Indianapolis – Saturday, April 25, 2020
Registration due by Friday, April 10 at 11:59 p.m.
Papers due to NHDI office by Tuesday, April 14 at 11:59 p.m.
Websites lock Tuesday, April 14 at 11:59 p.m.
Students must compete at a regional contest and advance in order to compete at the State Contest.
June 14-18, 2019 at the University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
Registration closes May 19, 2019 at 11:59 p.m.
