Why Should History Day Scholars and Teachers Receive Commendations in Annapolis
Eight exceptional student scholars and two dedicated teachers will receive commendations tonight during Maryland Senate and House of Delegates sessions in Annapolis for receiving national honors at the National History Day competition.
History Day students receiving their awards.
Sure, students achieve in all sorts of areas, from sports, to science fairs, and the arts, but what is it about success at a History Day competition that is worthy of such recognition?
What sets this competition apart from other types of student achievement? Because when students study history, they learn what it means to be human, and their immersion into the lessons of the past builds an informed citizenry, cultural understanding, and fulfills a need for shared identity. History isn’t just a review of our legacy. It molds our future.
The writer Sam Ewing said “Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don’t turn up at all.” It isn’t often that a singular school project requires students to tap into their creativity, delve into primary source research and develop a project over the course of a school year. They pick a topic based upon a broad annual topic, and can choose to work in groups or individually. Projects can be in the form of a website, historical exhibit, interpretive research paper, dramatic performance, or multi-media documentary. Because students are empowered to explore topics of interest to them in a modality of their choosing, Maryland History Day provides an active learning experience that will stick with these kids for a lifetime. Math and science teach important skills, but history also connects us with our humanity during a technologically driven, instant message, 140-character world.
Last year National History Day (NHD) released the findings of an independent study that showed that this competition teaches critical thinking, writing, research skills and boosts performance across all subjects, that NHD students perform better on standardized tests, and that the contest prepares students for college, career, and citizenship You can read the key findings of the report or a summary on our site.
Watch this short video from NHD about their findings: History Day: It’s More than Just a Day…It’s an Experience.
On behalf of MHC, congratulations to these young scholars! To view a list of the students and teachers traveling to Annapolis today, visit the MHD News page. Look to MHC’s History Day Facebook page and our MHC Fan page for pictures from today’s activities.
Tags: Annapolis, History Day, Maryland History Day, National History Day, students achieve
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January 1st, 2013 at 7:20 am
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January 2nd, 2013 at 12:32 pm
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