Northwest Region History Day Contest

About the Contest

National History Day is a fun event that encourages students to become historians by developing research, analysis, presentation and social skills. Working individually or in groups, junior (grades 6-8) and senior (9-12) division students select a topic related to an annual theme. They conduct extensive historical research using primary sources, articles, and books, then distill their research and analysis into a dramatic performance, multimedia documentary, museum exhibit, website, or research paper.

National History Day and its state affiliate Washington History Day provide leading-edge training and curriculum materials to help educators meet and exceed education standards. Annual workshops help educators learn how to adopt National History Day in their classrooms, while also offering strategies that make history education interesting, exciting and fun for students.

Students may choose to compete in the regional contest held in March, entering their project against others in the same division and category. Regional winners advance to the Washington History Day state contest, held in late April or early May.  The Northwest Region History Day Contest serves the Island, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, and Whatcom counties.

Students who finish in first and second place at State in each category go on to the National contest, held in mid-June at the University of Maryland in College Park.

Northwest Region History Day Contest

Where and when is the contest?

In-person entries (Documentaries, Exhibits, Performances): Saturday, March 9, 2024 at the Sky Valley Education Center in Monroe. Judging will start at 9:00 a.m. and continue throughout the day.

Virtual entries (Papers, Websites): These categories will be judged remotely in the weeks before the day of the contest.  Students with virtual entries are welcome to attend the Awards Ceremony, which usually begins around 5:00 p.m. on contest day (March 9) at the Sky Valley Education Center in Monroe.

When is the state contest?

The date and place of the state contest have not yet been announced, but it usually occurs in late April.  Wait for an official announcement before making plans to travel.

What if I have more questions?

Please talk to your child’s teacher if you have more questions about the contest.  You may also contact Mary Fitzmaurice, Northwest Region contest coordinator.

 
Northwest Region History Day Contest

Judging Criteria

If you have questions about the judging process, please feel free to view judging process as outlined in this slideshow. (This slideshow will be updated to reflect the 2024 theme and rules.). The NHD Contest Rulebook guides students, teachers, judges and contest organizers.  See Contest Rules HERE.  Judging rubrics and interpretations are based on it. 

Historical Quality (80%)

• Historical Argument (i.e. Thesis)
• Wide research
• Primary sources
• Historical context
• Multiple Perspectives
• Historical accurac
• Significance in History
• Student Voice

Clarity of Presentation (20%)

• Written Materials and Visuals, Audio, Performance
• Technical

You will have an opportunity to express your preferences for which categories you are willing to judge.  Detailed judging instructions will be provided for each category of student entry.

Let us know if you have any questions: Mary Fitzmaurice.

Again, thank you so much for being willing to judge at the contest!