United States History Semester Research Project

IntroductionNational History Day is an EPIC Nerdfest for history buffs. As a US History student, you

will be expected to create a glorious research project and participate in this year’s National History Day Competition. You will create an NHD project during the Fall Semester and complete the project during the early part of Spring Semester.

Theme – Rights and Responsibilities in HistoryEvery year National History Day frames students' research within a historical theme. The

theme is chosen for the broad application to world, national or state history and its relevance to ancient history or to the more recent past. This year's theme is Rights and Responsibilities in History. Your NHD project must formulate a thesis that fits within this thematic framework.  Choose a topic that analyzes the fight for change, the efforts of individuals who worked for greater freedoms -- or the dictators who tried to crush them.  In what ways has this topic affected history?  What were the successes and failures of this turning point?  What were the results?

Fame and FortuneEach of your semester projects will be entered into the National History Day competition by

March 1st. If your project makes it beyond the regional and state competitions, you will receive an all-expense paid trip to the University of Maryland (just outside D.C.) to compete nationally. Some prizes include cash rewards ($5000.00 for example), and scholarships (full-ride scholarships to universities such as the University of Minnesota or the University of Hawaii among others).

Although you are strongly encouraged to enter your project into the national NHD competition, your grade in this class is not dependent upon it. However, every student must finish a project and participate in our BCCHS qualifying round to possibly earn the chance to enter in the Regional Competition held at MSU-Billings in April.

Project Details Presentation Format – narrow your research topic into a strong THESIS, then decide on your

presentation format, which can include one of the following: Historical Research Paper

o Length must be 6-10 pages in MLA format, and complete with footnoted citations (Mr. F can help you with your formatting)

Exhibito Panel or three-dimensional exhibit similar to a science faire exhibit

Performanceo 10-minute creative interpretation/re-enactment of an historical person or event

Media Documentaryo Computer-generated Slide Presentations – presents your research with a

slideshow AND recorded voice-over (DO NOT simply have slide after slide of text)

o Video Documentary – presents your research through a combination of audio and visual presentation

Websiteo Self-contained and interactive method of presenting historical research.

Process Paper – all projects (except the Historical Research Paper) must include a Process Paper that meets all of the following credentials:

Title Page 500 word (approx. 2 pages double spaced) description of your research method and the

importance of your topic to the study of history Annotated Bibliography that lists primary and secondary sources in alphabetical order

and provides a short (one paragraph) description of that source

Calendar of Due Dates (more precise dates will be given later): November Topic Choice, Group Members December Source Materials (Primary and Secondary) January 1st draft of the project March Final draft of the project

Point Value: approx. 1000 pts throughout 1st and 2nd semesters