Regional history day at Shoreline Center for student history projects

History Day exhibits 2012
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Students from 23 public and private schools in north and east King County and Bainbridge Island presented their original research on Wednesday, March 21, during the North Puget Sound Regional History Day contest at the Shoreline Center.

Vicki Stiles, Shoreline Historical Museum Director, talks to exhibitors
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

The culmination of a year-long program in which students choose and research a topic, learning historical research principles and strategies, North Puget Sound Regional History Day is part of a national effort to enhance history education and prepare students to become informed and involved citizens.

Prepping for presentation to judges
Photo by Don Wilson

At the Shoreline regional event, 490 students in grades 6 to 12 conducted research and presented their results in one of five categories: exhibits, papers, multi-media documentaries, original performances and websites.

The team is intent, making a last minute review of web sites
Photo by Don Wilson

They worked as individuals or in groups of up to five members. Students were present from the Bainbridge Island, Lake Washington, Mercer Island, Northshore, Seattle, and Shoreline school districts and the Washington Virtual Academy. Private schools participating included Lakeside Upper School, Lake Washington Girls Middle School, and Seattle Prep.

2000 students at the Shoreline Center
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

More than 2,000 students took part in seven regional contests held around the state, competing in the junior (grades 6-8) or senior divisions (grades 9-12). They hoped to qualify for the state competition at Bellevue College on Saturday, May 5. The top two finishers in each category at state will compete in the national contest June 10 to 14 at the University of Maryland, College Park.

"The regional contest gives students a chance to get some good feedback on their projects," said North Puget Sound History Day Regional Coordinator Randy Schnabel, a retired Shorewood High School history teacher. "It's not unusual to see projects that are college-level or better. Students put their heart, soul and brain into their research, and it shows."

Vicki Stiles with Stephen Li, who won a specific category
and received a certificate and $100
Photo by Don Wilson 

This year's contest theme is "Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History." Students have applied the theme creatively, according to Schnabel. "History Day students have done extensive research on a wide variety of topics, and the results are impressive."

As part of the judging, students were interviewed about their project, provided a complete bibliography and a paper describing their research process.

Learn more about History Day