500 students participate in Regional History Day at Shoreline Center

Vicki Stiles, Director of the Shoreline Historical Museum, presenting
the Museum's Northwest King County History Day Award to Ashley Gothenquist,
a student at Northshore Junior High.  Ashley's project was an individual web site,
entitled "The Hiram Chittenden Locks and the Lake Washington Ship Canal;
How it Changed Seattle's History." Ashley's teacher is Alan Plummer.
Don Wilson Photographer

Almost 500 students in grades 6 through 12 from all over north King County participated Wednesday, March 20, 2013 in this year's North Puget Sound History Day contest at the Shoreline Center.

Judges reviewing a project
Don Wilson Photographer

Of the 347 separate historical research projects reviewed by three-person panels of judges, 79 qualified to go on to the next stage in this national contest: the state contest to be held at Bellevue College on Saturday, May 4. There, students from seven different regional contests will show their exhibits, documentaries, papers, web sites, and performances to judges in hopes of being selected to compete in the national contest at the University of Maryland in June.

Results here

The projects represent weeks, if not months of work
Don Wilson Photographer

That national contest is the culmination of a year-long academic program that asks students to select a topic of historical significance and show its connection to the theme of the year which, this year, is "Turning Points in History: People, Ideas, Events."  Students begin by reviewing what other writers think they know but must add to their understanding by finding the same sorts of primary sources that historians use and then using them to construct their own historical interpretations.

Over 150 adults devote a day of their time as judges to review the work of these young scholars as they develop their ability to read carefully, write and speak clearly, and think critically.

There's time for a laugh in the hallway
Don Wilson Photographer

The public is welcome at any or all of the seven regional contests as well as the state contest at Bellevue College on Saturday, May 4. 2013. Information about that contest and directions on how to volunteer to serve as a judge are provided by Mark Vessey of the Washington State Historical Society.

Interested in supporting next year's regional contest at the Shoreline Center? Contact Randy Schnabel.