History Day 2013
Turning Points in History

History Day at SCSU | Topic Information | History Day Helpers | How to Be a Volunteer Judge

Central Minnesota History Day Regional Competition - March 23, 2013

Contact us at HistoryDay@stcloudstate.edu

History Day at SCSU

National History Day is a yearlong program that engages students in grades six through 12 in the study and analysis of history. Students choose a topic that relates to a national theme – the theme for 2013 is “Turning Points in History: People, Ideas, Events”– and gather primary and secondary materials on that topic. The students then analyze the information they discover and present their findings at competitions in a dramatic performance, a documentary, a museum-like exhibit, or an historical paper. Local and regional competitions take place in early spring, the Minnesota History Day competition is in early May, and for students who advance to the final level, the national competition takes place each year in June at the University of Maryland, College Park.  For more information about the state contest and teacher registration, see their website at http://education.mnhs.org/historyday/.  For more information on the National History Day Contest, visit their website at http://www.nationalhistoryday.org/.

History Day offers an opportunity for students to explore their interests in history in greater depth, accumulate valuable research and analytical skills, and discover for themselves the value of the study of the past. For the community, History Day offers a chance to participate as local students create their own learning opportunities and examine topics relating to world, national, state and local history.  Judges will not only show support for students’ enthusiasm for history, but also will give them the opportunity to interact with leading citizens of the region and demonstrate to the students that this community has an interest in their projects and research.  Past judges include current and emeriti history faculty from St. Cloud State University, history faculty from the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University, state representatives and senators, graduate students in history, undergraduate history majors and Social Studies Teaching majors, as well as alumnae in both these areas, central Minnesota teachers and administrators.

St. Cloud State University has hosted this contest for over twenty five years.  It has enjoyed participation from public and private schools in St. Cloud, Sauk Rapids, Rice, Long Prairie, Willmar, Chisago Lakes, Buffalo, Milaca, St. Francis, Albany, St. Joseph, Cedar Creek, Eden Valley, Watkins, Zimmerman, St. Michael, Albertville, Holdingford, Big Lake, Becker, Princeton, Elk River, and Cokato, as well as a number of home schools in central Minnesota.

The 2013 Contest is scheduled for Saturday, March 23rd, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Atwood Memorial Center.  The awards ceremony will be held the same day at 2:00 p.m. in Ritchie Auditorium in Stewart Hall.

Topic Information: Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History: Successes, Failures, Consequences by Jessica Ellison

The 2013 National History Day theme, “Turning Points in History: People, Ideas, Events,” is an old favorite; it has a great capacity for topic variety, and it encourages analysis from the outset.
Students’ challenge with this theme is to argue that an historical person, idea or event is actually a turning point, so from the beginning, students need to think about their topic’s role in changing a historical direction.

Proving change is not enough for “Turning Points.” To be a turning point, a topic must show decisive change of direction, a departure from long-held tradition or rule, a critical pivot, or a moment of upheaval. Many historical events create change, but a turning point is sharper: a point when history effectively turns a corner.

For more details about this year’s theme, visit the following page on the National History Day in Minnesota website: http://education.mnhs.org/historyday/theme-information

History Day Helpers

We provide support for teachers and students involved with Central MN Regional History Day

Annie Allen- MN Regional History Day Coordinator at SCSU: My role is to organize the History Day intern involvement at area schools. I am a resource for both new and participating schools as they develop their History Day programs. My other role is to coordinate the Central MN regional competition at SCSU on March 23, 2013.

Interns- Aubree Eid, Natalie Motl, Timothy Willging and Jacob Barraza-Hibbard:  Our role is to provide direct student support through school visits and SCSU campus library days.

To contact us for any questions, further information, to schedule school visits, or to schedule library days email us at HistoryDay@stcloudstate.edu.

History Day Judging

Who:  People with an interest in History and want to make a difference in the lives of local students.

What:  Free lunch and free t-shirt provided for a fun filled day of judging History Day projects!

When: Saturday March 23, 2013 approximately 8:00am to 2:00pm.

Where: Saint Cloud State University in the Atwood Memorial Center (AMC)

How to become a volunteer judge:Fill out the judge's form (docx) and either email it to the History Day coordinator at alan1102@stcloudstate.eduor send it to:

Annie Allen
C/O:  History Department
720 4th Avenue South
St. Cloud, Minnesota 56301-4498