History Fairs are conducted in accordance with rules developed for the National History Day competition.
Entries are judged based upon adherence to the theme provided for that year and to specified criteria.
School winners advance to the Hillsborough County History Fair, sponsored by Tampa Bay History Center. Top two entries in each category at the County History Fair advance to State History Fair at Florida State University in Tallahassee in May. Top two there go to National History Day at the University of Maryland in June.
�History Day inspires kids to expect a great deal from themselves, to get over fears, to realize that every story has multiple layers and many dimensions. One of the things I have gained is the ability to form opinions and take action based upon thorough research. Because I know how to question, I believe I am a better citizen of this country. No blind faith or cynicism for me! History has made me see a strong connection between our past and our future.�
Mattie Weiss, a student at South High in Minneapolis
In November, we'll get started on the projects and I'll give you a lot more information.
Here's some of the basics. There are seven categories in which to enter the History Fair. You can enter only one.
Individual and Group Exhibits
Individual and Group Documentaries
Individual and Group Performances
Individual Historical Papers
Exhibits are visual representations of a topic and its significance in history, much like a small museum exhibit. Labels and captions are used creatively with visual images to enhance the message of an exhibit.
Most exhibits will be submitted on 3-part foldable exhibit boards, such as those available at Office Depot or Staples. They can be on any surface, however, so long as they do not exceed 40� wide, 30� deep and 6� high. The exhibit may include a media device (tape recorder, projector etc). If so, it cannot run longer than 3 minutes.
The entire exhibit cannot include more than 500 of the student�s words.
Group exhibits may include 2-3 students.
Documentaries allow students to use audiovisual equipment to communicate a topic�s significance. The presentation must be original, and the student must be able to operate the equipment.
A documentary may include photographs, film, video, audio, computers and graphic presentations. The documentary may not exceed 10 minutes, with not longer than 5 minutes to set up and 5 minutes to remove all props.
Group Documentaries may have 2-3 participants.
Performances may be dramatic presentations, skits, songs, poems or readings. These must be original productions and cannot simply be dramatic readings of historical documents or speeches.
The dramatic portrayal may not exceed 10 minutes, with not longer than 5 minutes to set up and 5 minutes to remove all props.
Group performances may include 2-5 students.
Most Historical Papers will be research papers, but a historically-based creative paper, such as a fictional diary or an epic poem will also fit in this category.
The text must be 1500-2500 words. The student must also submit citations or footnotes. The paper may include illustrated captions and an appendix. Citations or footnotes are required to credit the sources of specific ideas and direct quotations. The paper must have a cover page, and be on 8�� x 11� paper, with 1-inch margins on all sides, double spaced, and stapled in the top left hand corner.