Winners at the 2008 Idaho History Day competition. (Click on image for larger view.)

Two hundred ninety students from around the state participated in 2008 Idaho History Day, held April 11. Read a list of awards and special awards.

• Regional Contact Information and Dates
• Regional Application Form
• Read our new guide for researching Idaho history. (Note: The document is designed primarily for student and novice researchers who wish to investigate Idaho topics, but also includes more in-depth information for those wishing to participate in the Idaho and National History Day program.)
  
  

Idaho History Day is an exciting way for students to study and learn about historical issues, ideas, people, and events. This yearlong educational program fosters academic achievement and intellectual growth. In addition to acquiring useful knowledge and perspective during the series of regional, state, and national competitions, students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills that will help them manage and use information now and in the future.

The program begins in the fall, at the start of the school year. Curriculum and contest materials are distributed to History Day coordinators and teachers throughout the country from the National History Day office located on the campus of the University of Maryland in College park, Maryland. Students are invited to conduct research on a topic of their choice that fits with the annual theme.

Topics for research can have family, local, state, national, or world significance. Whatever topic is chosen, students are encouraged to conduct both primary and secondary research. After analyzing and interpreting their information, students present their findings in papers, exhibits, performances, and documentary presentations that are evaluated by historians and educators. Students can choose to work individually or in groups of two to five on their entries.

For more information contact:

The National History Day Office 0119 Cecil Hall University of Maryland College Park, Maryland 20742 (301) 314-9739 http://nationalhistoryday.org
	www.history.com
Idaho History Day Coordinator Karen Grindle History Day Coordinator Idaho Historical Museum 610 N Julia Davis Drive Boise, Idaho 83702 (208) 334-2120, ext. 19 E-mail

Frequently Asked Questions

• Are there prizes for the winners?
• What grade levels can participate?
• How do I find out about categories?
• Can student not enrolled in a public school participate?
• How does a student compete in a regional competition?
• How does a student take part in the state competition?
• How does a student take part in the national competition?
• Is there an entry fee?
• How do I find out the rules?
• What is this year's theme?
• How do I start my research?
• How do I apply for scholarships?
  

Are there prizes for the winners?
There is a wide variety of prizes available at the Idaho History Day state-level competition. To be eligible for any of these awards, students must compete in the Idaho History day program.

First and second place winning entries from each Regional level contest of the Idaho History Day program are eligible to compete at State level competition. Awards presented at the State contest include ribbons, medals, scholarships, cash prizes, gift certificates, books, organization memberships, etc. First and second place entries from the junior and senior divisions of the State competition may advance to the National History Day contest held at the University of Maryland. The National contest also has a wide range of special prizes. See www.nationalhistoryday.org for more information.

2008 Idaho History Day Special Awards include:

• The College of Idaho $20,000, $10,000, $5,000 Scholarships—Outstanding 9th, 10th, or 11th grade Individual Entries, any category
  
• Idaho Centennial Scholarship $2,000—Outstanding 11th or 12th grade Individual Entry on an Idaho topic Scholarship for use at any Idaho College or University (Teacher of student also receives $250)
  
• Boise State University $250—Outstanding Senior Division Entry, any category; $200 cash—Outstanding Junior Division Entry, any category
  
• Charles Redd Center for Western Studies--$100 cash—Outstanding Senior and Junior Division Historical Papers on a western topic
  
• Idaho Governor's Trophy--$400 for the Best of the Best Entry, any division, category
  
• Idaho AFL/CIO--$100 Outstanding Entry on Labor History, any division, category
  
• Idaho Military History Museum--$100 + membership Outstanding Senior Exhibit on Military History
  
• Native American History--$100 Outstanding Entry on Native American History, any division, category
  
• Merle Wells Historic Preservation--$200 Outstanding Entry Dealing with Preservation, any division, category
  
• Friends of the History Museum--$50 each—Outstanding Youth, Junior and Senior Division Entries on an Idaho topic, any category
  
• Idaho Library Association—Book for the Best Use of Primary Sources in an Entry, any division, category
  
• Human Rights Center—Book for Outstanding Entry on Human Rights Topic
  
• Idaho Basque Museum—Outstanding Entry on Basque History, any division, category (award to be determined)
  

What grade levels can participate?
There are three age divisions: Youth (grades 4-5), Junior (grades 6-8), and Senior (grades 9-12). Regional and state competitions are open to all age divisions. The national competition is for juniors and seniors only.

How do I find out about categories?
Students may choose the Historical Essay, Documentary, Web Site, Performance, or Exhibit category. For complete rules and information, link to www.nationalhistoryday.net

Can student not enrolled in a public school participate?
History Day is open to all the students of Idaho. Public, charter, private, and home schooled students are all encouraged to participate.

How does a student compete in a regional competition?
The first step in the competition is to participate in a regional competition. There are currently 5 history day regions in Idaho. To find out more about your local competition contact the regional coordinator closest to you.

See a list of regional coordinators and deadlines.

We are currently looking for a person or persons to fill the Regional Coordinator position in the Pocatello area. If interested, please contact Karen Grindle, Idaho State Coordinator at idahohistoryday@ishs.idaho.gov. The following arrangements have been made for participating students in this region: Bear Lake County, Bannock County, and Caribou County students will participate in the Idaho Falls Regional competition. Power County, Oneida County and Franklin County students will participate in the Twin Falls competition. See the History Day Schedule above for dates and times.

Entry form available here.

How does a student take part in the state competition?
To be eligible for the state competition, a student must first compete in one of the regional competitions. Top finishers in each category at the regional contests can compete in the state competition held at the College of Idaho on April 11th, 2008. For more information contact your state history day coordinator.

Karen Grindle
History Day Coordinator
Idaho Historical Museum
610 N Julia Davis Drive
Boise, Idaho 83702
(208) 334-2120, ext. 19
E-mail

How does a student take part in the national competition?
Top finishers in the junior and senior divisions of the state competition are eligible to compete in the national competition held in College Park Maryland in June.

Is there an entry fee?
There is a minimal entry fee to help the program cover its expenses. There is a $5.00 fee to enter a regional competition and a $10.00 fee to enter the state competition if paid by the deadline. State entry fees paid after the deadline will be assessed an additional $5.00. See Regional Coordinator and Deadlines for specific deadline dates.

How do I find out the rules?
Since history day is a competition, students must follow specific rules for their entry categories. Rule books can be downloaded from the National History Day Web site at http://nationalhistoryday.org

What is this year's theme?
Every year the competition is based around a unique theme. The 2007-2008 theme is "Conflict and Compromise in History."
Visit the History Day web site at www.nationalhistoryday.org

How do I start my research?
Your local library and general internet sites are great places to get started, but once you get your topic focused you'll need to do some more precise research. You can get some hints on research strategy from the National History Day web site at http://www.nationalhistoryday.org. If you're interested in an Idaho specific topic you can start with this list: Idaho resources. (PDF format).

How do I Apply for Scholarships?
To be eligible for the college scholarships, you must be in the Senior Division and enter as an Individual (not as one of a group). Scholarships are awarded at the State level only. To be considered for one you must:

• STEP 1: Compete in the Regional History Day competition in an Individual Category, and finish in 1st or 2nd place so that you might advance to the State level contest.
• STEP 2: Compete in the Idaho State History Day competition.
  

• The College of Idaho Scholarships ($20,000, $10,000 and $5,000) will be awarded to superior entries in the any Senior Individual Category.
  
• University of Idaho Scholarship ($1,000) will be awarded to a superior entry in the Senior Individual Exhibit Category.
  
• Idaho Centennial Scholarship ($2,000) will be awarded to a 12th grade student with a superior entry in any Individual Category that focuses on an Idaho topic.
  
• Lewis & Clark State College Scholarship ($250) will be awarded to an outstanding entry in any Senior Division Individual Category