History Fair 2016

What is the history fair? Program that allows students to conduct research on a world, national, state or local topic. This year’s theme : Exploration, Encounter, Exchange.

What is Exploration? Exploration is: the action of traveling in or through an unfamiliar area in order to learn about it. thorough analysis of a subject or theme. Encounter is: unexpectedly experience or be faced with (something difficult or hostile) an unexpected or casual meeting with someone or something What is Exchange?  Exchange is:  an act of giving one thing and receiving another (especially of the same type or value) in return.  give something and receive something of the same kind in return What is Encounter?

Topics Students may only choose a topic from the approved US Civics topic list.

Parent’s Role 1. Give encouragement, support and guidance. 2. Make sure your child feels it is his or her project. Make sure the work is the work of the child. 3. Realize the main goal of a National History Day project is to help your child use and strengthen the skills they have learned and developed. The main goal should not be a contest, medal or prize. 4. Assist your child or children as they conduct research. Adults can help students locate materials, but students should take notes, conduct interviews, etc. 5. Make sure your child is doing a project they are interested in or excited about.

Parent’s Role 6. Help your child plan a mutually agreed upon timeline to prevent a last-minute project. Talk with your child's teacher to find out the timetable for completing an NHD project. We suggest allowing 12 weeks from start to finish. 7. Provide transportation for research trips to libraries, museums, universities, etc. 8. Work with your child to evaluate the content on web sites visited for research. Make sure the site is a reliable source of information. Encourage your child to explore resources beyond the Internet. Only a fraction of available primary source documents can be found online. 9. Learn about your community with your child. Find out what kinds of museums and historical sites are in your area. Your child may even want to do a project on your family history. Get involved in your child’s learning process and share this experience. 10. Help at your local school or district NHD contests. Contact your child’s teacher or your NHD district coordinator to volunteer.

Plagiarism/ Copyright  Copying photos, animations, greeting cards: These are all copyrighted works and should not be displayed on a personal site without obtaining permission.  Copying photos and paragraphs of text for a school report: School reports are considered fair use, but the creators should be credited.  Copying and rearranging paragraphs of text for a school report: Rearranging copied paragraphs is plagiarism, unless credit is given to each source. If the intent was to make it the student's work, then the ideas would have to be put in the student's own words.  Copying passwords to enter systems without permission or paying: This is illegal.

Plagiarism/ Copyright  Copying and selling music files: In all cases these works are copyrighted and the creators may have not given permission to copy them.  Copying and giving away software: The software creator is being denied a right to earn a living because the friend would otherwise have to purchase the word processor. This is illegal. Software typically comes with information about the purposes for which copies can be made.  Copying movies for personal use: Movies are copyrighted works. By not paying to see the movie, you are denying the creators a right to earn a living.

Categories Exhibit (all grades) Performance (7-8 th grade only) Documentary ( 7-8 th grade only) Web Site (all grades) *Projects can be done individually or in a group. *Groups cannot have more than 3 people.

1. Exhibit Visual representation of your research and interpretation of your topic’s impact and change in history Much like a museum exhibit Should have visuals with labels and captions

2. Performance A performance is a dramatic portrayal of your topic’s significance in history and must be original in production

3. Documentary A documentary should reflect your ability to use audiovisual equipment and communicate your topic’s significance. Your presentations should use primary materials but also original production

4. Website No more than 1200 visible student-composed words. The entire site including all multimedia, may use up to 100MB of file space

Project Timeline

Determine project type, topic and obtain contract signatures Begin research Have 5 Primary resources and 10 Secondary resources Essential questions & timeline check Process paper ( will be completed in class) Final project due and presentations begin Week of: September 10 th ASAP September 21 th October 5 th October 19 th October 26 th