1. Breaking Barriers In History
Ohio History Day 101
Breaking Barriers
In History

2. The Heart of it All

3. What is Ohio History Day?
Ohio History Day is a year-long research program for students in grades The program encourages authentic, student-driven historical research, focuses on identifying primary and secondary sources, and requires students to creatively present their argument.

5. History Day Structure

6. How to Implement History Day
Student Choice
Through a History Day Club, students are encouraged to work independently on a project.
Individual Teachers
A single teacher or team requires a History Day project.
Full grade-level integration
Every student in a given grade is required to make a History Day project. Teachers work across curriculums to support the program.

7. History Day Categories
Exhibits
Documentaries
Papers
Performances
Websites

8. Divisions GROUP OR INDIVIDUAL Junior Division Grades 6 - 8
Senior Division
Grades

9. History Day Timeline Spring Winter Fall Contest and review
Research
Fall
Project creation
Winter
Contest and review
Spring
This is a general timeline for creating a project. Teachers are given a lot of flexibility to shape this program for their own classrooms. Projects can be started in January, as long as students are given enough time to work on them.

10. Requirements

11. Requirements: The Basics
Research project with title page
Annotated bibliography citing primary and secondary source materials
Process paper – 500 words or fewer describing how and why they chose their topic and presentation method
During judging - Contest interview

12. This is Not Just a Research Paper!
Historical Significance
Thesis statements tells us why this topic is important in history
Reliable, quality research that backs up the thesis
Relation to the Theme
Connection is apparent in the title and thesis statement
Connection is shown throughout the project
Thoughtfully Designed Project
Well-organized, original, creative
Dynamic, visually appealing, easy to follow

13. The Contest Season

14. School Regional Affiliate National
Contest Progression
School Regional Affiliate National

15. 2020 Theme: Breaking Barriers
in History

16. Defining barrier
Barrier: Something material that blocks or is intended to block passage.
What comes to your mind when you think of physical barriers?
Why are barriers built in the first place?
Who builds them and what do they hope to accomplish?

17. How did breaking natural barriers influence the development of
Defining barrier
Barrier: A natural formation or structure that prevents or hinders movement or action.
What natural barriers come to mind that made movement by people difficult?
How did people come up with ways to break or hurdle barriers like rivers, mountains, oceans, deserts, and jungles?
How did breaking natural barriers influence the development of
a community?

18. Defining barrier
Barrier: Something immaterial that impedes or separates.
In what ways might legislation create or break barriers?
Can ideas be barriers?
How did legal decisions decide questions about social or racial barriers?

19. Are all barriers negative?
What barriers have had positive consequences in history?
What were the long-term effects of broken barriers?

20. Connecting to the theme
Questions to consider:
What is the historical context of the barrier? What were attitudes toward the barrier?
What were some barriers in science, technology, politics, or art?
Was the barrier broken by an individual or a group?
What are some theoretical barriers?
What kinds of topics are allowed for history day? Topics can be from any area of interest including science, the arts, sports, or technology.
What were the short- and long-term effects of the barrier?

21. CONNECTING TO THE THEME: Pitfalls
Biographies
Risk of trying to cover too much information
Giving information about legacy without saying why the legacy is important
Well-known subject matter
Too much competition!
Take a new angle
Look for someone lesser known from the same era
Hero stories
Remember to tell a balanced version of events
Avoid sensationalism
Modern topics
OHD topics should be 20 years old
Start with the modern topic and look for its historical counterpart

22. Connecting to the theme
Build your theme connection into your project.
Identifying a few different areas of connection makes for a stronger project.
Don’t just know it. Show it!
Make sure the connection to the theme is clear in your thesis statement and can be identified without explanation.

23. OHD Summarized History Day Recap
Students choose a historical topic that relates to the theme.
They research it using primary and secondary sources.  
Throughout the year they will learn:
To write a thesis statement
Create an annotated bibliography
Do original research 
Students choose their own project category, so it doesn’t matter if they are artists, performers, technology buffs, or writers, there is something here for them.  
Why do History Day? Because you and your students deserve it! History Day is not only fun, but will also help your students succeed in college or a career!  

27. 2019 Ohio History Day Award Winners from Region 4

28. Documentaries, Performances, & Websites: 2018 Examples
Documentary: On the Front Lines of Faith: Chaplains' Reconciliation of Conflicting Roles in the Vietnam War Performance: From Sea to Shining Sea Website: Great Lakes Great Legacy?: The Compromise of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement More examples available on the National History Day site

29. Contact Us!
Dr. David Simonelli, Region 4 Coordinator Department of History, DeBartolo Hall, Room 533
Youngstown State University
Brianna Treleven, Region 4 AmeriCorps Rep
Department of History, DeBartolo Hall, Room 529
Youngstown State University