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Students From Across The State To Compete In History Contest
Posted March 30, 2011
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Recent Independent Study Demonstrates Program's Success
BALTIMORE, MD. -- Maryland History Day, the state's largest history competition, is scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 30, 2011 at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). Produced by the Maryland Humanities Council, the competition brings together over 500 talented middle and high school students, representing 17 counties and Baltimore City.
In preparation for the contest, students have spent months conducting research around the theme "Debate & Diplomacy in History: Successes, Failures, Consequences." Projects developed cover a wide range of topics - from women in armed combat, evolution, the Trail of Tears, desegregation in schools, and Japanese internment during WWII, to the Cuban Missile Crisis and government transparency. Students present their research in the form of exhibits, papers, documentaries, performances, and websites, and are interviewed by distinguished judges from universities, libraries, archives, historical societies, and museums.
Over 18,000 students participated in this state-wide competition when they entered projects at school and regional contests. A select group of winners at the state competition will move on to represent Maryland at the Kenneth E. Behring National History Day Contest, June 12 to 16, 2011 at the University of Maryland, College Park. Additional cash awards will be made in various themed categories.
Among the special guests who will attend the awards ceremony to honor Maryland History Day students and participate in the presentation of medals and prizes are Maryland Senate President Michael Miller and Assistant State Superintendent for Instruction Mary Cary.
"Maryland History Day encourages students to develop analytical skills that prepare them for a lifetime of learning and engagement with the world around them," says Phoebe Stein Davis, the Maryland Humanities Council's Executive Director. "The impact is much broader than the competition itself; the skills students gain encourages them to be life-long learners."
National History Day Findings Report Positive Impact Recently National History Day (NHD) released findings of a study conducted by the independent research firm Rockman, et al. The study spanned four states with a sample size of 458 individuals-274 students who participated in NHD and 184 of their peers who did not. The research team examined performance on standardized tests (on social studies as well as other subjects), performance assessments, and asked students to rate their confidence in these skills and interest in past/current events. Key findings of the study, as reported in the Executive Summary, discovered:
• NHD students outperform their non-NHD peers on state standardized tests, not only in social studies, but in reading, science and math as well.
• NHD students are better writers, who write with a purpose and real voice, and marshal solid evidence to support their point of view.
• NHD students are critical thinkers who can digest, analyze and synthesize information.
• NHD students learn 21st century skills. They learn how to collaborate with team members, talk to experts, manage their time and persevere.
• NHD has a positive impact among students whose interests in academic subjects may wane in high school.
NHD Executive Director Cathy Gorn said of the evaluation findings, "This research confirms what those of us who work with National History Day students have seen anecdotally for years. This program not only helps students improve academically, it can also change their lives. Students who are 'slipping through the cracks' of our education system find their way back and get on track to succeed in school while participating in NHD." For more information about the impact study, go to the NHD Works website for the key findings, executive summary, and full report.
Operated by the Maryland Humanities Council since 1999, Maryland History Day is an affiliate of National History Day, the nation's oldest and most highly regarded humanities contest for students. Maryland History Day is directly aligned with Achievement Matters Most and the Voluntary State Curriculum for Social Studies in Maryland. Maryland History Day is made possible with generous support from the Maryland State Department of Education, Columbia Gas of Maryland, T. Rowe Price Associates, and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Additional support is provided by National History Day and the History Channel.
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