SPRINGFIELD, Mo., March 02, 2020 – More than 200 students from the middle and high schools in Springfield and surrounding areas are participating in our region’s National History Day contest. These students started working on their research projects at the beginning of the fall semester, if not earlier, and are excited to share their findings with the faculty judges at Missouri State University.

This yearlong program has proven to help students become better thinkers, writers, and more confident and capable researchers. The teachers who incorporate the curriculum into their classrooms create a learning environment where students are encouraged to think like historians. Students’ work begins with choosing a topic and relating it to this year’s theme, Breaking Barriers in History; they then delve into the research that uncovers primary and secondary sources that help them write their main thesis and support it with evidence. Students have the chance to collaborate with each other or work individually to create their NHD projects.

On March 6, 219 students from 21 different classrooms will gather at the Region VII contest on the Missouri State University campus, in Plaster Student Union to showcase their projects. These research projects fall within five competition categories: documentaries, exhibits, papers, performances, and websites. Each project is unique, with students selecting research topics that range from local history to global issues. The National History Day program encourages students to present their findings in creative ways.