Missouri State University will once again host the Region VII competition for National History Day (NHD) March 1, 2024, in the Plaster Student Union.

First round judging starts at 9 a.m., followed by potential run-off rounds. The award ceremony begins at 1:30 p.m.

Each year, NHD competitions showcase historical research projects developed by students grades 6-12. Students compete individually or in groups to curate museum-like exhibits, create documentaries, write historical papers, put on a performance or develop a website.

Students in the Region VII competition represent schools in Springfield as well as Christian, Dallas, Douglas, Greene, Hickory, Howell, Laclede, Oregon, Ozark, Polk, Stone, Taney, Webster and Wright counties.

Region VII winners advance to the state-level competition, held in Columbia, Missouri, in April. State winners advance to the national competition in Washington, D.C., in June.

The 2024 NHD theme is “Turning Points in History,” according to the organization’s website.

An educational curriculum, not just a contest

National History Day ends with an exciting competition, but it starts several months earlier as an educational curriculum, according to Sara Zandi, who has served as Region VII coordinator since 2018.

“National History Day is a yearlong academic program that 6-12 grade educators choose to incorporate into their classroom curricula,” Zandi explained. “The curriculum focuses on project- and inquiry-based learning to scaffold learners’ historical thinking and information literacy skills.”

In a given academic year, teachers from 15 different middle and high schools in and around Springfield include NHD in their curriculum, Zandi estimated. The highlight of all that hard work—the competition itself—typically showcases 150-200 student projects.

Learning the historical research process

Once students select a topic that reflects the annual theme, they develop a research question and start working on their projects.

“The annual theme is meant to guide students’ conceptualization and critical understanding of the past,” Zandi said.

During the school year, students learn tasks associated with historical inquiry, such as identifying and evaluating sources, developing thesis statements, analyzing findings and drawing conclusions, Zandi explained. The projects are then “packaged” into one of the five competition categories.

“This type of project-based learning (PBL) allows students to construct meaning on their own, where they go beyond ‘thinking like a historian’ to practice historical thinking in action by ‘doing history,’” Zandi said.

“This practice in doing history turns the classroom into a workshop where learners collaborate with their peers and teachers to grapple with the complexities and contradictions found in historical records of events and peoples,” she added.

Volunteers crucial to event’s success

While the Department of History sponsors NHD for Region VII, Zandi organizes the competition on campus and coordinates the large volunteer effort.

Volunteers include history faculty and graduate assistants and other Reynolds College faculty, who make up the main pool of judges, Zandi said.

“I always enjoy judging because I get to speak with students about their research and their discoveries,” said Dr. Kathleen Kennedy, head of the history department. “It is fun to see them excited about learning and the work they have done to show us what they have learned.”

Depending on the number of contest entries, Zandi will also offer junior and senior secondary education majors the opportunity to serve as judges.

Zandi looks to the wider community as well for volunteers. Qualified members from the History Museum on the Square and the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution have served as judges in past competitions, she said.

“This year we are joined by staff members from Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield of the U.S. National Park Service,” Zandi added.

“We are always glad to have members of the community be a part of History Day. We not only welcome it but seek it out, because these collaborative efforts provide learners with diverse perspectives.”

Ideal reflection of public affairs mission

Zandi sees NHD as an ideal reflection of MSU’s public affairs mission.

“National History Day at MSU is the embodiment of our university’s public affairs mission because it cultivates civic virtues by creating a unique learning experience for 6-12 learners,” she said.

“It is important for students to have familiarity with historical thinking, considering multiple perspectives and critical reading of sources,” Zandi continued. “These types of academic skills develop in tandem with other organizational or ‘soft’ skills like planning, perseverance, effective communication and collaboration—skills necessary for success in higher education and in life.”

Learning process the best end result

Zandi would like to see as much importance placed on completing a History Day project as is placed on its quality.

“Engaged in such a lengthy research project, young learners develop a wide range of transferrable skills, regardless of their educational interests and goals,” Zandi said. “Students who participate year after year become more confident in themselves and their work.”

“For these reasons, I think less emphasis should be placed on the quality of our students’ work and more on the process of engaging them in meaningful and authentic experiences such as National History Day.”

In Zandi’s eyes, competition day seems to capture that sentiment.

“What I enjoy most about my role is seeing the PSU’s third floor bustling with activity as 6-12 grade students set up and prepare for their judging interview,” Zandi said.

“We are proud of all the effort they put into their projects and look forward to learning from them.”

Photos provided by Sara Zandi.