Reynolds College Blog

MSU hosts National History Day Regional competition March 1

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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.

A child and an adult adjust a display
National History Day contestants set up an exhibit.

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ASB 4-State Competition brings high school talent to MSU

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Man with microphone
ASB 4-State’s Brandon Goodwin encourages the student competitors.

Around 350 high school students from across several states competed in the Academy of Scholastic Broadcasting’s 4-State scholastic video competition Nov. 3-5, 2023, on the Missouri State University campus.

ASB 4-State has hosted the video competition for high school students since 2017, according to Brandon Goodwin, Director of Resources at ASB.

The competition features 24 different journalism and creative media contests that are held over a three-day period.

Students in the 2023 competition came from states including Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Florida, Pennsylvania, Texas and California, according to interim CMJF department head Dr. Deborah Larson.

Several local area high schools competed, including Central, Hillcrest and Nixa, as well as four high schools from the Lee’s Summit, Missouri, area.

“Some schools had as many as 60 kids competing in multiple categories,” Larson said. [Read more…] about ASB 4-State Competition brings high school talent to MSU

MFAA 2024 set for June 2-15

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The next session of the Missouri Fine Arts Academy (MFAA) is scheduled for June 2-15, 2024 on the Springfield campus of Missouri State University.

Red and purple Missouri Fine Arts Academy logoMissouri high school students interested in attending can apply starting Oct. 16, 2023. The application portal will be available through Jan. 28, 2024. Resident assistant and faculty applications are also being accepted.

New director Benzer brings experience and energy

MSU Associate Professor of art and design Dr. Fatih Benzer, appointed MFAA’s new director in August 2023, comes to the Academy with energy and vision. Benzer has been teaching as an art instructor with MFAA since 2021.

“The most exciting aspect for me as the new director of MFAA is to establish a warm and welcoming environment where so many talented students can thrive academically during their brief stay at MSU,” Benzer said. [Read more…] about MFAA 2024 set for June 2-15

School of Criminology and Criminal Justice holds first CSI summer camp

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The School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, in partnership with the Missouri State University Public Safety Training Center, launched its first crime scene investigation (CSI) summer camp July 17-20, 2023.

The entire camp, which was constructed around solving a real-life criminal case, gave 33 high schoolers from Missouri, Arkansas and Kansas a crash course in investigative strategies and forensic techniques. Hands-on activities included fingerprint dusting, lifting and fuming; blood stain and splatter analysis; shoe print casting; firearm tool mark analysis; packaging evidence; report writing and more. [Read more…] about School of Criminology and Criminal Justice holds first CSI summer camp

Associate professor named director of Missouri Fine Arts Academy

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The Missouri Fine Arts Academy (MFAA) begins another journey with Dr. Fatih Benzer as its new director.

The associate professor of art and design at Missouri State University will begin the role this fall.

[Read more…] about Associate professor named director of Missouri Fine Arts Academy