National History Day - Parents
-
Thank you for supporting your student as they research and analyze history. Find information about National History Day and how to help your student in this process.
-
WHAT is NHD?
The program: National History Day is more than just a day; it is an academic enrichment program for 6th-12th graders. Kids all across the country (and world) create NHD projects.
The project: Students can research any type of history and create a project. Encourage them to:
- Choose whatever kind of history they are interested in: sports, war, music, cultural, environmental, political, etc.
- Pick how they want to show their information: exhibit, website, documentary, paper, or performance.
The competition: Competing is optional. If your student decides to compete, there are different levels of competition.
- School level (optional): if your child’s whole grade level or class participates, the teacher may host an afterschool event to pick which projects advance.
- Regional level: Wisconsin hosts regional events based on county. Email us to ask where your student’s regional is located.
- State level: Each regional sends the top 3 entries in each category to compete at the University of Wisconsin—Madison. This contest is always in early to mid April.
- National level: The top winners from every state (and some countries) compete at the University of Maryland campus.
Please Note: Website and paper projects are submitted earlier than other projects because proper judging of these categories requires advanced viewing.
HOW CAN I HELP MY CHILD?
My student(s) told me a little, I want to learn more:
Explore this website and the National website to learn about the history of the program, how NHD works, and what other states are doing!
I want to support my student! When and where do I need to be?
- Ask your student’s teacher about how they determine who moves on to the Regional competition.
- Find out where your regional competition is located.
- Learn more about the state contest.
- Browse the National website for examples, resources and program information here.
How can I help my child?
- Remember this is their project.
- Encourage their creative side.
- Ask why they chose their topic.
- Take them to a local library.
- Ask them to tell you more about their project (the best way to check if they know something is if they can teach other people).
Where are these Contests?
- For detailed information, check out our CONTESTS tab:
- Madison – UW Madison Campus
- Green Bay – UW Green Bay Campus
- Eau Claire – UW Eau Claire Campus
- Milwaukee North
- Stevens Point – UW Stevens Point Campus
- Milwaukee – UW Milwaukee Campus
- Minocqua – Lakeland Union High School
- La Crosse – UW La Crosse Campus
- State – UW Madison Campus
- Nationals – University of Maryland
Have More Questions?
Explore answers to commonly asked questions about National History Day in Wisconsin.