An innovative approach to individualized research and passion-based learning
Introduction to the National History day Project annual theme:
Every year National History Day frames students’ research within a historical theme. The theme is chosen for the broad application to world, national or state history and its relevance to ancient history or to the more recent past. This year’s theme is Exploration, Encounter, Exchange in History. The intentional selection of the theme for NHD is to provide an opportunity for students to push past the antiquated view of history as mere facts and dates and drill down into historical content to develop perspective and understanding.
The NHD theme provides a focused way to increase students’ historical understanding by developing a lens to read history, an organizational structure that helps students place information in the correct context and finally, the ability to see connections over time.
Every year National History Day frames students’ research within a historical theme. The theme is chosen for the broad application to world, national or state history and its relevance to ancient history or to the more recent past. This year’s theme is Exploration, Encounter, Exchange in History. The intentional selection of the theme for NHD is to provide an opportunity for students to push past the antiquated view of history as mere facts and dates and drill down into historical content to develop perspective and understanding.
The NHD theme provides a focused way to increase students’ historical understanding by developing a lens to read history, an organizational structure that helps students place information in the correct context and finally, the ability to see connections over time.
Brainstorming & Research
Over the past few weeks, students have begun their preliminary research and have proposed their topics. Students are working individually or in groups to extend their knowledge of historical topics and draw connections between history and their lives today. Students will create exhibits, documentaries, performances, websites, or individual research essays to present their information and make an argument about their topic's impact on history. Below, we have highlighted some outstanding topics so far and have included a gallery of brainstorming and research days. Please check back for updates on our progress and special featured projects throughout this process!
BHHS Students are all "aTwitter" |
This week, students have been researching their NHD topics and have taken the Twitter community by storm! Special thanks to the @NationalHistory Twitter account for supporting and encouraging our students and connecting them with history buffs across the country. Check out the Twitter feed on our home page for a glimpse at the National History Day Twitter chats.
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What are we researching?
I will be researching traditional medicine and how it was prevalent, how it spread, and how it has appeared western medicine practices. (N.Z.)
The Munich Massacre of 1972 Summer Olympic Games. We want to explain this event and how it affected the Olympic Games and later Olympians. We would like to get perspectives from current and past Olympians from multiple countries and how the event affected their trips to the Olympic Games. (C.R. & L.A.)
We are interested in studying the exploration of women's rights post civil war. The women rights activist's encountered many issued through process of fighting, for example the government wouldn't listen to their ideas, and men discriminated them and they couldn't have equal opportunities. We are interested in studying this topic because we want to see the progress of the growth of women's rights. (N.S. and S.M)
I want to study intellectual history and how specific people like John Locke and Voltaire affected the social and economic history of the time period they lived in.Also, I will probably talk a lot about the Enlightenment and Great Awakening as well as other philosophers in America.(E.H.)
I want to study the Exchanges from the Chinese rule of Taiwan. I'm interested in this because my family is from Taiwan and I want to learn more about Taiwanese history and how the culture was shaped and formed. (E.S.)
We will be exploring the relationship between England and Australia between 1788-1850. During this time period, the British shipped off convicts, debters, and prisoners of war to Australia to repay their faults by exploring new land.(N.G., J.G., J.M.)
I would like to study the exchanges of information contributing/leading to technological advancements. I am interested in studying this specific topic because without these exchanges, our world would be totally different today. In addition, since technology is such a big part of our lives, I would like to know how it all got started such as who thought of certain ideas and how these ideas were passed down from one to another to create an end result of such high-end and technological advancements. (H.A.)