Please ensure that you have read and understood the National History Day Contest rules. The Contest Rule Book includes information on Fair Use, Plagiarism, Rule Infraction, and Disqualification. In addition to your specific project category rules, the Contest Rule Book includes 22 Rules for All Categories. It is very important that you familiarize yourself with these rules as well as the Individual Category Rules.
National History Day at Missouri State Universtiy is the regional affiliate of National History Day in Missouri. Each year students from area schools around and in Springfield - grades 6 to 12 - participate in this innovative educational program. They conduct extensive research on a historical subject that they choose and present findings their way by creating documentaries, exhibits, papers, performances, or websites.
The winners in the junior and senior divisions in each category advance to the state contest at the University of Missouri in April. Top winners then earn the opportunity to serve as Missouri delegates to the National History Day Contest in College Park, Maryland in June.
Missouri's students represent the Show-Me State well, frequently bringing home medals in both junior and senior divisions, being part of Breakfast on the Hill, and showcasing their work at the National Meseum of American History.
Get started with National History Day in Missouri today!
The National History Day contest can seem overwhelming to participants attending for the first time. To help make students and their families more at ease, we have compiled information to help acquaint you with what you can expect at the National History Day Contest.
The National History Day Contest will take place on the third floor of the Plaster Student Union (PSU) on the campus of Missouri State University.
Please arrive at least 30 minutes before the start of the competition to find your room and complete setting up any materials you have with you. Judging begins at 9:00 AM. Once you have had your interview with the judges, please leave the judging room and return to your classmates and teachers.
Note that all foods for lunch must be purchased from one of the union vendors as deliveries from outside are not allowed.
After lunch, winners will be announced at our Awards Ceremony at 1.30 PM in the Theater hall on the second floor.
Judging Criteria:
Historical Quality (60%)
- Historical accuracy
- Historical context
- Analysis and interpretation
- Use of available primary sources
- Wide research
- Balanced research
Relation to Theme (20%)
- Clearly relates to theme
- Demonstrates significance of topic in history and draws conclusions
Clarity of Presentation (20%)
- Presentation, written materials are original, clear, appropriate, organized and articulate
- Entry is organized; visual impact is appropriate to topic
NHD relies on consensus judging. That means that instead of giving entries numeric scores, you will be ranking them. If you are confirmed as a judge, you will serve with one other judge, one will be designated as the captain. It is important that the judging team agrees on the overall rankings of the entries you judge.