Volunteers needed for Illinois
History Day student competition April 24
Students will present research projects on
‘Turning Points in History’ in Springfield
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[April 05, 2024]
Illinois
History Day, an event that invites students from across Illinois to
create history projects such as exhibits, websites, documentaries,
performances, and research papers on topics of their choice, will
take place April 24 at the Bank of Springfield Center in
Springfield.
This statewide program encourages students in grades 6 through 12 to
delve into Illinois history and culture by researching primary and
secondary source materials. Students advancing from regional
competitions are eligible to compete at the state contest. Top
winners from the state competition will advance to the National
History Day June 9-13 at the University of Maryland.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of National History Day, the 2024
theme is Turning Points in History. This year’s theme invites
students to consider questions of time and place, cause and effect,
change over time, and impact and significance.
“National History Day in Illinois is such an important program for
middle and high school learners to gain skills and confidence in the
history and humanity fields,” said Jenn Edginton, interim director
of the Illinois State Museum. “This program aims to inspire the next
generation of future historians.”
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Illinois History Day relies on
volunteers to be successful. Volunteers are needed the day of
the event to assist with wayfinding, greeting, and tear-down
after the competition is complete.
In addition, volunteer judges are needed, both remotely in the
week leading up to the competition and on the day of the event
for in-person categories and interviews. Volunteer judges do not
need a history degree or background, but organizers prefer that
those interested in judging are familiar with college-level
research methods.
Interested volunteers should contact volunteer coordinator
Lauren Gleason at 217-720-7509 or DNR.IllinoisHistoryDay@illinois.gov.
Illinois History Day began in 1947 as a publication titled
“Illinois Junior Historian” and later “Illinois History”
sponsored at various times by the Illinois State Historical
Society, the Illinois State Historical Library, and the Illinois
Historic Preservation Agency. The first history day fair took
place in 1963, decades before the emergence of a National
History Day.
[Illinois Office of Communication and
Information]
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