Creating a Passion for History through Project-Based Learning

National History Day connects students to the past and creates deeper connections

Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC) was awarded a grant from the National Endowment of the Humanities as part of efforts to increase statewide connection and engagement with the deeply impactful National History Day offering to 6-12^th grade students. MHC is working closely with the National History Day affiliate, the Minnesota Historical Society, who oversees the project for the state. This blog was written by Sammi Jo Papas, Head of History Day and co-coordinator for National History Day in Minnesota.  

A personal interview with former Vice President Mondale, a handwritten letter from Whitey Boulger, uncovering a family member’s internment during World War II, and an internship with Stan Lee of Marvel Comics fame. These are a few examples of discoveries made by students who have participated in National History Day. In Minnesota, over 17,000 students will participate in the program this year, which allows students in grades six through twelve to explore an area of interest in history and connect it to the 2025 theme, “Rights and Responsibilities in History.” Students conduct primary and secondary source research, analyze their findings, and create a project to share their findings, presented as an exhibit, paper, documentary, performance, or website. In the process, they gain critical thinking and research skills, college readiness, and a deeper appreciation for history overall.

Beyond the academic skills that students develop, they are participating in an authentic learning experience. By choosing a topic that excites them, this project can be a student’s first chance to learn about something for which they have a true passion. One student remarked, “The best thing about participating in History Day was learning about a topic that interests me,” while another said, “I loved learning about my topic and seeing it come together into something I can be proud of.” Students are able to draw their own conclusions after conducting significant research, giving them a deeper learning experience than writing a report or taking a test. 85% of students responding to a survey at regional contests said they were more interested in History Day compared to other social studies assignments.

Carol Bliss Quinn, from LaPorte Public Schools in northern Minnesota, has worked with students on History Day projects for nearly 15 years. She says her students “embraced a topic of local history because even though they have lived here their entire lives, they were unfamiliar with the historical significance right in their backyard.” As they deepen their understanding of the past, they become more engaged learners. 91% of regional students in 2024 said they worked harder on their History Day projects compared to other classroom assignments.

History Day participants have the opportunity to participate in a progressive contest cycle, moving from regional contests in March to the Minnesota State History Day contest in Minneapolis in April, and ultimately, the National Contest in Washington D.C. in June. Competitions allow students the opportunity to share their work with judges and the community.

If you are interested in seeing their work and learning from them, History Day is always looking for volunteer judges. Judges should be out of high school, be comfortable providing written feedback, and have an interest in working with students. Each event lasts approximately five hours, and History Day staff provide training to prepare participants for this role. History Day judges often walk away with a greater sense of hope for the future. One judge said, “My favorite part is interacting with the students, particularly those who have taken deep dives into their projects and get excited talking about what they did, thought about, and learned.”

For the past 35 years, the Minnesota Historical Society has been a proud partner of National History Day, supporting its mission to promote a deeper understanding of the past, fostering critical thinking and intellectual growth in future generations. Minnesota History Day has partnered with the Minnesota Humanities Center to create broader networks and increase engagement throughout the state.

Additionally, MHC is offering two teacher workshops this winter that emphasize how to research and present historical content sensitively, in ways that honor and respect diverse communities, with a specific focus on Minnesota’s Native Nations. These workshops are being hosted by the Southwest West Central Service Cooperative in Marshall on December 4 and Sourcewell in Staples on February 6. Learn more at www.mnhum.org/events.  

In addition, MHC is working with the Minnesota Historical Society to increase the number of individuals from diverse backgrounds to serve as judges and providing additional judge training opportunities in late January. This training will last two hours and go through the fundamentals of History Day, how to judge projects, and time to review a sample entry. Those that participate in the educator workshops and the judge training may be eligible to receive a stipend. Interested judges should reach out to Eden Bart at the Minnesota Humanities Center at eden@mnhum.org. Please contact state coordinator Sammi Jo Papas (samantha.papas@mnhs.org) with additional questions about the History Day program or to express an interest in judging.

About National History Day in Minnesota
National History Day in Minnesota is a co-curricular historical research program that builds college readiness and communication skills for middle and high school students. The program is sponsored by the Minnesota Historical Society.

• Regional Contests: Multiple dates throughout March
• State Contest: Sunday, April 27
• National Contest: June 8-12

MHC Educator Workshop

National History Day: Honoring Histories with Care

• December 4 in Marshall, MN
• February 6 in Staples, MN

Program support is also provided by the Legacy Amendment’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the vote of Minnesotans on Nov. 4, 2008.

The Minnesota Historical Society is a nonprofit educational and cultural institution established in 1849. MNHS collects, preserves and tells the story of Minnesota’s past through museum exhibits, libraries and collections, historic sites, educational programs and publishing. Using the power of history to transform lives, MNHS preserves our past, shares our state’s stories and connects people with history. Visit us at mnhs.org.