The National History Day (NHD) Teacher Institutes for grade 6-12 educators who are preparing to participate in the NHD competition with their students will be held Thursday, Oct. 24 at the University of Maine and Wednesday, Nov. 20 at the Maine Historical Society in Portland.
NHD is an annual event for grade 6-12 teachers and students interested in developing critical thinking skills and an understanding of the past through original research. This event promotes a project-based approach and provides a hands-on experience for students to discover and explore history. Using primary sources, students complete projects (research papers, exhibits, documentaries, websites or performances) and present them at the Maine statewide competition. This year’s theme is Rights and Responsibilities in History, and the competition will be held April 12 at UMaine.
The Maine DOE’s Center for Best Practice recently posted a short video regarding Whittier Middle School’s integrated approach to NHD at last year’s competition. Five Maine students reached the final round of the NHD contest held at the University of Maryland.
Registered participants for the NHD Teacher Institute will receive contact hours toward recertification. To register for the UMaine event, contact Professor Liam Riordan at riordan@umit.maine.edu or 207-581-1913. To sign-up for the institute in Portland, contact Larissa Vigue Picard at lvpicard@mainehistory.org.
For more information about NHD, visit the Maine NHD website or contact Maine NHD State Coordinator John Taylor at john.m.taylor@maine.edu or 207-474-7133.