More than 600 Middle And High School Students to Participate in New Jersey National History Day Program at William Paterson on Saturday, May 2

One of the largest New Jersey National History Day programs to date, part of a rigorous academic program in which middle and high school students compete for a spot in the national history contest, will be held at William Paterson University on Saturday, May 2, 2015.

William Paterson has been the sponsor of New Jersey National History Day since 1988, and this program will bring a record-breaking 600 students, their teachers and parents to campus. The event begins at 9 a.m. on campus, and concludes with an awards ceremony at 4 p.m. in Shea Center

This year’s theme is “Leadership and Legacy.” Students in grades six through twelve will be presenting research using various mediums including documentaries, performances, exhibits, websites, and papers.  Judges are professors, historians, and educators from William Paterson and around the state.

The National History Day program encourages the study of social studies by guiding students to express themselves creatively through presentations of historical topics in various formats, celebrates and builds on the strengths of students as creative, capable learners, and interests students in learning about history by integrating the materials and methods of social studies, art, sciences, literature, language, and music into their presentations.

State qualifiers from regional contests held at Rutgers, Princeton, and Kean Universities will be competing to be national qualifiers who will represent New Jersey at the national contest at the University of Maryland held in June.

The April 2015 issue of New Jersey Education Association Review featured the article, “It’s Not Just a Day—The New Jersey National History Day Program” detailing how students reap multiple benefits from participation, including learning research techniques and having the thrill of seeing history come to life.

?For additional information, contact Nancy Norris Bauer, professional development and school/community partnerships at William Paterson, at 973-720-3131.

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