This section of the Utah History Fair Web site is designed to help students, teachers, and parents as they work together in the research process.  The site provides an outline of suggested lessons, and materials which can be used to teach and guide students as they create a successful history fair project. Guidelines have been organized to meet the criteria of National History Day Competition. The unit will take approximately 9 weeks to complete. The left frame will take you through the six steps of research, with suggestions and links to teaching materials

      The History Fair unit  will help students also learn the following:

• All Utah State Library/Information Literacy Core objectives
•  The Big Six Skills:  Information Literacy
• Many additional  Utah language arts and social studies objectives. 
• Bloom's Taxonomy -- reinforcing critical thinking skills.

      Materials include the following:

• Eighteen lessons have been outlined. Lessons contain some, if not all, of the following:  supplementary materials, slide shows, web links, quizzes, and web quest. Interactive CD instruction is also available to help teach each section.  Links are built into the outline to take you to the prepared materials. 
• Introductory handout for students 
• Web slides shows for teaching concepts related to research
• Web Links related to Utah topics
• SURWEB topic links
• Interactive Web Quest for students on using community resources
• Other supplementary materials

Suggested handout  to introduce History Fair to students
--Copy and paste --
National History Day Competition 

     THEME:
(refer to link to find current theme)

Attention Students:

  To understand the historical importance of their topics, students must ask questions of time and place, cause and effect, change over time, and impact.  You must ask not only  when events happened but also why they happened and what impact they had.  What factors contributed to their development? Regardless of the topic selected, students must not only present a description of it, but also draw conclusions about how their topic affected individuals, communities, nations, or the world. Whatever you research, must be put in an historical context.  Contrasts and comparisons are especially effective.  Criteria for competition at located at this link:   http://www.thehistorynet.com/NationalHistoryDay/index.html 

WAYS TO SHOW YOUR RESEARCH

1.  Historical paper:  1500-2500 words, illustrated (optional),
documented, neatly typed.  Individuals only. 

2.  Media presentation: video tape, slide show, computer driven program.  10 minutes maximum, showing your research. (1-5 students). 

3.  Drama presentation:  Mini-play, re-enactment, skits, music, reader theater, or other dramatic presentation.  May use up to 5 students. 10 minutes maximum time. 

4.  Exhibit:  A two, three or multi-sided display, showing in an attractive way the research done. May contain artifacts, original documents, photographs, arts, etc.  (1-5 students may 
work together)  Recordings, and media may also used to help explain display. More samples

 All participating states conduct Regional Fairs, with winners qualifying for state competition.  1st & 2nd place state winners (grades 7-12) qualify for national competition in Washington D.C. in June.  At State and Region fair -- grades 4-12 compete. 
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