UAF to host National History Day events

Submitted by Marmian Grimes
Phone: (907) 474-7902
02/14/06

The University of Alaska Fairbanks Office of Public History will host National History Day events Feb. 15 -17 in the Wood Center Carol Brown Ballroom.

National History Day is a nationwide annual event focused on the study and knowledge of people and events that have shaped the modern world. This year an estimated 500,000 students will participate in local and state fairs across the country. Top entrants in the local and state fairs are eligible to compete in the national contest held in June 2006 at the University of Maryland in College Park.

UAF has hosted National History Day in Fairbanks for the past seven years. Over that time approximately 2,000 local students in grades 6 through 12 have participated.

"National History Day is a wonderful example of the partnership between UAF and the local school district," said Terrence Cole, History Day coordinator and director of the UAF Office of Public History. "An event such as this is just one of the ways in which UAF enriches the lives of local residents, providing educational opportunities for middle and high school students."

This year several hundred students from the Fairbanks area will be involved. Participants write traditional research papers, create exhibits, stage original historical performances or produce video documentaries, all centered on a yearly theme. This year’s theme is "Taking a Stand."

Exhibits will be open to the public for viewing on Feb. 16 -17. The awards ceremony will take place Friday, Feb. 17 at 10 a.m., with students present for interviews and to explain their projects. Prizes for the winners are provided by the UAF Bookstore and Wells Fargo Bank.

CONTACT: Terrence Cole, UAF Office of Public History, at (907) 474-6995 or via e-mail at fftmc@uaf.edu . UAF Public Information Officer Marmian Grimes at (907) 474-7902 or via e-mail at marmian.grimes@uaf.edu .