National History Day at UAF

Submitted by marmian Grimes
Phone: 907-474-7902
02/21/07

The University of Alaska Fairbanks Office of Public History will host National History Day events Feb. 21-23 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 600,000 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 in June 2007 at the University of Maryland in College Park.

More than 2,000 local students in grades 6 through 12 have participated in National History Day at UAF during the past eight years.

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 "Triumph and Tragedy in History."

Students and teachers will set up their exhibits on Wednesday, Feb. 21 from noon - 6 p.m. Exhibits will be open to the public for viewing on Feb. 22-23. The awards ceremony will take place Friday, Feb. 23 at 10 a.m., with students present for interviews and to explain their projects. Prizes for the winners are provided by Barnes & Noble 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.