Press Release
May 1, 2023
Contact: Sarah Dumas
Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma Historical Society
Office: 405-522-0785
sarah.dumas@history.ok.gov
www.okhistory.org/historyday
Two-Day State History Day Competition to Take Place at Oklahoma History Center
OKLAHOMA CITY — Hundreds of students will take part in the Oklahoma National History Day (OkNHD) competition at the Oklahoma History Center (OHC). Students in 6th through 8th grades will compete on Wednesday, May 3. Students in 9th through 12th grades will compete on Thursday, May 4. Both competition days start at 9 a.m.
Students qualify for the state competition after winning at one of seven regional competitions across Oklahoma. The top two students in each category at the state competition will be named Oklahoma Historical Society scholars and receive a free membership. Winners at the state level move to the national competition, which occurs at the University of Maryland at College Park from June 11-15. More than 750,000 students across the country participate every year.
This highly regarded academic program is student-driven and fosters critical thinking. The cross-curricular program meets Oklahoma standards for social studies and other subjects. Each year thousands of Oklahoma students in grades 6-12 take part.
OkNHD is project-based learning that focuses on historical topics related to a theme. Students conduct extensive primary and secondary research through libraries, archives, museums and historic sites. After analyzing and interpreting their sources, students draw conclusions about their topic’s significance in history before presenting their work in original papers, exhibits, performances, websites and documentaries. Student projects are entered into competitions in the spring at regional, state and national contests, where professional historians and educators evaluate them.
“Oklahoma National History Day teaches students how to be curious about their world and the past through the lens of history,” said Sarah Dumas, director of learning and engagement and OkNHD state coordinator for the OHC. “OkNHD helps students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. They also get practice with research, reading and more. Many students also build their self-esteem and confidence.”
The Oklahoma History Center is a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society and is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, National Archives and is an accredited member of the American Alliance of Museums. The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit www.okhistory.org.
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