Thirty students from across the North Country will compete in the regional New York State History Day contest held at Fort Ticonderoga on Saturday, March 5, 2016. Students placing first and second in their categories will advance to the New York State History Day Contest in Cooperstown on April 18.

Each year two million students across the country participate in the National History Day program according to Rich Strum, Fort Ticonderoga’s Director of Education and North Country History Day Regional Coordinator. Students research history topics of their choice related to an annual theme and create exhibits, documentaries, performances, research papers, and website designs.

Students may enter in competition at the regional, state, and national level. Participants include students in grades 6-8 in the Junior Division and grades 9-12 in the Senior Division. National History Day also provides educational services to students and teachers, including a summer internship program, curricular materials, internet resources, and annual teacher workshops and training institutes.

This year’s National History Day theme is “Exploration, Encounter, Exchange in History.” Student projects can focus on any aspect of American or World history, but must make a connection to the theme.

Members of the public are invited to view student projects at Fort Ticonderoga from 12 pm – 2 pm on Saturday, March 5. Student-created performances run from 12 pm – 1 pm and exhibits are open from 1 pm – 2 pm. The public can also attend the Awards Ceremony at 2 pm.

North Country History Day takes place in the Deborah Clarke Mars Education Center at Fort Ticonderoga and has been coordinated by Fort Ticonderoga since 2008. To learn more about North Country History Day and how students can participate, click here.

Photo: A judge reviews a student project at a recent North Country History Day at Fort Ticonderoga (provided).