Each year thousands of 6th through 12th-grade students, encouraged by teachers and parents statewide, participate in the National History Day program in Texas.
In this program, students are able to create different projects and compete against one another. Students base their project on the same annual theme and rulebook. Students then choose a historical topic related to that theme and conduct research to create and present original research papers, exhibits, performances, websites, and documentaries.
National History Day in Texas is divided into regional contests across the state. For the second year, Texas A&M University-San Antonio will be hosting the San Antonio regional history fair on Feb. 19 and 20.
Dr. William Bush, department chair of humanities and social sciences, serves as the judging coordinator this year. He also served as part of the steering committee, which has put on the event, since 2009. He is credited with bringing the event to A&M-San Antonio.
“I thought it would be a great event for our campus,” Bush said. “I wanted the opportunity to bring hundreds of high school and middle school kids from all over the region to our campus.”
He believes the event helps emphasize the university’s mission.
“Our [university] mission is really a community-oriented mission so bringing the community into our campus for an educational event fits our mission.”
Winners from each regional competition will advance to the state contest held in Austin. Students who place first or second at the state contest will then advance to the Kenneth E. Behring National Contest held each June at the University of Maryland near Washington D.C.
“It’s a great event. It’s a lot of fun, but it’s also helpful to [the students] from an educational standpoint as well.” Bush said.
