Philadelphia students compete in National History Day

A Philadelphia high school student presents their project on "Hidden Figures: Revolutionary Black Women in STEM" to a team of judges at National History Day Philadelphia on March 13.

Nearly 200 students from Philadelphia public, private, parochial, and charter schools presented their National History Day projects this past week. Researching a topic around the theme Revolution, Reaction, and Reform, students in grades 6-12 presented their work in a format of their choice - a documentary, an exhibit, a paper, a performance, or a website. Teams of volunteer judges selected winning projects based on their historical analyses.

The Awards Ceremony was hosted by Will Mega from the Mayor's Office of Education and Dr. Tyra Ákánké Washington from the School District of Philadelphia's Office of Curriculum and Instruction.

First, second, and third place winners will advance to state competition at the University of Scranton at the end of April. National History Day Philly provides funding for transportation, meals, hotels, and registration for those 70 students who will advance.

Check out the list of winning project titles here.

Hundreds of other students and adults viewed some of the projects on Thursday, March 13 at the National Constitution Center. Topics ranged from the Tudor Revolution of England to Audiovisual Revolution of MTV.

Watch CBS Philadelphia and 6ABC's coverage.

HSP's Katie Clark appeared on PHL17 to talk to with Monica Cryan about the program. Discussing how students select a topic of their own choice even beyond American history, she said she learns something new from the students' projects every year. Watch here.

The Historical Society of Pennsylvania is homebase organization for National History Day Philly and sits on a Steering Committee of comprised of seven local cultural organizations. The National Constitution Center hosts the competition, elevating the students' work with its signature space. Drexel University's Legacy Center Archives and Stenton Museum and the National Society of Colonial Dames of America in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania co-chair the Steering Committee. Also serving on the Steering Committee are representatives from Founder's Hall at Girard College, Penn's Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, the American Philosophical Society, and the Museum of the American Revolution. Historic Arch Street Meeting House host the deliberation space for the seven dozen judges needed to execute the program. These plus many more organizations provide support throughout the year as students discover topics, identify primary sources, investigate historical context, and construct their projects.

HSP wishes to thank the lead funders of National History Day Philly. Any and all support helps to keep this program going, and gifts of any size are welcome on NHD Philly's Go Fund Me page.