Ohio History Connection Leads Regional Competition

ZANESVILLE, Ohio — The Ohio History Connection led the Region 10 “Ohio History Day” competition at Ohio University-Zanesville this morning.

Students between grades 6-12 from three area schools presented projects before judges in a  variety of different categories revolved around one central theme.

“It’s a contest for Junior High and High School kids working on projects like the ones we see around us here, dedicated to an annual theme. This years theme is “Taking a Stand” in history. Our kids do exhibits like the ones you see here, they do documentaries, and they do websites this year. So we have about 52 different entries,” said Morten Bach, Assistant Professor of History at Ohio University-Zanesville.

Anybody who falls in the appropriate grade range can be involved in the competition, though Bach explains it usually starts with a teacher assigning it as a class project. Students typically begin working on topics and ideas for the projects in the fall, and work for several months before the Regional competitions in the Spring.

Different regional and state competitions have different prizes and awards for the winner, but the grand prize at the National Competition, held between June 11th and June 15th, is a scholarship to The University of Maryland.

Bach says that it is important to study history as it gives us a sense of perspective and teaches about interpretation, and also gives kids an opportunity to have an analytical focus on things.

The Ohio History Connection believes that participation in this event is mutually important for both the schools and the students.

“The more schools that get involved with History Day the better, because it really does help the schools to be able to know what they’re teaching and how kids are able to translate it. And also give students an opportunity to re-create what they learn and I think that is crucially important. I encourage a lot of people to take up on it and to be able to be a part of Ohio History Day,” added Ibrahima Sow, Community Engagement Coordinator at the Ohio History Connection.

The Ohio History Day state contest will take place on April 29th at Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio.