Westport Students to Celebrate National History Day

From Westport Public Schools: Staples High School’s 10th grade United States History Honors students are busy again this year as they work on their 2017 National History Day projects. This annual competition includes regional (Fairfield County), state, and national contests that enable students to showcase in-depth research on local, regional, or national issues. At Staples, National History Day has grown in size and popularity over the past few years, offering students a chance to compete academically through their historical research.

The 2017 contest theme, Taking a Stand in History, has allowed students to begin exploring local issues like the Cockenoe Island protests and the Southbury, CT community’s protests against Nazi sympathizers during World War II. Others are investigating the unique role John Muir played in American environmental conservation and Betty Friedan’s contribution to American feminism.

This year, however, Staples students will also be showcasing drafts of their projects to their community at the Westport Library. On Saturday, January 28, the library will host the first annual Westport Celebrates History Day: Taking a Stand showcase from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. This event will allow Staples students to present first drafts of their work, receive feedback from local judges, and leverage that feedback to prepare for the first round of competition at Sacred Heart University in March.

Daniel Heaphy, a U.S. History Honors teacher and member of Staples’ Collaborative Team, said, “This is a great opportunity for students to have a project dress rehearsal. We really value an academic process that allows students to learn, draft, revise, and continue learning. We hope that this makes the projects better for Fairfield County’s competition, but more importantly, supports our students’ growth as learners.”

According to Lauren Francese, Coordinator of Westport’s 6 -12 Social Studies Department, “There has been incredible energy from our students, and they have selected some fascinating topics for their research. We are very thankful for the support from the Westport Public Library and Westport Historical Society to make this event possible.”

Student-created exhibits will be on display in the Great Hall, websites can be viewed in the MakerSpace, documentaries will be screened in the Seminar Room, and live performances will take place in the McManus Room throughout the morning.

The public is invited to attend and celebrate our students’ work.

Image via Pixabay