Youth Division
NHD in Iowa is unique in that it offers a non-competitive Youth Division for students in the 4th and 5th grades. The purpose of this program extension is to expand the excitement of history and research as well as the accompanying skills to younger students. We hope that these young people will have such a positive experience that they consider continuing NHD participation into the 6th grade and beyond.
In order to foster the full educational experience, students in the Youth Division follow the same basic programmatic concepts as those in 6-12 grades. Participants should think about the theme when selecting a topic, are encouraged to locate both primary and secondary sources during the course of their research, should create an annotated bibliography to reflect their research, and are welcome to communicate what they have learned in the same presentation mediums (paper, exhibit, performance, documentary, or website). However, analytical and research based expectations are reduced to fit the younger audience.
Since the Youth Division is non-competitive, participants are invited to a showcase that coincides with the Senior Division State History Day events on the first Monday in May at the State Historical Building in Des Moines. Youth Division entrants are interviewed about their work and receive feedback from event volunteers, much like their older counterparts, but volunteers will not actively select a top project. At the end of the student interviews, all participants are recognized at a special Youth Division ceremony.
Teachers interested in the Youth Division should contact NHD in Iowa's state coordinator, Millie Frese at 515.281.6860 or millie.frese@iowa.gov for more information. Those planning to register for the Youth Division Showcase will need to provide a registration fee of $10.00 per student and will be called on to provide event volunteers to help interview youth participants. Those not intending to participate in the Youth Division Showcase are still welcome to contact Millie Frese for theme materials and additional program related support.
