An exhibit is a visual representation of your research and interpretation of your topic’s significance in history. The analysis and interpretation of your topic must be clear and evident to the viewer. Labels and captions should be used creatively with visual images and objects to enhance the message of your exhibit. (nhd.org)
Performance:
A performance is a dramatic portrayal of your topic’s significance in history and must be an original production. It should be scripted based on research of your chosen topic and should have dramatic appeal, but not at the expense of historical information. (nhd.org)
Paper:
A research paper is the traditional form of presenting historical research. This project category will need special approval from Mr. Redmond or Mrs. G.(nhd.org)
Documentary:
A documentary should reflect your ability to use audiovisual equipment to communicate your topic’s significance. The documentary category will help you develop skills in using photographs, film, video, audio, computers, and graphic presentations. Your presentation should include primary source materials and also must be an original production. To produce a documentary, you must have access to equipment and be able to operate it. (nhd.org)
Website:
The website category is the most interactive of all of the NHD categories. A website should reflect your ability to use website design software and computer technology to communicate your topic’s significance in history. Your historical website should be a collection of web pages, interconnected by hyperlinks, that presents both primary and secondary sources and your historical analysis. To engage and inform viewers, your website should incorporate interactive multimedia, text, non-textual descriptions (e.g., photographs, maps, music, etc.), and interpretations of sources. To construct a website, you must have access to the Internet and be able to operate appropriate software and equipment. (nhd.org)
Side Note: The official National History Day Contest allows students to work in groups of 2-5 students. For our purposes at Lake Country Academy, 8th grade students may work in groups of 2-3 students if they so choose. However, be very careful who you select to be your partner. All group members will receive the same score and be responsible for all of the information in the project, even if they did not write it. Therefore, your partner(s) must be someone you trust will work hard and pull their own weight. Your partner(s) must be someone that you are able to meet with on a regular basis outside of school to work on your project. In the past, many students have found that it is much easier to work alone on a project of this scale.
Be sure to select the category that best matches your abillities!