National History Day at UW-Green Bay

Each year, the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay opens its doors to dozens upon dozens of young researchers as they prepare for the National History Day Contest. Students conduct research in the David A. Cofrin Library on campus, using resources in the University Archives and Special Collections areas. Many also meet and interview with professors, who can provide expert advice on a wide range of topics. UWGB, as a resource, is fantastic, said John VanRossum, a social studies teacher at Freedom Middle School. The librarians go beyond belief when it comes to helping the kids. School districts in 14 Northeastern Wisconsin counties (Florence, Marinette, Menominee, Oconto, Shawano, Door, Kewaunee, Brown, Outagamie, Winnebago, Calumet, Manitowoc, Sheboygan and Fond du Lac) participate in the regional National History Day Contest held on the UW-Green Bay campus each April. By then, students will have researched and explained the histories of everything from George Washington Carvers invention of peanut butter, to Harry Houdinis final act, to Sen. Joseph McCarthys accusations of communism. The 2008 regional contest had 330 entries. This year is expected to be bigger than ever. The theme is Individual in History: Action and Legacy. The first Northeastern Wisconsin competition was organized at UW-Green Bay in 2003, and the regional contest quickly grew to become the largest in the state. Winners at the regional contest advance to a state competition in May. Finalists from the state competition can move on to the National History Day Contest in Washington D.C. in June. For more see: http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/teachers/historyday/dates_contacts.asp