Outreach and Professional Development

Are you a relatively new History Day teacher or a veteran in need of a refresher course? The Maryland History Day team is here to help you!

Lia Atanat is just an email away! She is happy to come visit your class to introduce Maryland History Day, or to help your students sharpen their existing skills. Request classroom outreach by contacting Lia through the form  below.

Sign up for Maryland History Day Outreach

Resource teachers and administrators can also schedule professional development sessions to prepare their teachers for History Day through the link below.

Sign up for Professional Development

Current PD Opportunities

Action Research for Primary Source Inquiry Kits

Maryland social studies teachers are welcome to participate in an action research study to help Maryland Humanities evaluate our online resources, the TPS Inquiry Kits. You will receive training in action research and carry out action research with your own classes from late January to early March 2021.

For more information and the registration link, see our flyer here.

Accessing Inquiry for Students with Disabilities through Primary Sources

Emerging America is collaborating with Maryland Humanities to run a special section of their Accessing Inquiry course for Maryland teachers. Gain strategies to support students with disabilites while exploring the history of people with disabilities through primary sources.

This course will run from February 19 to April 2, 2021. Learn more about the course in this flyer, see a sample syllabus, and register for the course on the Emerging America website.

Accessing Inquiry for English Learners through Primary Sources

Emerging America is collaborating with Maryland Humanities to run a special section of their Accessing Inquiry course for Maryland teachers. Gain strategies to support English learners while exploring the history of immigration in the U.S. through primary sources.

This course wil run from April 9 to May 21, 2021. Learn more about the course in this flyer, see a sample syllabus, and register for the course on the Emerging America website.

Past Opportunities

Maryland Humanities Summer Teacher Institutes

Maryland Humanities was pleased to offer two online teacher institutes this summer, made possible by a grant from the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Program. Primary Sources and Project-Based Learning was co-hosted by the Nabb Research Center at Salisbury University from July 6-10, 2020, and by the National Archives from July 20-24, 2020.

Courses

Topic Description Length
Introduction to Maryland History Day Teachers will learn how to implement History Day in the classroom. They will review and discuss basic information on how to use the program. Teachers will also practice analyzing primary sources from the Library of Congress. 45-90 minutes
Analyzing Documents through Project Based Learning: Maryland History Day in the Classroom This 3 CPD credit online Thinkport course is an in-depth look at how to use the Maryland History Day program to increase student analysis skills. Teachers will produce a History Day project themselves, while creating a master plan for using Maryland History Day in their own classrooms. 6 weeks
Local Connection: Analyzing Documents in Maryland History Available as a short session, using Library of Congress resources, or as day-long PD session with multiple local experts. 45 mins-4 hours
Analyzing Historical Documents with English Language Learners and Emerging Readers: Using Maryland History Day in the Classroom Learn tips on using Maryland History Day to engage English Language Learners and Emerging Readers in document analysis. Teacher resources will be provided. 45-90 minutes
Primary Documents and Project Based Learning: Special Topics Teachers will analyze Library of Congress primary sources related to one particular subject. They will discuss how to use such sources in their classroom, and how students can create projects based on primary sources. 45-90 minutes
Maryland History Day: Advanced

Explore Maryland History Day in depth with Outreach staff.

Discuss tips for developing topics, research, writing theses, and creating projects.

 45-90 minutes. Also available as an all day workshop.

  • “[My son] became a real expert in his topic and, he says, developed a life-long love of history, especially the history of music. I cannot thank you enough for this rare and incredible opportunity.”

    Andrea LeWinter, parent of Maryland History Day participant

  • “The researching and communicating skills have made me a more confident person in all academic endeavors. These are skills that will last me a lifetime.”

    ​Maryland History Day student participant

  • “My students went deeper with primary and secondary sources than ever before. They used critical thinking skills and applied the transfer goals and essential questions on a deeper level than they could have in class. It challenged them to think deeper and defend their findings.”

    Maryland History Day 2019 Teacher

  • I’ve loved judging! It’s exciting to see the passion the middle schoolers have put in their projects. I hope that my critiques have helped strive for excellence throughout their lives.

    Dee Krasnansky, Maryland History Day Judge

  • “The excitement of the research was wonderful for my students’ academic progress. They now feel capable of doing any research paper that may be assigned in college!”

    Maryland History Day 2019 Teacher

  • “By using a variety of sources, I was able to get angles on my topic that I wasn’t able to before. Also, I learned so much about a topic near and dear to my heart that will enrich my learning later in life.”

    Maryland History Day 2015 Student

  • “It provided an opportunity for my child to learn through experiential opportunities. He had interviews and tours that were relevant to his topic that helped the history come alive and create unforgettable memories.”

    Maryland History Day 2015 Parent

  • “I had never done anything like this before so it was a totally new experience to write a paper, be interviewed, and defend my positions. I now really know how to do research and it has improved my writing skills.”

    ​Maryland History Day 2015 Student

  • “The thing that had the most impact were the skills that I got from this project. I developed better hunting skills in terms of looking for reliable sources and I also learned to work hard and not procrastinate to achieve something great.”

    Maryland History Day student participant

  • “I had never done anything like this before so it was a totally new experience to write a paper, be interviewed, and defend my positions. I now really know how to do research and it has improved my writing skills.”

    ​Maryland History Day student

  • “We were very impressed with the depth of research all the students did for their History Day projects. It was fun to see them interacting with each other during the competition and events.”

    Lori and Josh Skillman, History Day Parents

  • “[The students] learned a variety of ways to present their material and they could focus on what they wanted to learn about. The students had a choice in their learning. It was about their learning NOT what someone else felt they need to learn.”

    ​Maryland History Day teacher

  • “I think the continual process of improving her research and presentation through the various levels of competition has been incredibly valuable. It has caused her to dig deeper in her research and build upon and refine her work and presentation.”

    ​Maryland History Day parent

  • “MHD illustrated the applicability of the study of history to contemporary issues and current events. It was very motivating to converse with the students about their historical topic and observe how they applied it to current events and their own life circumstances.”

    ​Maryland History Day parent

  • “The students are now far more prepared for the high level of scholarship and achievement that will be expected of them in future years. MHD also elevated many other skills too. These include public speaking, the use of technology, learning to collaborate.”

    ​Maryland History Day teacher
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Maryland Humanities is a statewide, educational nonprofit organization that creates and supports educational experiences in the humanities that inspire all Marylanders to embrace lifelong learning, exchange ideas openly, and enrich their communities.
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