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

Maryland Humanities Summer Teacher Institutes

Primary Sources and Project-Based Learning

Through a grant from the Library of Congress, Maryland Humanities is excited to offer two free online Teaching with Primary Sources summer institutes.

This summer, to accommodate distance learning while balancing busy schedules and a year of Zoom fatigue, we will be pacing the Summer Institute out over the course of four weeks. Over the four weeks, we will offer a combination of weekly synchronous Zoom meetings and asynchronous independent activities.

Participants will receive three MSDE credits. Space is limited, and successful applicants will be notified. All K-12 teachers, resources teachers, and librarians are welcome to apply. This year, priority will be given to teachers of ELs. Please note that if you took Primary Sources and Project-Based Learning in the past, you may not receive the MSDE credit again.

Summer Institute with Salisbury University, July 6-27, with synchronous sessions Tuesday mornings

For our institute in partnership with Salisbury University, K–12 teachers are invited to join us for an interactive research experience with a focus on Maryland, Eastern Shore, and Delmarva history. Participants will choose a research topic and do in-depth research using online collections from the Library of Congress and the Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture. Learn about researching local history, get familiar with the National History Day 2022 theme, and complete a mini-research project to share with your students. Discover free teaching resources including Thinkport Inquiry Kits, developed in partnership with Maryland Humanities, Maryland Public Television, and the Maryland State Department of Education.

Preview an outline of the weekly schedule here.

Summer Institute with the National Archives at College Park, July 7-28, with synchronous sessions Wednesday mornings

Our institute in partnership with the National Archives at College Park, MD will welcome K–12 educators for a research experience focused on exploring the National Archives. Participants will choose a research topic and explore primary sources from the Library of Congress and the National Archives’ online collections. Work with digital resources, learn about the National History Day 2022 theme, and complete your own mini-research project to take back to your classroom. Explore free teaching resources including DocsTeach from the National Archives and Thinkport Inquiry Kits, developed in partnership with Maryland Humanities, Maryland Public Television, and the Maryland State Department of Education. 

Preview an outline of the weekly schedule here.

Sign up for our summer institutes here.

PD Opportunities through Partners

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.

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 July 9 to August 8, 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

Action Research for Primary Source Inquiry Kits

This past winter, Maryland social studies teachers participated in an action research study to help Maryland Humanities evaluate our online resources, the TPS Thinkport Inquiry Kits. Participants received training in action research, created and implemented lesson plans using the Inquiry Kits, and reflected on what methods made them successful with their students. The findings of this action research study will help inform a professional development module that we will create for the Thinkport site.

 

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.

  • “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

  • “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

  • “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

  • “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

  • “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

  • “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

  • “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

  • “[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

  • “My students became more competent researchers, and took ownership of their work. They had total free reign to choose their topic, direct their research, and create their final project.”

    ​Maryland History Day 2015 Teacher

  • “[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

  • “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 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

  • 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 part of History Day that had the most impact on me was seeing all the other entries and entry categories. It was really inspiring to see so many different people of history honored for their leadership and legacy as that was this years theme. You forget that the whole world has a history and there are so many different people and leaders who make up that history. The fact that this day brings together all of us students, our imaginations, our creativity, research skills, and history really reminds you how much of us would be lost if we didn’t remember those who made an impact.”

    ​Maryland History Day student participant

  • “History Day inspired me to become deeply invested in historical topics which I never thought I’d enjoy. It is an amazing experience that has the ability to make learning fun for everyone, no matter what you’re interested in.”

    Addie Skillman, National History Day Gold Winner
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About Us
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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