Students to Gather at Kelley Park
For History Day Competition

SAN JOSE, CA - About 70 students from seven Santa Clara County schools will compete in March in History Day Competition, an educational program devoted to improving the teaching and learning of history in Santa Clara County.

The competition, which will take place in San Jose's Kelley Park on Sunday, March 29, is designed as a way for students to study historical issues, ideas, people and events by engaging in historical research. It is co-sponsored by the Santa Clara County Office of Education.

The middle- and high-school students compete in one of five categories: traditional historical papers, dramatic presentations, artistic exhibits, multimedia documentaries or historical websites. Also, fourth- and fifth-graders can participate in a poster-making competition. Teachers and community members judge the competition.

The students researched topics related to this year's theme: "The Individual in History: Actions and Legacies." The broad theme allows students to select and research an endless number of topics, from local to world history.

Students work individually or in groups and research different ideas, places, people and events in the world or the United States. They do this by visiting museums, conducting interviews, reading historical journals and exploring historical archives.

Beyond simply memorizing names and dates and reporting on historical events, History Day students develop invaluable research and analytical skills. They process information gathered through intensive research and draw their own conclusions about the topic's significance in history.

Winners at the county level proceed to the state and national contests.

The public is welcome to attend the competition, which takes place at Kelley Park's History Park, 1650 Senter Road, San Jose, on March 29 from noon to 4 p.m. .

Date last updated: February 25, 2009