2009-2010+National+History+Day

"Innovation in History: Impact and Change"

During the 2009-2010 school year, National History Day invites students to research topics related to the theme: Innovation in History: Impact and Change. Students need to keep the entire theme in mind: “in History,” as well as “Innovation” as they begin their research. While the most obvious topics come from science like Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, or new discoveries like Isaac Newton’s laws of gravity, or new inventions like the automobile, the theme is really much broader than that. Innovation suggests creative new approaches to any facet of life. Students might explore innovation in artistic or musical forms, for example, by looking at the rise of jazz. The important aspect of any National History Day research project is to situate the topic in the historical context. What was happening in the society that supported the rise of jazz at this particular point in time? Another way to extend the topic would be to follow the impact of jazz on society through time, e.g., on the African American community or subsequent music forms. Changes in political, social or religious institutions or arrangements might also be considered innovations, as new ways to respond to problems facing society. For example, the establishment of the United States of America, the “Cultural Revolution” in China, the development of settlement houses in America and Europe, or the Protestant Reformation could all be topics for NHD this year. As always, the theme is broad enough to include topics from any period of history and from any part of the world. Whatever topics they choose, however, students must remember to address the theme and place their projects in history.

This year, 114 West Catholic students participated in the National History Day competition at the National Constitution Center on March 4, 2010.

Michael Shanahan, Mariah Worthington: Machine Guns....."Enable One Man to Do the Job of 100" group exhibit

Jamier Tascoe-Davis, Tony Tran, Marcus Randall, Marcus Onfroy, and Malachi Shell: Horsepower Evolution group exhibit

Lutchia Pierre-Louis, Joyce Orji, Boimah Moyillah, Tipcose Gallashaw, and Minh Liu: A Picture is Worth a 1,000 Words -- Photography Past and Present group exhibit

Summer Horan, Elaine Ngo, Christopher Waters, Haven Ogbaselase, and Haeley Horan: Feel the Reel, Experience the Popcorn -- the Cinematic Adventures of Movie-Making group exhibit

Brittany Henderson, Moran Weatherly, Jade Jackson, Brittney Parker-Townsend, Aliesa Weatherly: From Nappy Roots to Happy Roots -- Improvements in Hair Care group exhibit

Pedro Ortiz, Yoseph Wubayeh, Eric Pham, Philmon Tesfamariam, and Sang Nguyen: Machine Guns -- the History of Carnage group exhibit

Michelle Timothy-Davis, Lexis Brewington, Bianca Samuel, and Jack Ni: The Age of Healing -- Anesthetics