Hullabaloos: History Day Research Days

MHS History Day logo History Day Hullabaloos are research open houses held at a variety of metro librariess as well as libraries in Duluth, Moorhead, Rochester, and St. Cloud.  Check the the 2016-2017 Hullabaloo schedule for a complete listing of locations, dates, and times

During the Hullabaloo students will:

  • Conduct primary and secondary research with the guidance of library staff
  • Get one-on-one help from History Day staff and mentor
  • Attend a mini-lesson on a range of topics.

Each year,  a broad theme is selected that will help students direct their research to show a connection between the theme and their topics. The 2017 theme, Taking a Stand in History, will allow students to research topics on all levels from local history to ancient history.

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History Day 2015 a success

MHS History Day logoNearly 5,500 students participated in a History Day filed trip, Hullabaloo or Help Session which took place at 20 libraries across the state during this year’s MN History Day activities. This is nearly 1,000 more students than the previous year.  Minnesota Historical Society (MHS) staff coordinated the events at each library, working with individual librarians to schedule research open houses and provide supplemental training materials.  Evaluations from students indicate 72% of students feel more confident doing research in a library as a result of the History Day library experience. And, 88% believe their library visit improved their ability to do research for this project and future academic studies.

2015 Report for the Minnesota History Day Library Partnership

Successful History Day Partnership

MHS History Day logoThrough a unique partnership, CRPLSA and the Minnesota Historical Society (MHS), enhanced the learning opportunities for 5,429 students participating in 2014 History Day library activities.  This year’s project saw dramatic increases in the number of schools and students served:

  • Total participation (5,429) increased by nearly 1,000 students over FY2014 — that’s a 22% increase in a single year
  • 60 field trips were supported — up 25%
  • Not only were there more field trips, these trips included more students. 3,768 students were supported by field trip funding this year — that’s a 56% increase over FY2014.

Click here for a statewide History Day summary report

History Day 2014 a success

MHS History Day logoThe Minnesota Historical Society (MHS) acclaims National History Day Minnesota 2014 a success.  CRPLSA has bragging rights in this achievement as a result of an ongoing  partnership with MHS that is entering its sixth year.  This partnership brings together the wealth of resources at MHS and library programming support that includes:

  • Providing library and research support for History Day participants
  • Strengthening a statewide network between regional library staff, History Day staff, and History Day teachers
  • Evaluating and documenting the success of History Day library field trips and research open houses.

Increased exposure to History Day library programming and research support resulted in improved student outcomes.  MHS History Day staff have prepared a detailed report describing 2014 activities and successes, as well as a brief summary.

2014 Report for the Minnesota History Day Library Partnership

2014 Report Summary (2 pages)

National History Day Minnesota is an inter-disciplinary research project for students in grades 6-12.  Sponsored in part by the Minnesota Historical Society and the University of Minnesota,  History Day aims to teach students how to conduct in-depth research, use primary and secondary sources, read a variety of texts, analyze and synthesize information, and write and present historical content.  All skills that will serve them well as they advance in their education.

2014 State History Day Success!

MHS History Day logoFrom SELCO Assistant Director Michael Scott and his thoughts on this year’s Minnesota History Day activities.

I had the privilege of being a judge at this year’s State History Day, held on May 3, 2014, at the University of Minnesota.  I was judge for websites, specifically junior (Grade 6-8) group websites.

Websites are relatively new to History Day and this year’s judging for websites included a new element where students were interviewed at the regional history day competitions and at the state competition. Feedback was offered via forms and the interview was focused on getting at some of the background as to why they chose a topic, where their interest in the topic came from, or why they chose to do a website.  I really enjoyed the interviews and hopefully put students at ease because so many were really nervous.

A few facts from the 2014 State History Day (thanks to the Minnesota Historical Society for this information):

  • 854 projects from 1301 students
  • 135 schools represented
  • 254 judges for the first and final rounds of competition for a combined 1270 hours!

This project is made possible through a partnership between CRPLSA and the Minnesota Historical Society to promote History Day in Minnesota libraries with money from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the people of Minnesota for Library Legacy activities.

CRPLSA – MHS History Day Video

MHS History Day logoHistory Day successes abound! 

The continued partnership between CRPLSA and the Minnesota Historical Society brings libraries into the mix of History Day resources, and received rave reviews from MHS staff, parents, teachers, and the successful students.

This MHS video highlights how libraries support advance history students with print and electronic resources and, in the words of the Coordinator of the statewide program, Tim Hoogland — dubbed Mr. History Day — demonstrates how the library partnership is the single best resource for students.

History Day Library Staff Transition

MHS History Day logoA staffing update from Tim Hoogland, Director of Education Outreach Programs, Minnesota Historical Society

For the rest of this year, Sammi Jo Coryell will manage our History Day Library partnership, which will include the upcoming Hullabaloos and following up with surveys, paperwork, and thoughts for next year.

Sammi Jo was a History Day student and has worked with the program for 5 years. She has been a History Day Mentor at UMD and worked as supplemental support staff for two years. More importantly, it was Sammi Jo who filled in to support library programming after we lost Laura last year. She will do an excellent job and provide seamless support for teachers, students and libraries.

All of this happened very quickly, so we are communicating with our teacher and library partners now that we have our staffing plan in place.

History Day Minnesota is having another outstanding year of library programming and we are looking forward to the “Gopherbaloo” at the U of M tomorrow. Thank you for helping to make all of this possible for the teachers and students of Minnesota.

Tim Hoogland
Director of Education Outreach Programs
Minnesota Historical Society

Affiliated Instructor of History
University of Minnesota