Project-Based Learning in the Social Studies Classroom: An Introduction to NHD in Massachusetts

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Wednesday February 28

6:00 PM  –  8:00 PM

Dates and Locations:

  1. Virtual Sessions: Wednesdays, February 28, March 13, March 20, March 27, and April 3, 6:00- 8:00 PM
  2. In-Person Session: Participants will choose one session to attend:
    • Saturday, March 2, 2024, 7:45-3:00 PM Foxborough High School
    • Saturday, March 2, 2024, 7:45-3:00 PM Stoneham Central Middle School
    • Sunday, March 10, 2024, 7:45-3:00 PM Leicester Middle School

Project- based learning (PBL) builds student engagement, fosters effective communication and collaboration, and allows students to wrestle with complex questions.  The National History Day (NHD) model guides students in grades 6–12 through a semester of historical research and inquiry, interpretation, and creative expression. Harnessing the effectiveness of student-centered, project-based learning, NHD asks students to conduct primary and secondary source research on a historical topic and present their work as a documentary film, website, performance, paper, or exhibit.

During this course participants will explore the NHD program from the inside out and learn to use the tools of NHD to build and scaffold all of the skills-based content standards for History and Social Science Content in MA, including:

  • supporting independent student research
  • thesis development
  • primary and secondary source analysis
  • analyzing multiple historical perspectives
  • source citation

Participants will also learn firsthand, from students and teachers, how participation in History Day promotes student engagement, builds confidence, and encourages autonomy. Finally, participants will develop a manageable and realistic instruction plan to bring the power of History Day and PBL to their students.

This workshop is offered for Grade 6-12 educators in Massachusetts. Participants can earn 67.5 PDPs, or 3 graduate credits with Worcester State University (for an additional fee of $375). 

This is a virtual course, with one required in-person day at one of our NHD MA Regional Competitions. It will be presented in English with English auto-generated captioning for virtual sessions, and ASL translation and live captioning are available upon request during registration (please place requests for captioning or translation by 2/12/24). 

For more information, questions, or further accessibility requests, please contact us at psampson@masshist.org.