Back in Person for 2022-23 School Year and Free for All Students for the First Time
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Brooklyn, NY—The Center for Brooklyn History at Brooklyn Library (CBH) announced the start of the NYC History Day contest for the 2022-2023 school year. For the first time, the contest is free for all students, with competition entrance fees covered for all levels.
This year’s theme is Frontiers in History: People, Places, Ideas. Middle and high school students will learn how to conduct historical research and interpret their findings. Then—working individually or as part of a team—they will create an exhibit, documentary, performance, paper or website based on what they learn.
“The Center for Brooklyn History is thrilled to be the home of New York City History Day, a program that truly engages students in deep historical inquiry and teaches the invaluable skill of communicating their work through varied formats that encourage creative expression. I am particularly proud that we have eliminated financial barriers to entry through not just the local competition, but at the regional and national levels as well,” said Heather Malin, Director of the Center for Brooklyn History at Brooklyn Public Library.
Winners go on to compete in statewide and national contests. Last year the Hellenic Classical Charter School in Park Slope came in second place in the National History Day contest for their junior documentary titled Shirley Chisholm: Championing Domestic Workers through Debate and Diplomacy.
Across the country, over a half million students participate each year, learning critical thinking, problem-solving, and research skills. For students in New York, participating in the contest can also help them learn about democracy and good citizenship and earn points for the NYS Seal of Civic Readiness, a mark of distinction which will appear on their transcripts.
The contest opens on November 14. BPL’s Center for Brooklyn History is providing a series of free workshops, open to students and teachers, in preparation for the contest:
Creating a Visual History Project.
Thursday, November 3, 2022. 4:30-5.30 p.m. (Virtual)
Creating a Historical Performance with Irondale Ensemble.
Tuesday, November 15, 2022. 4:15-5:45 p.m. (In person)
In addition to hosting the NYC History Day Contest, CBH also offers a wide range of educational opportunities throughout the year including Brooklyn Connections, a free program offering classes rare access to original archival materials. Since its' inception in 2007, the program has served over 15,000 students.
Teens can apply for a paid internship, allowing them to undertake an archival research topic related to Brooklyn’s History. And classes can learn about Brooklyn Resists, a curriculum based on CBH’s exhibition of the same name, which explores the history of Black protest and resistance to classrooms throughout Brooklyn and beyond.
New York City History Day is partially supported by the May and Samuel Rudin Family Foundation. New York City History Day is sponsored in part by the Rose M. Badgeley Residuary Charitable Trust and the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Eastern Region Program, coordinated by Waynesburg University.
About Brooklyn Public Library
Brooklyn Public Library is one of the nation’s largest library systems and among New York City’s most democratic institutions. As a leader in developing modern 21st-century libraries, we provide resources to support personal advancement, foster civic literacy, and strengthen the fabric of community among the more than 2.7 million individuals who call Brooklyn home. We provide nearly 60,000 free programs a year with writers, thinkers, artists, and educators—from around the corner and around the world. We give patrons millions of opportunities to enjoy one of life’s greatest satisfactions: the joy of a good book.