National History Day Competition Allows San Diego County Students to Showcase Stories of Innovation
San Diego County National History Day offers local students in grades 4 through 12 the opportunity to use the research, writing, and creative skills they learn in the classroom to showcase a historical event, figure, discovery, or movement of their choice.
The San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) offers the competition as a hands-on approach to enhance students’ knowledge of the past and empower them to draw connections to the present and future. Students at any public, private, charter, or homeschool may participate if a teacher registers them for the contest.
Students work with a sponsor teacher to research and prepare a podcast, website, paper, performance, documentary, or poster using the theme, Innovation in History: Impact, Influence, Change. The theme encourages students to investigate a wide array of historical innovations and highlight stories of innovation from all cultures, ethnicities, religions, and geographic areas. To develop a strong project, research should focus on three main pillars:
Impact: What was the immediate result of this innovation? Who benefited, and who was negatively affected?
Influence: How did this new idea spread or inspire future generations and other fields of study?
Change: How did the innovation permanently alter the course of history or everyday life?
Submissions received by the contest deadlines will be evaluated March 6, 2027, at the University of San Diego. Local winners advance to the state finals in May, and the competition cycle concludes in June with the national finals in College Park, Maryland.
The last day teachers may register their school is Dec. 7, 2026.
Teachers preparing to or interested in sponsoring a team should attend the virtual kickoff meeting Wednesday, Sept. 28.
Register for the kickoff meeting to receive a Zoom link the day before.
Learn more about San Diego County National History Day or volunteer as a judge for the March 6 event.