What options are available for students interested in pursuing an intensive research project in PRISM?
PRISM students may choose to do a year-long research project, either through The Inquiry Project or through National History Day (NHD). For NHD projects, students' choice of topic must relate to that year's theme; for The Inquiry Project, students choose to research any topic of their choice. All National History Day students compete on a regional level in March. Students who quality then compete on a state level in May, and those who are selected to represent the state of New Jersey compete at the national level in June. Inquiry Project students present their work in an exposition of West Windsor-Plainsboro middle schoolers' projects in May. More details are provided below.
What is The Inquiry Project?
Students who choose to pursue an Inquiry Project research ANY topic OF THEIR CHOICE. Research is only the first step. Analysis, synthesis and evaluation are the critical thinking skills that must be applied for solid research work.
The final step is to learn how to present the research effectively at a Spring exposition. This is NOT a competition – students’ presentations are scored according to a rubric at the exposition. This is true authentic assessment.
INQUIRY PROJECT work is all about research, intellectual problem solving, and learning to communicate ideas effectively.
What is National History Day?
National History Day IS a competition that provides opportunities for gifted students to pursue research in ANY topic, as long as that topic has some "history" to consider (usually something that happened at least forty years ago, so the impact can be analyzed over at least a generation.) Every year's NHD contest has a theme (see information below about this year's theme), and students must follow the rules set forth in the NHD Rule Book (click on the link below for the newest version of the Rule Book).
Students can compete in groups or as individuals in the areas of exhibit, performance, documentary, or website. Individuals may also write a paper.
Students compete at the Southern Regional Competition held in March, and those who qualify are invited to compete at the State New Jersey History Day competition held the first Saturday of May. Students who place 1st or 2nd in their category are invited to compete at the National History Day Competition held the third week of June at the University of Maryland.
Grover's First Period Paws morning news show created this video about NHD in April 2013.
PRISM students may choose to do a year-long research project, either through The Inquiry Project or through National History Day (NHD). For NHD projects, students' choice of topic must relate to that year's theme; for The Inquiry Project, students choose to research any topic of their choice. All National History Day students compete on a regional level in March. Students who quality then compete on a state level in May, and those who are selected to represent the state of New Jersey compete at the national level in June. Inquiry Project students present their work in an exposition of West Windsor-Plainsboro middle schoolers' projects in May. More details are provided below.
What is The Inquiry Project?
Students who choose to pursue an Inquiry Project research ANY topic OF THEIR CHOICE. Research is only the first step. Analysis, synthesis and evaluation are the critical thinking skills that must be applied for solid research work.
The final step is to learn how to present the research effectively at a Spring exposition. This is NOT a competition – students’ presentations are scored according to a rubric at the exposition. This is true authentic assessment.
INQUIRY PROJECT work is all about research, intellectual problem solving, and learning to communicate ideas effectively.
What is National History Day?
National History Day IS a competition that provides opportunities for gifted students to pursue research in ANY topic, as long as that topic has some "history" to consider (usually something that happened at least forty years ago, so the impact can be analyzed over at least a generation.) Every year's NHD contest has a theme (see information below about this year's theme), and students must follow the rules set forth in the NHD Rule Book (click on the link below for the newest version of the Rule Book).
Students can compete in groups or as individuals in the areas of exhibit, performance, documentary, or website. Individuals may also write a paper.
Students compete at the Southern Regional Competition held in March, and those who qualify are invited to compete at the State New Jersey History Day competition held the first Saturday of May. Students who place 1st or 2nd in their category are invited to compete at the National History Day Competition held the third week of June at the University of Maryland.
Grover's First Period Paws morning news show created this video about NHD in April 2013.