NEW BERLIN – The Catskill Region History Day, an affiliate of the National History Day program, encourages students in school, organizations, and home schooled to explore local, state, national and world history. This year’s theme is: “Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History.”

After selecting a historical topic that relates to the annual theme, students conduct research using libraries, archives, museums, and oral history interviews. Students analyze their topics’ significance in history, and create final projects that present their work. These projects are evaluated at the Catskill Region level on March 10 at the Unadilla Valley Central School.

The top projects proceed to the state level contest in Cooperstown, and from there to the national competition. The contest is open to students in grades 6-12 who display their projects in a paper, exhibit, documentary, performance, or website. Individuals or groups of up to five students may apply. Applications for the Catskill Region History Day contest are due on Feb. 28 by 4 p.m.

Currently, cash awards are available for two types of projects: Local area history using archival records and women’s history. Other types of awards will also be available including books from book publishers and bookstores.

To date, Catskill Region History Day is made possible by sponsorship from the Catskill Regional Teacher Center, a committee of dedicated community volunteers from the Village of Gilbertsville (a National Register Historic Site), the Unadilla Valley Central School District, and the Unadilla Valley Music Boosters. Businesses and other organizations are encouraged to be a sponsor for the day or for a special award.

For more information about History Day go to www.nationalhistoryday.org or www.nyshistoryday.org or contact Mary Ann Luciano at 436-3920. Applications are on the NYSHA website.