Contest Rules for Web Sites
The web site category is the most interactive of all NHD categories. Therefore, a web
site should reflect your ability to use web site design software and computer
technology to communicate the topic’s significance in history. The historical quality,
analysis, and interpretation of the topic must be clear and evident to the viewer
through the content and navigational structure of the site. In designing the entry,
you should include elements that actively engage the audience in learning about the
topic. These elements do not have to be technologically complex, but they should
let the audience participate in exploring the topic, rather than passively viewing
information. The presentation should include primary materials, but must also be
an original production. To produce a web site, you must have access to appropriate
software and equipment and be able to operate it.
New This Year:
All web sites must be submitted for judging using the NHD Portal http://nhd.weebly.com/
Rules for ALL applies to Web Sites
Rule 1: Size Requirements
Web site entries may contain no more than
1,200 visible, student-composed words. Code
used to build the site, and alternate text tags
on images do not count toward the word
limit. The word limit does not include words
found in materials used for illustration such
as documents, artifacts or graphs not created
by the student, or quotations from primary
sources such as oral history interviews, letters,
or diaries, photos of artifacts with writing, or
other illustrative materials such as reoccurring
menus, titles and navigation instructions that
are used as an integral part of the web site.
Brief text crediting the sources of illustrations
or quotations included on the web site do not
count toward the 1,200-word limit. The entire
site, including all multimedia, may use up to
100MB of file space.
Rule 2: Navigation
One page of the web site must serve as the“home page” with the file name “index.”
The home page must include the names of
participants, entry title, division, and a main
menu that directs viewers to the various
sections of the site. All pages must be
interconnected with hypertext links. Automatic
redirects are not permitted.
Rule 3: Multimedia
Each multimedia clip may not last more than
45 seconds and may not include student composed
narration. There is no limit to the
number of multimedia clips other than the file
size limit. Voiceover of material not composed
by students is allowed. If an entry uses any
form of multimedia requiring a plug-in (for
example, Flash, QuickTime or Real Player),
you must provide on the same page a link to
an Internet site where the plug-in is available
as a free, secure, and legal download. Judges
will make every effort to view all multimedia
content, but files that cannot be viewed
cannot be evaluated as part of the entry.
Rule 4: Entry Production
All entries must be original productions. You
may use professional photographs, graphics,
video, recorded music, etc. within the site. Such
items must be integrated into the web site,
and proper credit must be given within the
site as well as in the annotated bibliography.
The student must operate all software and
equipment in the development of the web site.
NOTE: Using objects created by others specifically
for use in your entry violates this rule. However, using
graphics, multimedia clips, etc. which already exist
is acceptable.
Rule 5: Bibliographic Sources
The annotated bibliography must be included
as an integrated part of the web site. It should
be included in the navigational structure and
does NOT count toward the 1,200-word limit.
Refer to Part II Rules 15-17, for citation and
style information.
Rule 6: Stable Content
The content and appearance of a page cannot
change when the page is refreshed in the
browser. Random text or image generators are
not allowed.
Rule 7: Viewing Files
The pages that comprise the site must be
viewable in a recent version of a standard web
browser (i.e. Microsoft Internet Explorer, Firefox,
or Safari). Students are responsible for ensuring
that the entry is viewable in multiple web
browsers. Entries may not link to live or external
sites, except to direct viewers to plug-ins.
Rule 8: File Safety
Entries that contain potentially harmful file
contamination (e.g. a virus) are subject to
disqualification.
Rule 9: Submitting Entry for Judging
To submit a web site for the state competition, students must have their web site up on the appropriate NHD-Weebly Portal http://nhd.weebly.com/
We will not be able to accept submissions that are on CD or require alternate software applications for viewing. The deadline dates for submitting your web site is April 16.
Web Site Checklist
- • Contains no more than 1,200 visible,
student-composed words
• Home page includes names of participants, entry title, division, and a main menu
• All pages are interconnected with hypertext links• Web site uses no more than 100MB of file space
• The content is stable and does not change when the refresh button is hit
• Web site is virus-free
• Annotated bibliography, separated into primary and secondary resources
• Web site addresses the theme
• 4 copies (plus one for you) of written material: title page with required information; 500-word description of the research methods used and required written material
• Entry registered by deadline
• Prepared to answer judges’ questions at the contest (remember that formal narratives are not appropriate responses to questions)
This information is provided by CHD and the Student Contest Guide from NHD.
