Web Site Projects

The Web Site category is the newest and most interactive of all NHD categories. A web site should reflect the students' ability to use web site design software and computer technology to communicate the topic's significance to history. All of the general requirements for a History Day entry apply to the Web Site category, so that 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, students 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 source materials, but must also be an original production. To produce a web site, students must have access to appropriate software and equipment and be able to operate it.

The specific rules for web sites from the NHD Contest Rule Book are presented below. In addition, students who prepare a Web Site entry must prepare a process paper.

All the Details

For more information, visit Creating Web Site Entries on the National History Day site.

From the NHD Contest Rule Book:

Navigation

One page of the web site must serve as the "home page." This page must be saved in the root directory of the CD-R (not in any folder) with the 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.

Multimedia

A single multimedia clip may not last more than 45 seconds and may not include student-composed narration. 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.

Entry Productions

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.

Citations

Citations -- footnotes, endnoted or internal documentation -- are required. Citations are used to credit the sources of specific ideas as well as of direct quotations.

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.

Viewing files

The pages that comprise the site must be viewable in a recent version of Microsoft Internet Explorer. Entries may not link to live or external sites, except to direct viewers to plug-ins.

File Safety

Entries that contain potentially harmful file contamination (e.g. a virus) are subject to disqualification.

Submitting Entry for Judging

You must submit projects on CD-R for advance viewing by judges. CD-Rs must be labeled with the names of particpants, division, and entry title ONLY; decorations or illustrations are not appropriate. All CD-Rs must by accompanied by four hard copies of your process paper, annotated bibliography, and print-outs of the site.