About South Carolina History Day

Who may participate?

The South Carolina History Day program is available at the school level to all students in South Carolina. Only 6th-12th-grade students compete at regional, state and national contests.   

How do I get started?

Contact the state coordinator at scstatehistoryday@coastal.edu.

Does the program align with state standards?

Yes. The History Day program aligns with many skills of S.C. Social Studies Academic Standards, as well as from S.C. Teacher Standards 4.0 Rubric. An additional benefit to teachers are the existing materials to help incorporate History Day into the classroom.

What are the benefits of History Day?

Through my involvement with National History Day, I have become a more creative problem-solver, a better researcher, and a more diligent history student.

History Day is project-based learning at its finest. The program teaches students skills in research, analysis, presentation and more. A national evaluation of National History Day found students who participate surpass their peers on state standardized tests and in skills development.

Learn more about the survey, which South Carolina students were a part of, at NHD Works.

Who sponsors South Carolina History Day?

Since March 2016, the Department of History at Coastal Carolina University is the home of South Carolina History Day. We are also sponsored in part by South Carolina Humanities, a state program of NEH.

Thank you to those institutions and organizations who support the program: Charleston Southern University, Community Museum Society of Lake City, Winthrop University, University South Caroliniana Society, National Maritime Historical Society, The National Society of The Colonial Dames in the State of South Carolina, South Carolina Council on the Holocaust, The Society of Mayflower Descendents in South Carolina, BlueCross BlueShield, Kroger, and individual contributors.

Interested in donating to S.C. History Day? Please contact the Brandon Palmer, bpalmer@coastal.edu.

What is my regional contest?

Coastal: Dillon, Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Marion, Marlboro and Williamsburg counties

Lowcountry: Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Clarendon, Colleton, Dorchester, Hampton and Jasper counties

Midlands: Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun, Darlington, Edgefield, Greenwood, Kershaw, Lee, Lexington, McCormick, Newberry, Orangeburg, Richland, Saluda and Sumter counties

Olde English: Cherokee, Chester, Chesterfield, Fairfield, Lancaster, Union and York counties

Upstate: Abbeville, Anderson, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, Oconee, Pickens and Spartanburg counties

What do I do if I have a question about judging?

Every effort is made to ensure that judging of South Carolina History Day projects is fair and accurate. Per the NHD Rule Book, all judging is final. Regional coordinators, state coordinator and officials at the national program DO NOT have the authority to overrule, set aside or undermine a judge’s decision.

If you have a concern about judging, please contact the corresponding coordinator responsible for the contest in question. There is no time limit to send comments. Once received, the matter will be looked into in a timely fashion.