March 27, 2015
Media Advisory – Regional History Fair
Approximately 400 junior high and high school students will come to Southern Illinois University Carbondale on Saturday, March 28, for a competitive and educational celebration of Illinois history.
Reporters, photographers and news crews are welcome to attend the annual Southern Illinois Regional History Fair. Jonathan Wiesen, professor of history and event coordinator, said this year he has entries for more than 250 displays, websites, papers and performances. The exhibit and performances will be in the SIU Student Center.
Registration and event preparation begin at 8 a.m. Performances start at 10 a.m., with a public display of exhibits at 1 p.m. SIU President Randy Dunn will deliver the awards ceremony opening remarks at 2 p.m., and Pete Harbison, representing the Illinois Historic Preservation Society, will also speak.
Students choose their Illinois-related topics that apply to a national theme, “Leadership and Legacy in History.” Students can create visual exhibits or web pages, write a traditional research paper or stage a dramatic presentation. They receive awards of superior, excellent, or good, along with a written evaluation from the judges. Top entries will advance to the Illinois History Fair Expo, May 7, in Springfield, and possibly national-level competition.
The Illinois Historic Preservation Society is the driving force behind the statewide history fairs.