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Media contacts: Kim Schuette: 614.297.2314 or kschuette@ohiohistory.org
For Immediate Release
Cargill Gives Gift to Ohio Historical Society's History Day in Ohio
Donation Will Expand Program to More Teachers, Students in Cleveland
(COLUMBUS, OH) - The Ohio Historical Society announced a $27,500 gift, part from Cargill DeIcing in Cleveland and part from Cargill Corporate of Minnesota, to benefit National History Day in Ohio programming. The funding will be used to support Cleveland Metropolitan School District teachers and students involvement in History Day.
"The program started out as a local contest in Cleveland in 1974 and has grown nationally to more than 600,000 participants nationwide," said Bill Laidlaw, OHS executive director and CEO. "So it's fitting that this generous gift will enable the Ohio Historical Society to expand the number of students and schools participating in the program from the city where it all began."
The gift will allow the Ohio Historical Society to bring the National History Day program and resources to urban students and teachers as well as build participation as a partnership between the society, school district and local organizations.
Funding will cover teacher workshops, staff outreach visits, student research field trips, registration for contests and hiring undergraduate students to mentor students. In addition, $5,000 will help the Western Reserve Historical Society run the Cleveland regional program.
"Cargill Deicing Technology is based in Ohio and we have 236 people working in the state," said CDT President Dale Fehrenbach. "Having students explore the rich heritage of the state is an excellent exercise for them to understand where they live and where they may one day work."
National History Day is a year-long educational program where students in grades 6-12 employ history research methods to investigate topics that interest them related to a specific theme. They present their work through exhibits, performances, documentaries, research papers or Web sites. Students may enter their projects in regional and state competitions and the top two in each category move on to compete in the national competition.
According to a study sponsored by the Society last year, students who participate in National History Day receive higher test scores, appreciate history more and develop a better ability to think critically than students who did not participate in the program. Just as important, it indicates that they demonstrated a better ability to integrate new perspectives into their thinking.
"Participating in History Day benefits students by preparing them for high school graduation, college and beyond," said Laidlaw. "Not only do they have significantly higher test scores, but the students valued learning history and gained better skills for use in today's marketplace. Cargill's gift will go a long way to prepare Cleveland students for a successful future."
Established in 1885, the Ohio Historical Society is a nonprofit organization that serves as the state’s partner in preserving and interpreting Ohio's history, archaeology, natural history and historic architecture. For more information about programs and events, call 614.297.2300/800.686.6124 or go online at www.ohiohistory.org.
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