Why Become a Judge?
- Connect with students
- Support your community
- Help the youth of Ohio grow and learn
- Learn something new
- Cool S.W.A.G. (Stuff We All Get)
- Free continental breakfast and lunch (in-person contests only)
We need YOU to Judge at Ohio History Day!
Calling all educators, historians, museum professionals and anyone with a love of history and community! We need your help in ensuring Ohio History Day is a HUGE success for Ohio's students.
Judges sign up to volunteer at the regional, state, or both, contest level(s). Judges evaluate the work of young researchers studying topics related to an annual theme and work in teams to review entries in a specific category, interview students, and provide written feedback. Judges will also select which projects advance from the Regional to State and National levels of competition.
Each year, we need more than 550 judges to review student projects in each of the ten (10) regional contests, as well as the State Contest. The time commitment can vary up to as little as a few hours or extend to multiple competitions in different venues.
Find your contest below and it's related information (date, location, and registration link). Click on the "Sign Up" link next to your preferred contest to be re-direct you to the contest registration page.
In general, judges are expected to review all pre-judging materials prior to reviewing student entries and arriving at the contest. Check out the "Judge Toolkit" below to get started.
A brief orientation will take place the one hour before judging begins on the day-of the contest. Watch your email for judge information about one to two weeks in advance of the event. Please reach out to your Regional Coordinator or the State Coordinator with any questions.
As a judge, the Ohio History Day program, students and teachers relying on you as a critical part of the educational process. Here is what you can expect at an Ohio History Day contest, as well as what the program expects of you as a judge.
As a judge, you will:
As a judge, you are expected to:
Please reach out to your regional coordinator or email our state coordinator.
Email Us
"Seeing the students light up when they talk about their history topic is such a joy! On more than one occasion students have expressed that doing their project made them reflect on how it relates to today’s issues. It’s great to hear that they see how history is relevant."
"My favorite part about judging at History Day is talking to these passionate, well-informed students who take such ownership of their topics and the research they’ve done. It’s awesome to let them teach me about history, and I always learn something new!"
"It was wonderful to see the passion and dedication students poured into their History Day projects. My favorite moments happened when a student would talk about how their research lead them to change their perspective on a topic or reflect on their own life. It was terrific to see first-hand how the study of history can broaden a young person’s point of view."
Ohio History Day Team
Ohio History Center
800 E. 17th Ave.
Columbus, OH 43211
Phone: 614.297.2526
Or send us a message by visiting our Contact Us page and selecting "History Day" from the drop down menu.