San Bernardino County History Day
History Day 2026-2027 - Innovation in History: Impact, Influence, Change
California State University, San Bernardino will be the charter agency for San Bernardino County's History Day Contest beginning 2026/2027, carrying on the strong tradition established by SBCSS!
The National History Day® 2027 theme is Innovation in History: Impact, Influence, Change. Innovation is about more than just new inventions or technologies—it also includes new ideas, methods, and ways of thinking that have shaped history. Historians examine not only what was created, but also why it mattered and how it changed people's lives.
This interdisciplinary program encourages students to conduct research and present historical findings in creative formats, building skills in social studies and language arts. Students can create documentaries, exhibits, performances, podcasts, posters, websites, or posters.
Competition Categories and Levels
The competition is split by grade level and offers various categories:
- Grades 4-5: Participate in non-national categories such as Poster or Podcast (Individual or Group).
- Grades 6-12: Eligible for the county competition in Documentaries, Exhibits, Historical Paper (submitted to the state), Performances, Podcast, or Websites.
Key Rules:
- Entries can be Individual or Group (2-5 students).
- Students may only enter one category.
- Top county entries advance to the state competition.
New Contact for 2026/2027:
Dr. Michelle Lorimer
Department of History
CSU, San Bernardino
History Research Day @ CSUSB
Collaborative Experience: Learn side by side with education and library experts from the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools and California State University, San Bernardino and John M. Pfau Library.
- Engage in hands-on workshops designed to boost your research skills.
- Dive into this year’s National History Day theme: Innovation in History: Impact, Influence, Change.
- Access local resources and tools to enhance your History Day projects.
CSU, San Bernardino
John M. Pfau Library Resources
The Pfau Library at Cal State San Bernardino is open to the public and welcomes students from the surrounding communities in support of National History Day. If you are able to visit in person, please look at the "Alumni and Visitors" page before coming to campus and know you will be able to access most online and print collections at select computers on site.
If you are unable to make it in person, you will not be able to access most of their collections, but you can use the "Primary Sources" tab on their guide to access some free Websites (including CSUSB Scholarworks - Special Collections & University Archives) that contain digitized primary resources. The Library Guide also includes links to free open access research resources.
Professional Development Resources
Enhance Daily Instruction with History Day Resources!
Bring National History Day into your classroom with engaging virtual trainings for grades 4–12. Learn to integrate History Day themes and resources, explore this year’s theme, and gain practical tools and strategies to engage students and deepen their understanding of history.
- Videos Coming Soon
Who Is It For?
- Teachers of history-social science and English language arts (grades 4–12)
- Librarians
- Curriculum specialists and coordinators
- School site and district administrators
- National History Day advisors, coaches, and organizers
County Competition
The 2026/2027 San Bernardino County History Day Competition takes place Saturday, March 6, 2027 at California State University, San Bernardino.
INTERVIEW SCHEDULES
Preview Category Upload – 2/25/2027 Opens
The following categories must be submitted in advance for judges to preview prior to the contest: Documentaries, Podcasts, and Websites.
Key Dates
The San Bernardino County History Day takes place Saturday, March 6, 2027 at CSUSB. Students will submit documentaries, exhibits, performances, podcasts, posters, and websites. Historical papers are submitted directly to the state at: https://www.nhdca.org/historical-paper-contest/
- San Bernardino History Day Kickoff & Orientation: Thurs. Sept. 10, 4:30-6:30 PM
- NHD-CA Theme Webinar: Mon. Sept. 14, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
- Research Day at CSUSB. Interest form & pre-registration required: Fri. Oct. 16
- San Bernardino Region Registration Opens - $65/student: Tues. Jan. 12
- San Bernardino Region Registration Closes: Tues. Jan. 26
- Late Registration Closes - $80/student: Thurs. Feb. 4
- Websites locked: Thurs. Feb. 25, 9:00 PM
- Documentaries, Podcasts, All Written Materials Uploaded: Mar. 4, 9:00 PM
- San Bernardino History Day Contest and Awards Ceremony: Saturday Mar. 6, 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM; 4:00-5:00 PM. Location: California State University San Bernardino (CSUSB)
Volunteer Judge Information
All judge trainings are mandatory and are provided by National History Day – California. Judges are essential to History Day, as they evaluate projects, conduct student interviews, and provide constructive feedback.
San Bernardino County History Day will be held Saturday, March 6, 2027. Students will submit documentaries, exhibits, performances, podcasts, posters, and websites. Judges play a critical role in ensuring a fair and meaningful experience for all participants.
Volunteer Registration
When: Saturday, March 6, 2027
Time: 7:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: California State University, San Bernardino
5500 University Parkway, San Bernardino, CA 92407