Middle Schoolers’ History Exhibits Displayed at Museum and Cultural Center

Dozens of exhibits produced by Safety Harbor Middle School students are currently being displayed at the Museum and Cultural Center before being entered in the annual National History Day competition.

Forty-three finalists from the more than 120 entrants will reside in the Bayshore Boulevard museum for three weeks. The 28 first- and second-place winners will then move on to the county finals March 8th and 9th.

SHMS eighth-grade U.S. History teacher Candes Clifford, the driving force behind the school’s participation in the national event for the past eight years, said they normally send at least one contributor to the state finals every year.

“The great thing about this competition is what interests the students is what they do,” Clifford said during the exhibit’s grand opening on Friday night.

“There are lots of ways for them to present their information, so it really lets their talents shine.”

Stay up to date with all the local issues. Sign up for the free Safety Harbor Patch email newsletter and you won't miss a thing!

The theme of this year’s competition is turning points in history. Entrants can work together or individually and submit projects in one of five mediums: exhibit, website, performance, paper or documentary.

Clifford said the project begins right near the start of the school year. The three-month endeavor includes meticulous research, planning and preparation, with at least 30 independent sources required for the bibliography.

Choosing subjects they are already interested in, such as the moon landing or website design, combined with the competitive nature of the event, really helps get the best out of every student, according to Clifford.

“This goes beyond the classroom wall,” she said. “It really raises everyone’s game.”

The Safety Harbor Middle School National History Day exhibits will be on display at the Safety Harbor Museum and Cultural Center through March 1st. Call 727-724-1562 for more information.