Start early in the school year. Make history fair part of the curriculum and set a schedule for students to pick a topic, locate sources, write an outline, and complete their project. Send information home to parents about their child's assignment. Attending a workshop for new teachers is strongly recommended. Teaching resources to help you and your students are available free of charge.

For more detailed information view the Teacher Handbook online. Adobe Acrobat Reader is needed to view this document. To download the proper version click the icon

Illinois History Fairs: Learning from Illinois' Past, Illinois History Expo

Getting Started with History Fair (Length 8:36) This program gets students on the right track when deciding on a topic and researching a project.

Designing and Building Exhibits (Length 11:30) The tape explores good exhibit design techniques and construction methods.

Tips for Top Exhibits (Length 21:36) A slide show on videotape with 23 exhibits from the Illinois History Expo

National History Day - Research Central

Illinois Digital Archives

Illinois State Archives

Illinois State Library - Reference and information services.

Illinois State Museum - "At Home in the Heartland" provides many ideas for topics.

Illinois History Pages - Information on many

Learn Illinois - Site for younger kids.

Learning Online

Chicago Metro History Education Center - Basic guidelines to selecting a history fair topic.

Southern Illinois History - Places

Southern Illlinois History - People