State Contest Overview
The Florida History Fair state contest is held at Tallahassee Community College. The Student Union is the site of student registration and the main gathering area. Paper, documentary, performance, exhibit, and web site categories are judged in buildings nearby. Details about the contest and a map of the judging sites will be posted in April 2010.
Registration
Registration, which is conducted by category, takes place on Sunday from 3:00 to 8:30 p.m. and Monday from 7:45 to 8:45 a.m. Students learn their judging time and location at the time of registration.
Judging
Exhibit, historical paper, and web site judging begins at 10:00 a.m., with interviews scheduled at ten-minute intervals. Exhibit judges read process papers from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.; web and historical paper judges receive their entries in mid-April. Documentary and performance judging begins at 9:20 a.m. These entry categories are allowed 20 minutes to set up, present, and disassemble. Judges read process papers during the set up and interview students during the disassembly. At least one member of any group entry must be present to meet with the judges.
Process Papers
Students with exhibit entries retain one copy and place three copies of their process paper at their display by 9:00 a.m. on Monday. Students in first-round performance and documentary judging bring four copies to their presentation; the judges retain one copy and return three, which students bring to runoff presentations. Students with web entries bring one copy to their initial interview, which the judges will return. Students who prepare a historical paper are not required to create a process paper.
Runoffs
Performances and documentaries that advance to runoffs are posted in the Student Union and at runoff locations by 2:30 p.m. on Monday. Exhibit, web site, and historical paper runoffs are not posted. Judges do not interview students again during the runoff phase in any category.
Public Viewing
The Lifetime Sports Complex is open to the public for viewing of exhibits, web sites, and historical papers from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. on Monday. All exhibits must be removed by 6:00 p.m.
Museum Open House
On Monday evening, the Museum of Florida History invites students, teachers, and parents to visit from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. The official state history museum, MFH interprets Florida's social history from prehistory to modern times with permanent and temporary exhibits.
Awards Ceremony
The Awards Ceremony on Tuesday is held from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the Tallahassee Automobile Museum. Directions and a map will be posted in April 2010. Students who cannot be present should designate someone to accept their award in case they win. At the end of the ceremony, first- and second-place winners meet with the state coordinator to receive information about the national contest. County coordinators receive student certificates, judging sheets, and NHD information from FHF staff.