Skip to main content

K–12 Education

Cultivate the next generation of historians with Michigan History Day® competitions and Michigan History for Kids Curriculum Sets. 

Engaging Students With Michigan's History

Michigan's history is not just for adults—it's for our younger generations too! At the Historical Society of Michigan, we aim to provide an enriching educational experience for all of Michigan's students by hosting two statewide K-12 initiatives: Michigan History Day® and Michigan History for Kids. Michigan History Day, or National History Day in Michigan, is a yearlong academic competition that encourages students to research a historical topic of interest and present it in an academic format at regional, state, and national competitions. Michigan History for Kids is a curriculum set geared toward students in 3rd and 4th grades and teaches Michigan's history while adhering to educational standards. Learn more about both programs below!

Three present their exhibit on Ada

Michigan History Day®

Students and their teacher at National History Day

Michigan History Day, a project-based learning program of the Historical Society of Michigan, is a yearlong educational program that encourages students to explore local, state, national, and world history. Also known as National History Day in Michigan, winners of the state level competition move on to compete in National History Day.

After selecting a historical topic that relates to the annual theme, students conduct extensive research. They analyze and interpret their findings, draw conclusions about their topics’ significance in history, and create final projects in one of five categories.

Michigan History for Kids

Designed to be a supplemental aid in classrooms, the Michigan History for Kids curriculum set thoroughly integrates Michigan’s Grade Level Content Expectations (GLCEs) and other emerging standards into their many stories, information, and activities. Using both print and digital platforms, each issue brings to life a different part of our state’s past and features stories about the diverse people, places, and events that have impacted Michigan over time.

Michigan History for Kids 2 Cover Collage

Questions? 

If you have questions about either Michigan History Day or Michigan History for Kids and can't find the answers on our website, reach out to us today at michiganhistoryday@hsmichigan.org. We'd love to help!