Cen-Tex History Fair Rules

Please visit the National History Day website for official NHD rules.

Here are some additional rules that all participants must follow:

  1. To be eligible for advancement and awards, all student participants must be present at the Cen-Tex History Fair to answer judges’ questions. Exceptional circumstances will be considered at the sole discretion of the Cen-Tex History Fair coordinator upon reasonable notice prior to the fair.
  2. Each school may sponsor up to five (5) project entries for each of the group and individual categories (i.e., 5 papers, 5 group exhibits, 5 individual exhibits, etc.). Any ties which would cause a school to exceed this 5-entry limit per category must be resolved at the school level.
  3. For home schooled students, a home school organization or co-op will hold a fair to determine the students who will advance to the Cen-Tex Regional Fair. Each organization/co-op may sponsor up to five (5) project entries for each of the group and individual categories (i.e., 5 papers, 5 group exhibits, 5 individual exhibits, etc.). Any ties which would cause a home school organization/co-op to exceed this 5-entry limit per category must be resolved at the organization/co-op level.
  4. Students must operate and set up their own media, exhibits, and props as specified in the NHD Contest Rule Book.
  5. Students in all categories except websites must bring four (4) copies of the written materials required by the National Contest Guide (i.e., process paper and annotated bibliography) to the Cen-Tex History Fair.
  6. All registration materials and fees must be submitted to the Cen-Tex History Fair. Registration information dates, deadlines, fees, and other information will be posted on the LBJ Library and Museum website at www.lbjlibrary.org. This information will be posted in early December.
  7. Students must read and follow all of the rules contained in the NHD Contest Rule Book.

Special Rules for the Website Category

  • Be sure to enter Weebly through the NHD portal to create projects. Entering directly through the Weebly site will not allow projects to be viewed for judging.
  • Website entries will be judged in advance of the Cen-Tex History Fair. Be sure to note the early deadline submission date.
  • Five finalists will be selected by the preliminary judges.
  • Website entries must be prepared to be interviewed at the Cen-Tex History Fair if they are finalists. Finalists will be notified of their selection prior to the fair.

Special Rules for students entering the Historical Paper category

  • Paper entries will be judged in advance of the Cen-Tex History Fair. Be sure to note the early deadline submission date. Papers must be received at the LBJ Library by the submission deadline.
  • Paper writers must submit four (4) copies of their papers and annotated bibliographies with their registration materials and fees.
  • Five finalists will be selected by the preliminary judges.
  • Paper writers must be prepared to be interviewed at the Cen-Tex History Fair if they are finalists. Finalists will be notified of their selection prior to the fair.