"Exhibiting History" offers a classroom or individual learning tool

"Exhibiting History" is a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation produced by CMHEC which may be used in the classroom with an LCD projector or by individuals on computers. In the presentation we encourage students to think of their exhibit as a "mini-museum" where superior research and interpretation go hand-in-hand with effective and imaginative design. The presentation offers a "labels approach" to the exhibit text that is different than the older captions approach. It communicates the thesis and central points of the interpretation so that resembles a museum exhibit and presents a less disjointed narrative.

Exhibiting History Presentation

This presentation has simple production values – no video, animation, or narration. It is composed of text and pictures on a white background so that the file is small enough to download or use as a printed copy with students.

	Watch Below (3 MB)
	Download Exhibiting History PowerPoint Presentation (1 MB) (Right or Option-click and choose SAVE AS...)

If your browser does not support the viewing of the PowerPoint file (the file extension is .ppt), you can download and install Microsoft's PowerPoint Viewer 2007.

If you would prefer, you can purchase a copy of the Exhibiting History CD from CMHEC for $10 (includes shipping and handling). Make check payable to the Chicago Metro History Education Center.

History Fair Rules and Guidelines

STUDENT-CENTERED EXHIBITS GUIDE

Or click here for a complete list of Exhibit Rules and Guidelines

National History Day
NHD offers an excellent guide to creating exhibits. A few recommendations and rules are not applicable to History Fair, but there is plenty of helpful advice. See in particular: "Orientation/Segmentation/Explanation" and "Levels of Text."
http://www.nhd.org/CategoryExhibit.htm

"HELP! For National History Day Exhibit Projects"
An exhibit designer's booklet for doing History Fair exhibits produced by the pro's at the Hoover Institution. Cultivate the inner artist or graphic designer! (After the research and interpretation is completed….)
http://hoover.archives.gov/education/nhd/index.html

Writing Effective Labels
"Exhibit Label Basics, Part 3: Content"
How to write strong labels that do the job for your exhibit. Written for beginners, Kenneth DeRoux, Curator of Museum Services, Alaska State Museum, condenses the best tips on writing exhibit labels into a readable two page document. Thought not all tips apply to History Fair, it is very worthwhile.
http://www.museums.state.ak.us/documents/bulletin_docs/bulletin_5.pdf

Use an Exhibit Storyboard to Plan Your Presentation

You’ve done the research, developed the thesis and argument, found your evidence now you are thinking about the exhibit!  If you haven’t viewed the “Exhibiting History” PowerPoint, take 15 minutes to do so, then use this storyboard to ensure you have the sources you need for each section of your exhibit.

Download the Exhibit Story Board worksheet

Instructions: Click anywhere in the center of the slideshow featured below to advance to the next slide. To go back one slide, click anywhere in the area of the left side of the slideshow. The presentation is about 58 slides long. (Requires Adobe Flash Player)

Download Exhibiting History PowerPoint Presentation (1 MB)

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