GET YOUR STUDENTS EXCITED ABOUT HISTORY

The Amistad Commission is excited to offer three dynamic opportunities that will ignite students’ passion for history and sharpen their historical thinking skills! These engaging projects invite students to dive deep into the rich tapestry of African American and Afro-diasporic history, allowing them to conduct meaningful research and create impactful projects for National History Day (Grades 6-12), African American History Day for Grades PreK-2, Grade 3, Grades 4 & 5 and a Virtual Video Project for Grades 6-12.   
Check out the details below for more information—don’t miss out on these exciting chances to make history come alive!

New Jersey African American History Day Contest PreK-2

The New Jersey Amistad Commission is introducing an event for elementary students to display their academic knowledge in Social Studies and History. This contest will highlight the contributions of prominent African Americans to the United States of American.  This contest is designed specifically for students in Kindergarten, First, and Second Grades.  The contest will be held in February 2027.

Educators will be asked to prepare a lesson between ten and fifteen minutes which engages their students and highlights the accomplishments of their favorite African American. The information should be displayed on a bulletin board, (either in the classroom or school hallway) or displayed on the classroom door. The project steps should be video recorded and specifically highlight the selection of the African American, why they selected the individual, samples of the individual’s contributions to the United States of America and their students’ participation to the project.

The finished video product should include the following information: the teacher and principal’s names, school name, school district/county, grade level, email and school’s telephone number. The entry will be sent to AmistadSpecialProjects@doe.nj.gov before Friday, February 26, 2027.  The winners will be announced in March 2027.

All video submissions will be uploaded to The Amistad Commission’s website as an educational project/resource. Winning schools will receive-1st Place -$1,000.

If you have questions, email us at: AmistadSpecialProjects@doe.nj.gov 

CONTEST DETAILS: 2027 African American History Contest Grades PreK-2

New Jersey African American History Day Contest Grades 3

The New Jersey Amistad Commission is introducing an event for elementary students to display their academic knowledge in Social Studies and History. This contest will highlight the contributions of prominent African Americans to the United States of American. This contest is designed specifically for students in 3rd Grade. The contest will be held in February 2027.

The goal of this contest is to align the learning journey and student comprehension with the New Jersey Standards, while empowering students to successfully develop confidence, pride, research, writing, public speaking and critical thinking skills. Additionally, the program will encourage educators to explore a new avenue to meet the mandate of the Amistad Legislation.

To keep it highly engaging but completely manageable for 3rd grade students, we are offering a simplified Choice Board. The projects are smaller options that focus on just one African American historical figure, invention, or event:

Option 1: The “Trading Card” (Mini poster)

Instead of a giant poster board, students create a large “Trading Card” (using a standard piece of construction paper).

  • Front: A drawing or printed picture of their chosen history maker or invention.
  • Back: 3 quick bulleted facts: Who they are, what they did, and why it matters today.                                         

Option 2: The “Postcard from History”                                                                                                                 

Students pretend they traveled back in time to witness a significant moment or meet a historical figure.

  • Front: A hand-drawn picture of the moment or person.
  • Back: A short, 3-sentence letter written to a friend explaining what they “saw” and why it was important.

Option 3: The 3D “Bio-Box”

A simplified version of a diorama using an open shoebox.

  • Inside: Students place 2 or 3 small items (drawings or real objects) that represent their person or event.
  • Outside: A simple 2-sentence label explaining what the objects are and their importance in African American history.

These ideas are highly favorable because:

  • Easy Submissions: Teachers can simply snap a picture of the front and back of the project (or the inside of the box) and email them in for judging. No travel or heavy shipping required.
  • The finished product should include the following information: the student’s name, the teacher and principal’s names, school name, school district/county, teacher’s email and school’s telephone number. The entry will be sent to: AmistadSpecialProjects@doe.nj.gov before Friday, February 26, 2027. The winners will be announced in March 2027.

All video contest submissions will be uploaded to The Amistad Commission’s website as an educational project/resource. The winning school will receive $1,000 to support further teaching of the Amistad Mandate.

CONTEST DETAILS: 2026-2027 New Jersey Amistad Commission’s African American History Day- 3rd Grade Contest

New Jersey African American History Day Contest Grades 4-5

African American History Day contest promotes the research of notable African Americans with connections to New Jersey. This contest is designed specifically for students in fourth and fifth grades.

The purpose of this contest is to develop elementary students’ historical thinking skills as they connect to New Jersey’s African American History. Additionally, this will serve to prepare New Jersey’s elementary students for the National History Day Competitions while supporting educators in the implementation of the New Jersey Amistad Legislation through a creative avenue. Educators interested in participating should seek prior board approval through their curriculum department to ensure that funding for materials, transportation, and other related expenses can be allocated in preparation for the event, which will take place in early 2027.

Students can use one of the following formats to complete their projects: Exhibit Poster, Essay (Paper), and Performance (poetry, dance, singing, skit or play). Students will be permitted to enter as a solo participant or in groups of two to four maximum. Each student project will require a research paper of a minimum of 100 words, maximum of 300, listing all research, including interviews or other resources.

The contest will include presentations with students from across the state. There will be two regional locations, one for the northern and southern part of the state. The contest will be capped at 100 students for the Northern and 100 students for the Southern region.

North Jersey

Saturday, February 6, 2027-William Paterson University (Snow date February 27, 2027)

South Jersey

Saturday, January 30, 2027-Camden County Technical School (Snow date February 13, 2027)

Please note:

If you are an educator or administrator interested in participating:  2026-2027 African American History Day Contest Grades 4 & 5 – Fill out form

If you have questions, email us at: Amistadsp@doe.nj.gov

Deadline to complete the form is December 18th, 2026, please ensure you have Board of Education approval or in the process of.

Teachers new to the African American History 4th and 5th grade contest can receive a stipend for their participation.  The Amistad Commission will fund a $1,000 stipend for one school year to any certified teacher under contract to a school district, to start a 4th/5th Grade History Day Program based on a theme related to African American or African diasporic history. Amistad Commission’s National History Day Stipend, 2026-2027 School Year (Grades 4-5) – Fill out form

STIPEND DETAILS:  2026- 2027 Amistad Commission 4th & 5th Grade History Day Stipend Revised (9-4-26)

CONTEST DETAILS:  2027 New Jersey Amistad Commission’s African American History Day

NJHD

NJ History Day-National History Day Grades 6-12

The New Jersey Amistad Commission in partnership with New Jersey History Day (National History Day affiliate)

Every year, the nonprofit National History Day organization hosts a competition in which students in grades six through twelve (6–12) create original historical projects on topics of their choosing based on an annual theme. After thinking critically about a topic’s significance, students conduct extensive research and present their work in one of five categories: Exhibit, Performance, Documentary, Website, and Paper. Students enter their projects at local, state, and national levels, where they are evaluated by professional historians and educators. Students across the state have participated in this exciting event, presenting their research at regional, state, and national events. 

The Amistad Commission will fund a $1,000 stipend for one school year to any certified teacher under contract to a school district, to start a National History Day Group based on a theme related to African American or African diasporic history.

The funds will be used to compensate a teacher for time outside of contractual hours. The funds will be provided to your school district once all requirements are met. The stipend will be provided for one middle school teacher and/or one high school teacher in a school district.

If you are an interested teacher please complete this form linked and register on the NJ History Day website. Link:  Amistad Commission’s National History Day Stipend 2026-2027 School Year-GRADES 6-12 ONLY – Fill out form

The Amistad Commission will host a “How to start a National History Day” workshop for anyone interested.

Recent Participation Highlights:

  • Regional Contests (Rutgers–Camden, Monmouth, and St. Elizabeth):
    A total of 80 projects focused on African American and/or African diasporic history were submitted across the regional sites.

  • State Contest:
    Of those, 45 projects advanced to the state level.

  • National Contest:
    9 projects advanced to the National History Day contest, with 3 receiving national recognition either as high-ranking entries or recipients of special awards.

Special shout-out to teachers Theresa Maughan, Tracey Prince, Sabreen Mateen, Miguel Rodriguez, Judith Vihonski, and Christy Marella and their students for their outstanding research, mentorship, and commitment to elevating African American and African diasporic history through National History Day.

View the inaugural Afro-Latino History Day Contest that took place at Pleasantville High School on October 18th, 2025.

“Lights, Camera, Action!” “The Amistad Commission’s 2027 Virtual Video Tours of

New Jersey’s African American Historical Landmarks Contest”

The New Jersey Amistad Commission is showcasing a visual arts contest project for Middle School and High School students to display their academic skills in Social Studies, History and Digital Visual Media Communications. The contest project is designed for educators and students to create a 20–30-minute VIRTUAL TOUR of New Jersey’s African American Landmarks to highlight the hidden historical treasures in New Jersey. This Virtual Video Contest Project will allow future educators and students the opportunity to view virtual field trips without leaving the classroom.

Decide on a destination in your county and relate the project to the content of the location and the historical significance to New Jersey. Each project submission will have an African American theme/ location. Students will develop a plan that includes the logistics of the project, equipment needed, funding, and all the activities to complete the project. Next, research and create an itinerary/script for the project and begin filming. The videotaped project should be a minimum of 20 minutes, maximum of 30 minutes.

Teachers/ Administrators will submit the finished Virtual Landmark Video and an outline on how your school will use the funding to implement the Amistad Commission’s Mandates to Andrea.Bair@doe.nj.gov by June 1, 2027.

All video contest submissions will be uploaded to The Amistad Commission’s website as an educational project/resource. Winning schools will receive -1st Place -$2,500, 2nd Place- $2,000, 3rd Place- $1,500. Travel around the State of New Jersey and tour African American Historical Landmarks without leaving the classroom. Winning projects from the Virtual Tours of New Jersey’s African American Historical Landmarks Contest will be presented at the Amistad Commission’s 2027 Summer Institute.

CONTEST DETAILS: 2027 African American Video Contest Grades 6-12