The East Side Freedom Library (ESFL) invites middle and high school students to benefit from our rich resources and experienced mentors as part of our commitment to teaching and learning.
National History Day at ESFL
National History Day is a nationwide program where students are challenged to develop a project illustrating a theme. Students, individually or in teams, may spend months developing their approach, conducting research, and shaping their presentation. They take ownership of presenting their project through various formats, such as storyboards, papers, performances, videos, or interactive websites. Beyond presenting historical materials, students must make an argument about how their topic impacted individuals, communities, nations, or the world, altering the course of human society.
Educational and Personal Growth
Participating in History Day allows students to gain deep historical insights and appreciate the value of historical thinking. They also develop crucial social skills and self-confidence through their research and presentations.
Resources and Mentorship at ESFL
At ESFL, students have access to extensive resources for their research projects. Our collections include newspapers from the 1930s, documentary videos, recordings of labor songsters, labor-themed visual art, union buttons, and posters. More importantly, students will find experienced mentors ready to help them shape their projects. Our mentoring team consists of retired public school teachers, college professors, and college students. We have worked with students in the Twin Cities, some of whom have won recognition in local, statewide, and national competitions.
Mentoring and Support
During the competition, our mentoring team is available Saturday morning from 10 a.m. to noon. We ask students to make an appointment by emailing info [at] eastsidefreedomlibrary [dot] org. After their initial mentoring consultation, students are welcome to use our resources at other times, and our mentors will be available for one-on-one conversations, both in person and remotely.
By participating in National History Day at ESFL, students not only learn about history but also develop valuable skills and confidence, preparing them to engage thoughtfully with the world around them.
Recent award-winning projects
Maeve, Murray Middle School, St. Paul. Second Place, Junior Individual Documentary, “Sunny Days: A Turning Point in Children’s Television”
Scout, Murray Middle School, St. Paul. Third Place, Junior Individual Exhibit, “Griswold v. Connecticut: A Turning Point in Privacy Rights”