The New York State Archives and Archives Partnership Trust are now accepting entries for the 2022 New York State Student Research Awards program, according to State education commissioner, Betty A. Rosa, who made the announcement on Thursday, Feb. 16.

 

Now in its 32^nd year, the Student Research Awards program is a statewide historical research competition for students in grades four through twelve. The annual program provides an award to students whose projects are selected as winners in the elementary, middle school, and high school divisions.

The program encourages students to explore the wealth of historical records held in repositories in New York State. The program also increases cooperation among schools and organizations with historical records useful for education.

Rosa said students who have the opportunity to grow and excel outside the classroom are more engaged in the classroom. “Through this competition, young New Yorkers will immerse themselves in our State’s history, get excited about learning, and create projects that inspire their peers and fellow citizens,” she said.

 

Meanwhile, Board of Regents chancellor, Lester W. Young, Jr., said the nation’s most prestigious historians were compelled to pursue research to learn from the past, and address social problems. “By providing opportunities for this type of engagement at a young age, we are empowering young people across the State to look for solutions and drive change in our communities and beyond,” he said.

All projects must be based on original historical research that uses historical records, contains an annotated bibliography, and the applicant’s project must be nominated by a mentor. Mentors can be educators, parents, or another adult community member. Projects can be submitted on any topic, and in any format, including video, research paper, or exhibits. The deadline for submissions is July 1, 2022.  

According to The New York State Archives and Archives Partnership Trust, the awards are funded by generous contributions from the Chodos Family Fund and other donors to the trust, a 501(c)3 organization. The trust builds education, preservation, and outreach programs that are not funded by the State, making accessible over 350 years of New York’s colonial and State government records, housed in the State Archives. The State Archives is a program of the New York State Education Department.

Applicants are encouraged to visit the New York State Archives website for detailed guidelines and application materials on the Student Research Awards, or to learn more about the 2021 winners and their projects.