State Archives sponsors 18th annual student research contest

To encourage students to use historical records, the New York State Archives, a program of the state Education Department, is sponsoring the 18th annual Student Research Awards. The contest is open to all New York students in grades 4-12 who use historical records in their research projects.

Three awards are presented each year: grades 4-5, grades 6-8, and grades 9-12. The awards consist of a framed certificate, a check for $100 from an endowment established by Regent Emerita Laura Chodos and her husband Robert Chodos, an invitation to have lunch with the Regents in Albany and a behind-the-scenes tour of the State Archives.

Eligible projects are computer-based entries, such as Web sites or PowerPoint presentations; exhibits; documentaries; performances; research for a historical marker, property or district; and traditional research papers.

A substantial portion of the research should be based on historical records from archives, museums, historical societies, libraries, local governments or other organizations. Examples are: historical records, original letters, diaries, photographs, meeting minutes, police and court records, ledgers, census records and wills.

Deadline for entry is July 1, as most successful projects usually take students months to develop. For information about this year's program, click on "Education" at www.archives.nysed.gov, call (518) 473-8495 or e-mail archedu@mail.nysed.gov.