History Project Ideas for High School Students

If you have a deep interest in the past and are fascinated by different historical periods, pursuing history research projects might be for you. 

Studying history allows you to understand the reasons behind past events. This, in turn, helps you develop skills that can contribute to shaping a better future. Moreover, projects that draw from your interests and passions (‘passion projects’)  have become increasingly important to boost college applications. 

So, if you are interested in history, here is a list of some ideas for a possible ‘passion project’. 

Ideas for History Projects

Comparative Research Projects 

Comparing events or societies across different geographical areas, or the development of a phenomenon through time, is a productive approach to history research. It offers an opportunity to explore similarities and differences between different periods and contexts, and the factors that shape societies and events. 

When engaging in a comparative history research project, it is crucial to start by selecting specific events or societies (e.g. the impact of the printing press in Germany and France; lockdown rules during Covid in two rural villages in Chian), and then investigate the causes and consequences of these events as well as their political, economic, social, and cultural aspects. Through comparative research, e, you can develop critical thinking and analytical skills while uncovering patterns and connections that may not be immediately apparent. Comparative projects can be presented in a variety of formats. The written essay is perhaps the most popular, but there are others, and they are described below.

Digital Scrapbook

You can decide to present your history project using a digital scrapbook format. For instance, you can choose an ancient civilization and start collecting maps and images about its traditions and culture.  Bring them together and write short descriptions for the readers based on trustworthy academic sources. If you are interested in fashion, you could create a fashion scrapbook that outlines the dress code and style of a specific social group during a given period. Conduct research and present how people dressed and the meaning associated with their garments. You can even recreate the garments themselves,  organise a real fashion show, and film it. A digital scrapbook project will foreground your ability to communicate your knowledge through both writing, image, and digital media, which is a highly valued skill by colleges and universities and even employers.  

History  Video Game

If you have some knowledge of video game design and programming languages, you can create a history project by transforming historical events and figures into a video game. You can choose an important discovery, a famous battle, and design a video game based on them. This type of project will challenge you to think about the boundary between fiction, history and what counts as historical evidence, an important issue in historical research.

Historical Cooking Show

If you are passionate about cooking, you could use a cooking show format.   Explore the foods and recipes prepared by a particular social group at a particular time in history. You could try out the recipes themselves, film yourself while doing it, and create a video that supports your written research.

Podcasts from the Past

You could create a podcast series about well-known and lesser-known historical figures. This format lends itself well to group work, and it is ideal if you like acting. You could impersonate your chosen historical figure while a member of your group interviews you to understand the personality and achievements of the figure you are impersonating. Obscure inventors, famous explorers, and unsung heroes all have the potential to become a thought-provoking podcast from the past.

Tips for a Successful History Project 

Before choosing your history project, you should consider the points below.  Addressing these will make your project more engaging and manageable. 

1. What are Your Interests?

Starting a project is both exciting and daunting.  An effective way to start is identifying your interests and a topic you would like to know more about: the more you enjoy researching something, the more it will motivate you to finish the project. Start thinking about the historical events, periods, and figures that have captured your attention over the years.

2. Consider your Class Curriculum

To find history project ideas, you could consider topics that are not covered in class. This will boost your college application since it will evidence initiative and the ability to think independently. Choosing a topic from your class curriculum is also possible and has advantages since it may help you perform better in final exams. 

3. Explore Current Events

There is a tendency to think of history as a people and events from the distant past. However,  current and contemporary issues can also be studied as history. Looking at current events in retrospect, ‘with the eyes of a historian’, will foreground your ability to identify important topics which have been overlooked by the general public and the media. 

4. Using Images and Visuals 

Creating a visually appealing project is not only aesthetically pleasing but also a powerful tool for communicating your knowledge to others. Images tend to convey meaning more rapidly than long written texts. For example, you could include a timeline to show the chronological order of key events or contemporaneous visual representations of the topic you are researching. 

5. Use Historical Books and Resources

When working on a history project, it is essential to utilize reliable historical books and resources. These sources provide accurate and credible information that can support your research and strengthen the credibility of your project. Start by identifying reputable books written by historians or experts in the field. Look for peer-reviewed and widely recognized books within the academic community. These books provide comprehensive coverage of knowledge that will enhance your project and highlight your research skills. 

Conclusion

History is a fascinating subject. A history ‘passion project’ allows you to explore both the distant and near past and lends itself to being presented through formats other than the traditional prose essay.. If you want to start your research journey, the Indigo Research Program is here to transform your ideas into reality. We will pair you with mentors from top universities and turn your project into publishable research.