Thank you for your interest in volunteering as a Massachusetts History Day judge! 

Judging is key to the success of Massachusetts History Day, and our judges' work is critical to the students' experience. 

All you need is a love of history--no experience or prior knowledge required!

Are you an educator? Join us as an MHD judge and earn professional development points! Teachers who judge at a contest/showcase will receive 10 PDPs per event.

How Judging Works

NHD relies on consensus judging. Judges will be assigned to work in teams of three to review projects in their category (papers, websites, exhibits, performances, documentaries, or podcasts). 

Paper and Website judges will receive project materials to review a week in advance of the contest via this registration portal. You do NOT need to fill out feedback forms prior to contest day. You will be given the opportunity to fill out and submit feedback forms as a judging team on contest day. All other category judges will receive their student materials on contest day. 

As a judge, you are responsible for the following:

• Contacting us as soon as possible if you cannot fulfill your commitment to judge. We may ask that you help us to find someone to fill your time slot if possible.
• Paying careful attention as you review the projects so that you can evaluate them well. Students have worked for months on their projects and are looking forward to this opportunity to share their work.
• Alerting MHD staff to any conflicts of interest, including students you know personally or schools with which you have a close relationship.
• Setting aside personal bias for or against topics. We ask that you judge each project based on the merits of the evidence and historical claim that the student presents.
• Contacting MHD staff immediately if there are problems. We are here to help!