The Virginia Consortium of Social Studies Specialists and College   Educators (VCSSSCE) held its Summer Leadership Meeting at UMW’s College of Education on Friday, June 8.

The organization comprises stakeholders in Virginia history and social sciences education, including social studies specialists, college educators, museum professionals, social studies education non-profit professionals and representatives from the Virginia Department of Education.

John P. Broome, assistant professor in curriculum & instruction and director of undergraduate secondary and preK-12 education programs in the College of Education, serves as the State Instructional Committee Chair for the organization.

John P. Broome, assistant professor in curriculum and instruction and director of undergraduate secondary education and preK-12 education programs in the College of Education, judged student-made documentaries for the Virginia state championships of National History Day on Saturday, April 21 in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Every year, more than half a million U.S. students conduct extensive primary and secondary research through libraries, archives, museums, oral history interviews, and historic sites for the contest. This year’s theme was “Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History.” After analyzing and interpreting primary and secondary sources and drawing conclusions about their topics’ historical significance, students submit their work in original papers, Web sites, exhibits, performances, and documentaries.

Student entries are judged at the district, regional and state levels. The top two winners from each category compete at the national championships at the Kenneth E. Behring National Contest on June 10-14, 2012 at the University of Maryland at College Park.