Projects
This page is a curated collection of well-written, step-by-step guides for learning History through hands-on, project-based practice.
What I cannot create, I do not understand — Richard Feynman.
These projects are meant to support learning throughout the curriculum, not only at the end.
By building, writing, creating, or reconstructing real artifacts in the field, learners develop practical understanding alongside theoretical study.
Tutorials
- Historical Narrative
- Biography
- Timeline
- Historical Map
- Archive
- Genealogical Tree
- Historiographical Essay
- Primary Source Collection
- Historical Argument
- Museum Exhibit
- Oral History
Historical Narrative
- How to Write a History Narrative Essay: Step by Step Guide (Step-by-step written guide)
- Writing Narrative History (Detailed tutorial with sections on narrator, plot, characters)
Biography
- How to Write a Biography: A 7-Step Guide [+Template] (Comprehensive step-by-step guide with template)
- How to Write a Biography: Step-by-Step Writing Guide (Structured tutorial with examples)
Timeline
- TimelineJS (Open-source tool tutorial for building interactive timelines)
- How to make timelines with your usual office tools (Detailed tutorials using common software)
Historical Map
- Preparing a Historical Map for GIS Systems (Step-by-step tutorial on georectifying and using historical maps in GIS)
- Creating a Historical Map with GIS (Guide to plotting events and georeferencing in ArcGIS)
Archive
- How to Create a Digital Archive (Three-step strategy for building and preserving a digital archive)
- HOME ARCHIVAL GUIDE Your guide to build your own at-home archive! (Expert guide to preserving personal/historical materials at home)
Genealogical Tree
- How to Build a Family Tree: Tracing Your Ancestors (Step-by-step guide starting from home documents)
- How To Make A Family Tree: Step-by-Step Guide For Beginners (4-step process with online tools)
Historiographical Essay
- Seven Steps to Writing Historiography (Clear 7-step university guide)
- How to Create a Historiography: Step-By-Step Creation (Detailed steps for topic selection and analysis)
Primary Source Collection
- Creating a Primary Source Archive: All History Is Local (Library of Congress guide to building a personal/local collection)
- DIY: Create Your Own Primary Source Sets (Tutorial for curating and building sets with tools)
Historical Argument
- Writing a Thesis and Making an Argument (Guide to crafting and supporting historical theses)
- How to Research and Write a Compelling History Thesis (Step-by-step process including source analysis and outlining)
Museum Exhibit
- Crafting a Virtual Museum Using Canva : 8 Steps (Hands-on tutorial for creating a virtual exhibit)
- Curate Our Collection - Make Your Own Exhibition (Digital curation guide using museum tools and worksheets)
Oral History
- How to Do Oral History (Smithsonian best practices and step-by-step suggestions)
- How to Conduct an Oral History Interview (9 practical tips for planning and recording interviews)