The State of Ohio War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission has announced a research contest open to
any Ohio student ages 13 to 18 and in grades 7 through 12.The research project may take the form of an
essay, a Web site, a podcast, or a Powerpoint presentation."Our goal is for students to present
historical narrative and interpretation in a compelling and informative manner," said Dr. Peter
Hahn, a commission member and chairman of the history department at Ohio State University.First place
winners will each receive $3,000. Second place winners will each receive $1,500, and third place winners
will each take home $500. Students in grades 7 to 9 should prepare submissions based on one of the
following prompts:1. How did Ohio’s geographic location, including its proximity to Lake Erie, shape its
strategic importance to the U.S. war effort against Britain during the War of 1812?2. What were the
major causes of the formation of the British-Native American alliance in the old Northwest Territory?
How important was the encroachment by U.S. farmers and pioneers upon Native American lands in the
development of this alliance?Students in grades 10 to 12 should prepare submissions based on one of the
following prompts:1. Analyze the military campaigns within Ohio during the War of 1812 or the military
campaigns involving Ohio soldiers beyond the state’s borders. In either case, identify the strategic
aims of the commanders of the U.S. troops and assess the reasons why their operations succeeded or
failed.2. Analyze the role of Native Americans in Ohio and contiguous states in the War of 1812 and the
war’s impact on Native Americans in Ohio.The contest is open to any Ohio student in public, private,
charter, parochial, or home school. The deadline for submission of all materials is Jan. 31.Projects
will be judged on accuracy and clarity in presenting historical events, persons and places, quality of
assessment of the issues raised in the prompts, and cogent style and creativity of the final product.For
a complete list of rules and to enter the contest, students should visit
www.Warof1812.ohio.gov/contest.aspx.