CHARLESTON, W.Va. – “No matter where you go in this room or what students you talk to, you’re going to find out quickly that they’re very passionate and very enthusiastic about their project.”
That’s what Coordinator of Student Enrichment for the WV Department of Education Duncan Lambert told RealWV on Friday, during the judging portion of the state social studies fair. The competition, which featured more than 500 students from all throughout West Virginia, was held at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.
“They (students) have spent a considerable amount of time researching and preparing their presentations,” Lambert noted. “As a former social studies teacher, and a former middle school principal, that’s exactly what you want – you want students to be excited about academics.”
According to Lambert, some 550 students from 43 different counties submitted a total of 349 projects for judging. Friday’s competitors were the winners of their individual school’s social studies fair, as well as various regional competitions across the state.
“The competition starts at the school level,” Lambert explained. “At the regional fair – which is a group of counties competing with one another – there’s a regional fair coordinator. We post the coordinator’s name, the location of the regional fair, and the date and time that it’ll take place on our website.”
Competitions are separated into three divisions: elementary, which is kindergarten through fifth grade, and middle school, which is sixth, seventh and eighth grades. The high school division consists of grades nine through 12.
Between 85 and 90 judges are necessary for the state competition – all of whom are volunteers.
“We rely heavily on educators from around the state who are willing to come to Charleston,” Lambert said. “We also have a considerable number of community members who have an interest in social studies, and they come back year after year. They’re very loyal to the social studies fair.”
Beginning in 1977, the social studies fair was initially hosted by Marshall University.
“Over time, the responsibility of the fair fell upon the Department of Education, and we’ve been hosting it ever since,” Lambert added.
Click HERE for a complete listing of 2025 West Virginia Social Studies Fair entrants. For more information about the fair, visit wvssfair.com.
If you would like any unmarked copies of project photos, send your request to news@therealwv.com.
