POCATELLO — Seven Gem Prep charter school students have been chosen to compete in the upcoming National History Day state competition, according to a news release from Gem Prep. 

The students include Tyler Crotts, Luke Heide, Melaney Horn, Taylor England, Gavin Lace, Dustin Albert and Tildon Hottman. All seven of these students are in the eighth and ninth grade at Gem Prep. 

Students who participate in the National History Day competition must research a historical topic and present their findings. According to the news release, the presentation can be done as a documentary, exhibit, paper, performance or website. 

Many of the selected students expressed excitement about being selected to participate in the competition. 

“I expected us to do well because we worked hard on our project,” Luke said in the news release. “I’m proud of us and the work we did to place first.” 

According to the news release, many of the students worked together in groups on their projects.  

“Working on a big project like this alone is very stressful, but working together is more helpful and successful,” Gavin said in the news release. 

Luke, Melany and Tyler worked together on their project. They researched the effect space travel has had on society, which they presented as a documentary. All three students said they learned how space travel has impacted medicine and agriculture, and they learned about all the different animals that have gone to space.

According to the news release, each of the students were asked about what advice they would give to students entering the competition next year. They all said not to procrastinate. Other advice given was to find a way to stay motivated. 

“Check the judge’s rubric,” Taylor said in the news release. “It tells you what you can and can’t do which can save you time in the long run.” 

Brooklyn Osborne, a social studies teacher at Gem Prep said in the news release that the competition gives students an opportunity to develop critical thinking and presentation skills. 

“Each of these students took the initiative to explore and engage with history in a meaningful way,” she said in the news release. “I am very proud of the hard work, creativity and dedication these students put into their National History Day projects.”