Skip menu to read main page content

Historical Investigations Portal

The Historical Investigations Portal (HIP) is our online curriculum, offering interactive lesson plans that allow students to analyze and synthesize multiple primary source documents, images, and objects to draw evidence-based conclusions about compelling historical questions.

The Maryland Center for History and Culture partners with CourseArc, a local leader in e-learning, to provide HIP to educators. Districts, individual schools, or teachers can link HIP lessons directly through their Learning Management Systems (LMS) or other digital resource platforms. Public access links are also available for those that do not operate with an LMS.

Upper elementary (grades 4-5) and middle to high school (grades 8-12) courses are available. All lessons address topics in Maryland and U.S. history, while building essential reading, writing, and thinking skills.

Please complete this form to request our teacher resource packets (including lesson answer keys, primary sources, and lesson standards) for the lessons available below, or email Tyler Osborne, Digital Learning Manager, at [email protected] for more information to get your classroom, school, or district set up with HIP.

Upper Elementary Course (Grades 4-5)

Maryland State Curriculum for fourth and fifth grade levels requires students to examine how individuals and societies have changed over time in Maryland, the United States, and the world. Classes also investigate how geography, civics, and economics impacted these developments, from the pre-colonial period to the American Civil War.


Available Lessons

Middle and High School Course (Grades 8-12)


Available Lessons

Please Note

Educators within Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Calvert County, Dorchester County, Harford County, Howard County, St. Mary’s, and Queen Anne County Public Schools are able to access HIP through their learning management systems. Please contact your county or school’s Social Studies Coordinator/IT Specialist for more information.


Have a Question?

Contact Tyler Osborne, Digital Learning Manager, by phone at 410-685-3750, ext. 378, or email at [email protected].


Stay Connected

Sign up for our biweekly Educator Newsletter about all things education at the Maryland Center for History and Culture.