What is ThinkQuest?
ThinkQuest is an online learning platform that helps students develop important 21st century skills, including communication, critical thinking, and technology skills.
Delivered to K-12 schools globally, ThinkQuest includes a project environment that supports collaborative learning; technology competitions that challenge students to solve real-world problems; the award-winning ThinkQuest Library, a learning resource visited by millions; and professional development for educators.
How did ThinkQuest come to be?
In 1998, Oracle Corporation created an email and web service for schools in the UK and US, called Think.com. Oracle continued to add features to Think.com with a new focus on project learning and launched the service in more countries, creating a comprehensive online learning community with membership that spanned the globe.
In 2005, sponsorship of Think.com was transferred to the Oracle Education Foundation (OEF). In 2008, OEF integrated Think.com with ThinkQuest (an international competition operated by OEF since 2002) to create a single program under the ThinkQuest brand.
How can ThinkQuest be used in the classroom?
You can incorporate ThinkQuest into lessons from any curricular area through online projects, assignments, peer review, and more. View the
Get Started section for ideas on how to introduce ThinkQuest into your classroom.
How does ThinkQuest address student safety?
Please refer to the
What is ThinkQuest? section for overviews of ThinkQuest Projects and the ThinkQuest Competition, which address issues of student safety and privacy. You can also refer to the
Privacy Policy.
Are there non-English versions of ThinkQuest?
ThinkQuest Projects supports the following languages, and more are added periodically:
- Brazilian Portuguese
- Chinese
- Dutch
- English
- French
- German
- Hindi
- Italian
- Spanish
- Thai
- Turkish
For the ThinkQuest Competition, the official language is English and entries must be submitted in English. Translation of the entry into multiple languages is encouraged; however, Judges will evaluate the English language version of the entry.
How do I join ThinkQuest?
To enroll your school in ThinkQuest Projects and the ThinkQuest Competition, visit the
Projects: Enrollment section for instructions. Note that ThinkQuest Projects is not available in all countries; please check the ThinkQuest website for a list of countries where ThinkQuest Projects is available.
To enroll in the ThinkQuest Competition only (without enrolling in ThinkQuest Projects), visit the
Competition section for instructions.
Why is ThinkQuest Projects only available in certain countries?
The Oracle Education Foundation interfaces with the local education authorities in each country to introduce ThinkQuest Projects. By working with the Ministry of Education, ThinkQuest Projects can be implemented in a manner consistent with the goals of local educators. In addition, local partners help provide teacher training and local implementation support.
Note that schools from any country in the world are eligible to participate in the ThinkQuest Competition.
What types of school can join ThinkQuest ?
ThinkQuest Projects: ThinkQuest Projects is available to accredited primary and secondary schools, districts or Local Education Authorities (LEAs), and educational organizations.
ThinkQuest Competition: For eligibility information, please visit the
Competition section.
Can I view ThinkQuest content without a member account?
Content in ThinkQuest Projects is only viewable by members. However, content that is published in the
ThinkQuest Library can be viewed without a member account.
What type of training is offered?
Online Help contains comprehensive resources on how to use ThinkQuest, including
sample lessons and tutorials. Check the
Professional Development section for in-class training opportunities.
What type of software is needed to access ThinkQuest?
Only an Internet browser is required to access ThinkQuest (no other software required). The following browsers are supported:
- Internet Explorer on Windows Operating System: Version 6.0 or higher
- Mozilla Firefox on Windows and Macintosh Operating Systems: Version 2.0 or higher
- Safari on Macintosh Operating System: Version 3.0 or higher
Older versions of supported browsers and other browser software may work with ThinkQuest, but are not supported.
What type of Internet connection is needed to access ThinkQuest?
An individual member can access ThinkQuest using a 56k dial-up modem; however, if uploading images or files, a faster connection may be more efficient. If multiple members are accessing ThinkQuest from the same location (such as a school classroom), a faster connection such as a broadband or T1 link may be required.
Does ThinkQuest use cookies?
Yes. Cookies are small pieces of data that a website sends to a web browser. Websites often use cookies to keep track of individual preferences and evaluate how people use the site. Within ThinkQuest, cookies are also used to authenticate users, helping to maintain the security of the community.
Does ThinkQuest use pop-up windows?
Yes. ThinkQuest uses pop-up windows to open various tools. If your computer or browser uses a pop-up blocker, you will need to disable it or configure it to allow pop-up windows when using ThinkQuest.
Can I access ThinkQuest through a network?
Yes. ThinkQuest can be accessed through a network. If you experience problems using ThinkQuest via a network, check the following:
- Cookies: Does your network allow cookies to be sent to individual browsers? Without cookies, user sessions cannot be established. Contact your local network administrator for assistance.
- IP Addresses: Computers on a network must be able to connect to ThinkQuest with a unique IP address. Each person using ThinkQuest must receive a cookie from us, and ThinkQuest sends the cookie to the IP address of the browser trying to access the website. Contact your local network administrator for assistance.
- Firewalls: Firewalls are special programs that prevent unauthorized access to a computer or network. To access ThinkQuest from a computer protected by a firewall, the firewall must allow ThinkQuest to send cookies to the user's computer. Sometimes a user may enable cookies on their browser, but the firewall for the network overrides these settings and prevents cookies from being received. Contact your local network administrator for assistance.
- Page Caching: Caching (storing web pages) can cause problems when using ThinkQuest, particularly on a network with several users. It is always best to download pages from the website rather than viewing cached pages. If you start seeing the wrong pages when using ThinkQuest, check whether your browser is receiving pages that have been cached on your network, and consult your local network administrator for further assistance.
I am a parent who has questions about my child's use of ThinkQuest. What should I do?
Parents should work with their child's teacher to understand how ThinkQuest is being used within their school. Parents may review their child's work and activities in ThinkQuest by contacting the child's teacher and may request to have their child's account deleted at any time by notifying their child's school. If you need further assistance, please contact us.
Does Oracle offer any other education programs?
Please visit the
Oracle Education Initiatives website.
