1. Visiting the ThinkQuest Libary
What is the ThinkQuest Library?
The ThinkQuest Library is a world-renowned resource for educational
sites and web-based lessons created for students, by students. Thousands of sites are distributed amongst numerous educational categories, and can be accessed by anyone researching a particular subject.
As well as showcasing sites created by students working together, the ThinkQuest Library is intended to be a learning resource for students. The main audience intended for ThinkQuest sites created by students is other students. This means that the educational content of ThinkQuest sites is in a format that is easier for students to use.
How do sites get into the Library?
All sites in the ThinkQuest Library are created by teams of students for the annual ThinkQuest Competition. Sites that complete the Competition are displayed in the ThinkQuest Library.
How do I find sites on a particular subject?
There are two ways to find sites in the Library; either by browsing the Library Categories, or by performing a search.
What are the Library categories and how should I use them?
There are 12 different categories in the ThinkQuest Library; each one a separate educational subject. Each of these categories is divided into a number of sub-categories; each a different aspect of the main subject.
For example, the Science & Technology category includes sub-categories such as Technology, Astronomy and Life Science.
To view the Library categories, go to the ThinkQuest Library home page. Each category is displayed; to view the sub-categories for a category click the name of the category.
Each category page shows the sub-categories for that category. Next to each sub-category is a number - this is the number of ThinkQuest sites in the sub-category. Click the category link to view all sites in the sub-category.
How do I search for sites on a particular subject?
There is a Search the Library tool on every ThinkQuest Library page.
To use the Search tool, enter one or more keywords into the Search field and click the Search button.
The Search tool will check the site description for each site in the Library and display site entries with descriptions that include one or more of the keywords you entered. Click on the title of a site to visit the site.
How do I visit a site?
Each site entry in the Library displays the following information;
- Any awards won by the site in the ThinkQuest Competition.
- The title of the site.
- Short description of the site and its contents.
- A 'More' link which displays a page with information about the creators of the site.
To visit the site, click the site title. This will display the home page for the site you have chosen.
All ThinkQuest sites include a ThinkQuest Banner, which includes links to the Library, FAQs, site information and other information.
Can I find out more about the authors of a site?
All site entries in the Library include a 'More' link. Click on this link to view the About This Site page for the site.
This page includes details of the authors of the site, their location, and what year the site entered the Library.
Can I view all the winning sites from a particular ThinkQuest Competition?
Yes. The Library home page includes a Winners section. This includes links to pages for each Competition year where you can view winning sites for that Competition.
Are there any versions of the ThinkQuest Library in other languages?
Currently the ThinkQuest Library is only in English. Some sites however do have versions of the site in other languages; this will be indicated on the home page for the site.
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2. ThinkQuest Library Content
Can I use ThinkQuest Library content?
The ThinkQuest Library is intended to be a learning resource for students. In this regard there may be times when students, or other Library users, wish to use Library content in their work; for example a project, assignment or class paper.
Whether or not you can use Library content depends on the purpose for which you want to use the content, and also the specific content you want to use. Review the sections below to help you determine if you can use Library content.
Reseach for assignments, class papers, essays or other learning projects
- You are free to use the Library sites for your own personal education or research. No permission or notification is required, but we remind you to cite your sources and include a reference to the ThinkQuest site in your bibliography or any list of resources you compile. You may download, copy and use materials providing that they are for personal and non-commercial use and are not distributed. You may link to the site, and make ThinkQuest one of your bookmarks.
Educators wishing to use materials in the classroom or link to the Library
- We encourage educators and teachers to make use of the resources of the ThinkQuest Library in their classrooms. Teachers may download, copy, or transmit any portion of the material in the web pages of ThinkQuest for informational and non-commercial purposes only. The material may be used in a classroom for teaching or on a school intranet, but not in any publication for profit. See the Terms of Use for more details.
- Educators who wish to link to the ThinkQuest site from their school or classroom site, are asked to complete the Link Notification Form.
Using images, quotes, excerpts or other site material for publication or other commercial purposes
- If you wish to excerpt text or images from a site for commercial use or publication outside the classroom, please review the site for original sources of the material or contact information for the creators of the site. Please contact the original authors of the content or the site for permission.
- Commercial organizations (for example, subscription or membership-based websites) that wish to provide their clients with a link to ThinkQuest sites must complete the Request for Commercial Use Form.
If you have a query regarding the use of any ThinkQuest Library content, please send an email to library@thinkquest.org including details of the content you wish to use and the purpose for its use.
Can I include links to the ThinkQuest Library on my own website?
You may link to any ThinkQuest Library content if the context for the link on your website is for educational, non-profit purposes.
If you are unsure if you should use a link, please complete the Link Notification Form.
Are there downloadable or hard-copy versions of Library sites?
No. We are unable to provide downloadable or hard-copy versions of Library sites.
I have a website I would like to put in the Library. Is this possible?
No, we cannot include any websites that are not submitted into the ThinkQuest Competition.
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3. ThinkQuest Library Site Issues
I am having technical problems with a Library site. What should I do?
Please send an email to library@thinkquest.org. Include the following details;
- The URL of the page where you found the problem.
- A description of the error you encountered.
- The browser and browser version you were using.
We will test the site for you and repair any problems if we can. In some cases we may need to take the site out of the Library for maintenance.
I am trying to visit a Library site but I am informed the site is unavailable. Why is this?
Sometimes we must take a site out of the Library for maintenance. If you want to know when a site will be returned to the Library, send an email to library@thinkquest.org, including the name and URL of the site. We will reply back to you with an estimate (where possible) of when the site will be returned, and update you when the site is back in the Library.
I have found a Library site with inappropriate content. What should I do?
Send an email to library@thinkquest.org, including the name and URL of the site in question. We will immediately take the site out of the Library for review.
Some ThinkQuest sites have content which is inaccurate or incorrect. Why is this?
All ThinkQuest Library sites are included through participation in the ThinkQuest Competition. All sites are created by teams of students.
Whilst we encourage Teams to ensure information on their sites is accurate ( it is part of our Evaluation Criteria ) some sites that are included in the Library may contain mistakes and inaccuracies.
ThinkQuest sites are presented as examples of student collaboration, research and project-based learning, with the intended audience being other students. This should be taken into consideration when viewing ThinkQuest sites.
We do appreciate the importance of accurate information on the internet. If you have a concern about the quality of content on any ThinkQuest site, please contact us at library@thinkquest.org including details of the site and the nature of your concern.
I was a Coach/Team member of a team that submitted a site in a previous Competition. Can we edit our site that is in the Library?
Normally we do not permit the editing of ThinkQuest sites once they have been entered into the Library. ThinkQuest sites represent the efforts of student teams within the context of the Competition.
In exceptional circumstances we may permit the editing of a site (by us on behalf of the team) after it has entered the Library. Please send an email to library@thinkquest.org with details of your team and the edits you want to make, and the reason for requesting the edits.
Please note: We can only review requests for edits to a team's site if we are contacted by the Coach for that team. We cannot review requests from student team members or Assistant Coaches.
Who can I contact if I have a query regarding a Library site?
For any queries regarding the ThinkQuest Library, please send an email to library@thinkquest.org.
Please note: For queries regarding the ThinkQuest Competition, please send an email to support@thinkquest.org.
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