Why is the Oracle Education Foundation transitioning ThinkQuest?
When Oracle first released Think.com (the predecessor of ThinkQuest) in 1998, few technology solutions were available to schools. This is no longer the case. In fact, numerous free and low-cost technologies are now being used by educators worldwide. Oracle and the Oracle Education Foundation are pleased to see this change and believe now is the right time to sunset ThinkQuest.
How will the Oracle Education Foundation manage the ThinkQuest transition?
As the Oracle Education Foundation transitions ThinkQuest (TQ), it will:
- Complete the 2012 TQ Competition as planned.
- Support TQ Projects and the TQ Library through June 2013.
- Honor all existing teacher training commitments.
- Refer schools, upon their request, to platforms and competitions that are similar to ThinkQuest. (If you would like to take advantage of this service, please send an email to
support@thinkquest.org.)
- Enable teachers and students to use an online tool to download their ThinkQuest projects.
- Provide 24 x 7 email support for teachers and administrators.
- Uphold child safety practices and COPPA certification.
How and when can I download my projects from ThinkQuest?
You can download your projects from ThinkQuest at any time using this
online tool.
How do I request a referral to a platform or competition similar to ThinkQuest?
Please send an email to
support@thinkquest.org.
Will the Oracle Education Foundation and/or Oracle deliver a technology competition after 2013?
Yes, Oracle will host a Java competition, the details of which will be announced in late 2012.
Will the Oracle Education Foundation and/or Oracle support education moving forward?
Yes, Oracle’s commitment to education remains as strong as ever. Since 1993, Oracle has worked to advance education with state-of-the-art technology programs that prepare students for life and work in the 21st century.
Few subjects will open as many doors for students in the 21st century as computer science and engineering and there is a growing need for teacher training and student education in these areas. As the steward of Java and with technologies that are #1 in more than 50 product or industry categories, Oracle is uniquely positioned to help educators awaken and deepen students’ interest in computer science/engineering.
Moving forward, how will the Oracle Education Foundation and/or Oracle support schools and 21st century skills development?
- Oracle will expand the Oracle Academy, which currently supports 1.5 million students in 95 countries, with more services for schools and a new Java offering for hundreds of thousands of students.
- Oracle will award grants in support of computer science education.
Will the Oracle Education Foundation and/or Oracle continue to support project-based learning?
Yes, the Oracle Academy curriculum will continue to include project-based learning activities. For example, Oracle’s database students are required to develop a data model for a database that might be used by a school or business and Oracle’s Java students will be required to develop an actual Java application.
Will the Oracle Education Foundation and/or Oracle continue to offer programs for lower secondary schools?
Yes. Oracle will make available 1-day teacher training events on Alice and Greenfoot. Alice is already quite popular worldwide. It is designed for ages 10-22, which means that it can be introduced into:
- The middle or lower secondary school curriculum;
- after-school programs; and
- holiday workshops and camps for students of various ages.
