THINKQUEST PARTNERSHIPS: A Success StoryThe
extraordinary impact of the ThinkQuest program is global in both scope and character.
After its pilot year in the United States in 1996, ThinkQuest became an international
activity that has grown to include more than 30,000 students and teachers from over 90
countries.
A large part of this dynamic growth can be attributed to the dedicated and skilled
leadership of the ThinkQuest Partner organizations on every continent.
Each organization provides timely and direct support to students, assisting them as
they complete the requirements for participation in the ThinkQuest programs.
Our Partners distribute ThinkQuest CD-ROM packets, free of charge, to students and
teachers in their respective countries. In addition, when necessary, the Partners
translate the ThinkQuest rules into their native languages and organize workshops for
students and teachers. To further assist their participants, they facilitate Internet
access and offer technical help and other services. Some Partners even recognize their
participants' achievements with awards in addition to those presented by ThinkQuest.
There are currently ThinkQuest National Partners in 42 countries across the continents:
- In Africa, National Partners serve students and teachers in Egypt, Mali, Mauritius
Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Tunisia and Zambia.
- The European National Partners assist participants in Bulgaria, Denmark, France,
Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland and United Kingdom.
- In Asia and Oceania, National Partners promote ThinkQuest in Australia, China, Hong
Kong, India, Israel, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines and
Singapore.
- The National Partners in the Americas support students and teachers in Argentina,
Canada, Chile, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico and Peru.
At a recent working conference held in Tarrytown, New York, National Partners from 20
countries and ThinkQuest staff met to plan their collaborative activities and talk about
ways to reach even more students and teachers throughout the world. With help from our
Partners, we are looking at the possibility of holding next year's TQ 2000 Awards Weekend
for finalists outside the United States. Our two newly established contests - ThinkQuest
Junior and ThinkQuest for Tomorrow's Teacher - are being tailored for international use in
our Partner countries.
ThinkQuest partnerships are also being established domestically, in the United States,
at the state and organization level for similar grass-roots encouragement, support and
access to ThinkQuest programs. Off to a great start, this new initiative has already
achieved significant success with ThinkQuest State Partners in Arizona, Delaware,
Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, New Jersey, North Carolina and Tennessee.
ThinkQuest is also seeking program partnerships with major educational and technology
groups that will bring the benefits of ThinkQuest to students and teachers across
geographic boundaries.
All Partners are non-profit organizations, educational institutions, or
government-related agencies who offer their services at no cost to ThinkQuest
participants. For the most up-to-date list of ThinkQuest Partners and information about
their services, see the Partners page in the ThinkQuest web site at URL http://www.thinkquest.org/about/nat_partners.html.
For information about joining ThinkQuest's worldwide family of Partners, please contact
Dr. Grant Beglarian, Director, ThinkQuest Partnerships, at beglarian@thinkquest.org.
TEAMS IN THE NEWS SPECIAL FEATURE: WOMEN IN SCIENCETwo Memphis
students, and one German student were honored for creating the FIRST International
Registry for Women In Science ever on the internet. The Women In Science team members from
Memphis were honored with a Resolution from Tennessee State Representative Tre' Hargett on
May 24th at Mayor Herenton's office. Representative Tre' Hargett recognized the
accomplishments of the students, began the procedure to honor them, and the Resolutions
were voted on, and passed Feb 2, 1999 by the House of Representatives on behalf the Women
In Science web team. Congratulations!!
Check out their award-winning web site at:
http://library.advanced.org/20117
The Women In Science Web Team has also been recognized by:
* National Science Foundation
* American Association for Women In Science
* Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital
* The Commercial Appeal Newspaper
* Association for Women In Physics
* Association for Women in Chemistry
* Association for Women In Science and Technology
* Tennessee Education Association
* Buckman Laboratories
* Rhodes College
* University of Memphis
* Saint Mary's School for Girls
* Tennessee State House of Representatives
