Tools for Organizing: Databases    Before trying a database activity with students, it's critical that you preselect useful information resources and try out the categories that you have in mind.   Explore the following good data starting points and think about whether suggested categories would work. What categories could be added or modified? Create one record of data in a word processor or start a database as an example.

Do It! Create a Database

Create a database file in Microsoft Access or AppleWorks: Discuss a research topic and questions. Brainstorm categories for your topic. Enter the categories. Enter sample data for five records. Try a search using a sample research question. Share and discuss your progress. Complete the database Analyze the results. Draw conclusions. Explore Internet resources that contain useful information for developing database projects. Starting Point: http://nilesonline.com/data/ Immigration Stats: http://www.ins.usdoj.gov/stats FAA: http://nasdac.faa.gov/internet Food Safety: http://www.foodsafety.org Earthquakes: http://smdb.crustal.ucsb.edu Find a Grave: http://findagrave.com Sea Temperatures: http://dcz.gso.uri.edu/auhrr-archive/archive.html Bach: http://www.jsbach.org Ecology: http://alienexplorer.com/ecology/Ecology.html Classics: http://classics.mit.edu Countries: http://www.un.org/pubs/CyberSchoolBus/Infonation/e-infonation.htm History: http://www.hyperhistory.com Animals: http://www.lpzoo.com/animals/mammals/mammalist.html Quotes: http://www.bemorecreative.com/ News: http://cnn.com Weather: http://weather.com