Learning Centers (Libraries)
Welcome to the ACST Learning Centers
Flex Lab
Makerspace
The Elementary Makerspace is a creative, hands-on learning environment designed for young students to explore, build, and invent. It is a flexible classroom with tools and materials like craft supplies, recycled objects, simple electronics, LEGO, and age-appropriate tech (e.g., tablets, coding toys, and robots). Our goal is to foster curiosity, problem-solving, and collaboration through open-ended projects and challenges. After-school activities include robotics and programming in this space
Libraries
Reading Rooms
SLC
The Secondary Learning Center is an active library and production space with an open-door policy. We believe that information literacy and research strategies are best taught within the context of the class assignment. The library team assists teachers and students with reference needs from planning technology use to class projects to research needs.
Our vision is to promote an appreciation of reading and ensure that all students acquire the information literacy skills needed to become empathetic, critically thinking global citizens.
Please stop by! Our (SLC) offers students, staff and parents resources and space to learn, read, explore, relax, and be inspired.
- Discover a Book
- Research Databases
- Educational Tools & Resources
- Online Resources
- Extended Essay & Senior Project Files
- Additional Information
- The ACST Learner
Discover a Book
Search out library catalog
To access the DESTINY book catalog from home, please go to CLASS LINK and then click on Secondary School DESTINY and in the upper right hand corner, log in with your student Google account.
Find a ebook online
Research Databases
- Multi-Subject Resources
- Science & Technology
- Education & Pedagogy
- Business, Economics & Law
- Medicine & Health Sciences
- Arts, Literature, & Humanities
- General Reference & Statistics
Multi-Subject Resources
Purchased through ACST. JSTOR provides access to more than 12 million journal articles, books, images, and primary sources in 75 disciplines.
CORE is a free, open-access database that aggregates millions of research papers from repositories and journals worldwide. It serves as a comprehensive resource for discovering academic content across disciplines, offering full-text access to research in a variety of fields.
A multidisciplinary search engine, JURN provides links to various scholarly websites, articles, and journals that are free to access or OA. Covering the fields of the arts, humanities, business, law, nature, science, and medicine, JURN has indexed almost 5,000 repositories to help you find exactly what you're looking for.
Paperity boasts its status as the "first multidisciplinary aggregator of OA journals and papers." Their focus is on helping you avoid paywalls while connecting you to authoritative research.
The Bielefeld University Library operates the Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (BASE) in Germany and offers more than 240 million documents from more than 8,000 sources. Sixty percent of its content is OA so you can filter your search accordingly.
The Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) is a free online resource that provides access to thousands of peer-reviewed, open-access journals across all subjects.
Science & Technology
Semantic Scholar is a user-friendly tool designed for both research and discovery. Powered by artificial intelligence, it helps you quickly sift through millions of science-related papers, providing relevant results based on your search terms.
ScienceDirect is a leading platform offering access to millions of peer-reviewed articles, primarily in the fields of science, technology, and medicine. It provides trusted research and academic papers for students, teachers, and professionals.
ScienceOpen is a freely accessible research platform that provides open access to millions of academic articles across various fields of science, technology, and medicine. It allows students and researchers to discover, share, and review research from trusted sources.
PubMed is a free online database that offers access to millions of biomedical and life sciences research articles. It is a trusted resource for students, researchers, and healthcare professionals seeking high-quality information on health, medicine, and related fields.
BioMed Central is a publisher that provides free access to peer-reviewed research articles in medicine, biology, and health sciences. It supports open access, allowing students and researchers to explore the latest scientific findings.
IEEE Xplore is a digital library offering access to a vast collection of scientific and technical content in electrical engineering, computer science, and related fields. It provides students and professionals with peer-reviewed articles, conference papers, and standards from around the world.
Education & Pedagogy
Business, Economics & Law
EconBiz is a great resource for economic and business studies. A service of the Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, it offers access to full texts online, with the option of searching for OA material only. Their literature search is performed across multiple international databases.
Medicine & Health Sciences
PubMed is a free online database that offers access to millions of biomedical and life sciences research articles. It is a trusted resource for students, researchers, and healthcare professionals seeking high-quality information on health, medicine, and related fields.
BioMed Central is a publisher that provides free access to peer-reviewed research articles in medicine, biology, and health sciences. It supports open access, allowing students and researchers to explore the latest scientific findings.
ScienceDirect is a leading platform offering access to millions of peer-reviewed articles, primarily in the fields of science, technology, and medicine. It provides trusted research and academic papers for students, teachers, and professionals.
ScienceOpen is a freely accessible research platform that provides open access to millions of academic articles across various fields of science, technology, and medicine. It allows students and researchers to discover, share, and review research from trusted sources.
Arts, Literature, & Humanities
Purchased through ACST. JSTOR provides access to more than 12 million journal articles, books, images, and primary sources in 75 disciplines.
CORE is a free, open-access database that aggregates millions of research papers from repositories and journals worldwide. It serves as a comprehensive resource for discovering academic content across disciplines, offering full-text access to research in a variety of fields.
A multidisciplinary search engine, JURN provides links to various scholarly websites, articles, and journals that are free to access or OA. Covering the fields of the arts, humanities, business, law, nature, science, and medicine, JURN has indexed almost 5,000 repositories to help you find exactly what you're looking for.
The Bielefeld University Library operates the Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (BASE) in Germany and offers more than 240 million documents from more than 8,000 sources. Sixty percent of its content is OA so you can filter your search accordingly.
Paperity boasts its status as the "first multidisciplinary aggregator of OA journals and papers." Their focus is on helping you avoid paywalls while connecting you to authoritative research.
General Reference & Statistics
- Archive.org
- CIA World Factbook
- Digital Public Library of America
- Eurostat: European Commission
- Library of Congress
- Merriam-Webster Visual Dictionary
- National Statistical Offices (worldwide)
- Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life
- United Nations Statistics Division
- World Health Organization (WHOSIS)
- Foundation for Economic Education
Educational Tools & Resources
Academic Resources
Citation Tools & Guides
NoodleTools offers a free platform designed to help students with research and citation management. It provides tools for creating citations in various styles, organizing research notes, and building bibliographies, all in a user-friendly format. This resource is particularly useful for students looking to streamline their writing process and ensure proper citation practices.
ZoteroBib is a free online tool that helps users easily create citations and bibliographies in various styles, such as APA, MLA, and Chicago. It allows you to quickly generate references by entering URLs or other citation details, making it ideal for students and researchers working on academic projects. ZoteroBib also saves your citations for future use, streamlining the research process.
The Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) is a comprehensive resource for students and educators that offers detailed guidance on writing, research, and citation practices. It provides instructional materials on various topics, including grammar, style guides, and formatting, along with resources for proper citation in multiple formats such as APA, MLA, and Chicago. The site is widely used to support academic writing and improve writing skills.
Current News
The Day is an educational news platform that provides articles, lesson plans, and resources designed to engage students with current events. It focuses on making news accessible and relevant for learners, encouraging critical thinking and discussion. The platform offers a range of topics, helping educators incorporate real-world issues into their teaching.
Username: ACSTuser
Password: ACST2021
The New York Times is a leading news organization providing comprehensive coverage of national and international events, politics, business, technology, culture, and more. Its robust reporting, analysis, and opinion pieces make it a valuable resource for students and educators looking to engage with current affairs and enhance their understanding of various topics. The website also features educational resources and tools to help readers critically analyze news stories.
For paid content, set up your account using your school email account.
The Economist is a globally recognized weekly publication that provides in-depth analysis and commentary on international news, politics, economics, business, science, and technology. Known for its rigorous journalism and insightful reporting, it offers readers a comprehensive understanding of complex issues and trends shaping the world. The publication also features special reports and articles tailored for educators and students, making it a valuable resource for academic research and discussions.
Username: library@acst.net
Password: falcons1
Scientific American is a prestigious magazine that publishes articles on a wide range of topics in science, technology, and health. It provides in-depth analysis, research findings, and commentary from experts in various fields, making it a valuable resource for students, educators, and science enthusiasts. The publication aims to communicate complex scientific concepts in an accessible manner, fostering a greater understanding of current scientific advancements and their implications for society.
Username: library@acst.net
Password: falcons1
The Atlantic is a respected publication that offers in-depth reporting and analysis on a variety of global issues, including politics, culture, technology, and current events. The World section features articles that provide insight into international affairs and their implications for society, helping readers understand the complexities of global dynamics. With contributions from experienced journalists and experts, The Atlantic aims to engage and inform its audience on critical topics.
Username: library@acst.net
Password: falcons1
The Financial Times (FT) is a leading global business news organization that provides in-depth coverage and analysis of economic, financial, and political developments. Renowned for its reliable reporting and expert commentary, the FT offers valuable insights into market trends, international trade, and global economics, making it an essential resource for students, educators, and professionals interested in understanding the complexities of the financial world.
Set up an account using your school email.
Online Resources
Extended Essay & Senior Project Files
Guides and Templates
- The EE Guide
- Ethical Guidelines for EE Research and Fieldwork
- Academic Honesty Policy EE Guide
- IB Extended Essay Informantion Booklet
- EE Preparation Timeline
- EE Scavenger Hunt Activity
- Research Question Activity
- EE Proposal
- Title Page and Table of Contents
- Outline for an Analytical Essay Exemplar
- Outline for an Investigative Essay Exemplar
- List of Verbs for Citations
- Visual Arts Students EE Advice
- EE Checklist
The EE Guide
Ethical Guidelines for EE Research and Fieldwork
Academic Honesty Policy EE Guide
IB Extended Essay Informantion Booklet
EE Preparation Timeline
EE Scavenger Hunt Activity
Research Question Activity
EE Proposal
Title Page and Table of Contents
Outline for an Analytical Essay Exemplar
Outline for an Investigative Essay Exemplar
List of Verbs for Citations
Visual Arts Students EE Advice
EE Checklist
Graphic Organizers
Senior Projects Files
Turnitin Login Info
Additional Information
The Secondary Learning Center (SLC), consists of a Library, Studio, iLab and Reading room. These spaces and resources are available to secondary students, and all teachers, support staff, and parents. The ELC is a place where students can come to work on projects, practice their technology skills, research topics of interest, as well as find a comfortable spot to curl up with a book. We want each student to see themselves as a reader and to develop a passion for literature, research and learning.
Throughout the secondary years, our goal is to support ACST students as they develop and strengthen the values, attitudes, knowledge, and skills needed to continue as lifelong learners during their time here at ACST and beyond.
The ACST Learner
Reads widely for information and to pursue personal interests
Uses inquiry and critical thinking skills to acquire, analyze and evaluate information
Uses information to create, share and inform
Seeks multiple perspectives
Reflects on their learning to celebrate success and to identify areas to improve
Uses information and resources ethically.
ELC
Our Elementary Learning Center (ELC) offer students, staff and parents resources and space to learn, read, explore, and relax. On this page, you will find all the links to our research resources with the login details.
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ELC STAFF Jen Van Ness, MLS Elementary Learning Center Hours |
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Research Resources
Online Resources
The Elementary Learning Center (ELC), consists of a Library, Studio, iLab and Reading room. These spaces are available to the elementary community to support the classroom curriculum as well as providing many opportunities for integration across the core subject areas. The ELC is a place where students can come to work on projects, practice their technology skills, research topics of interest, as well as find a comfortable spot to curl up with a book. We want each student to see themselves as a reader and to develop a passion for literature and learning.
Throughout the elementary years, our goal is to support ACST students as they develop and strengthen the values, attitudes, knowledge, and skills needed to continue as lifelong learners during their time here at ACST and beyond.
The ACST Learner
Reads widely for information and pursues personal interests.
Uses inquiry and critical thinking skills to acquire, analyze and evaluate.
Uses information to create, share and inform.
Seeks multiple perspectives and shares their learning and ideas with others.
Reflects on their learning to celebrate success, and to identify areas to improve.
Uses information and resources ethically.
Ignite Curiosity, Fuel Learning
ACST’s Learning Centers offer dynamic spaces designed to inspire exploration and creativity. These hubs encourage students to take charge of their learning, sparking curiosity and collaboration at every turn.
