Digital Resources for Teens
Brownell offers a variety of digital resources for teens which you can enjoy from anywhere:
- eBooks, audiobooks, and magazines through Libby
- Streaming media through Kanopy
- Creative tutorials through Craftsy
- Digital Newspapers and Databases with reputable resources for online research projects.
- Gale in Context: Middle School serves as a great starting point for research, presenting trusted information in an easy-to-use format. From there, middle school students can move on to the In Context Biography, History, and Science databases, which offer more information. In addition to its other content, In Context: Science includes over 300 experiments that students can try, and another 300 visual simulations to explore. Students can test how gravity works or how plants respond to light, as well as simulating the acceleration of a skydiver or terminal velocity of an apples.
- In addition to explaining a topic, Gale in Context: High School includes newspaper and magazine articles, audio clips, visuals, and more. From there high school students can move to In Context History and Science, as well as Opposing Viewpoints, which provides grounded info for both sides of contentious social and political issues. They can also make broader searches for popular and academic articles throughout Vermont Online Library. Students can research book banning, homelessness, and artificial intelligence.
- Peterson’s Test and Career Prep is built to help users prepare for standardized tests and explore career options. It offers free test prep and sample tests for the SAT, GRE, AP exams, and more. Users can also explore undergrad programs and tuition assistance. On the career side, Peterson’s allows users to explore careers, work on resumes, and do practice vocational tests.
For more recommendations on media, local events, and information check at the following trusted sources:
- Be Internet Awesome’ with Google's Interland: Embark on a quest to become a confident explorer of the online world.
- Book Riot's Reading Recommendations: Looking for young adult fiction for yourself or to give to the teens in your life? Book Riot's got all the bases (and genres) covered.
- CFR Education: the educational arm of the Council on Foreign Relations, helps middle, high school, and higher education students understand and engage with today’s most pressing global issues. With over 700 free, nonpartisan, multimedia teaching and learning resources, CFR Education’s supplemental materials help students gain the knowledge, skills, and perspective needed to navigate today’s interconnected world.
- Code.org: learn about computer science and artificial intelligence
- Common Sense Media's Best Media for Teens: Hand-picked lists of Common Sense Media's favorite titles in every category of media they cover -- movies, TV, books, music, websites, apps, and games (including learning ratings). Filter by age to find the best recommendations for you.
- Duolingo: Learn a language for free
- Explore.org: COnnect with the natural world while watching animal lovecams.
- Exploratorium: Explore, play, discover: websites, activities, and more to pique your curiosity about STEAM
- Global Oneness Project: Explore the deeper issues facing humanity through immersive storytelling. These award-winning films, photo essays, and essays explore social, cultural, and environmental issues facing people and communities worldwide.
- Khan Academy: Find homework help with videos explaining a variety of concepts.
- Kidsthinkdesign: This website offers resources on various design fields, promotes design thinking, and provides a showcase for original projects.
- Learning Network: Articles, writing prompts, crossword puzzles, multimedia, contests, and student opinion from the New York Times.
- Noflyingnotights: Graphic novel reviews
- Poetry Foundation: Free access to more than 48,000 full-text poems, thousands of author biographies, audio poems, and the complete Poetry magazine archive, featuring both classic and contemporary voices.
- TeenCentral: Share stories and find resources on a variety of issues affecting teens
- Time for Payback: This game is designed to get you thinking about how to succeed in college without taking on too much student loan debt.
- Writing Guide: Purdue University's Online Writing Lab (OWL) offers free writing and citation resources
Learn more about our other Teen Services.
Contact us with questions about youth programs and services at (802) 878-6956 or