Yelp.com has become an invaluable resource for adults across the United States searching for their next memorable meal, or painless dentist appointment. Users write reviews and give establishments ratings on a one to five-star scale.

Children, however, have a hard time accessing Yelp because their criteria for a "five star" location are absolutely different from someone 30 years older than they are!

Adults might love it, but kids might not!

Building a student-created database creates a community for children to have that conversation with one another. It also provides an authentic way for students to write, publish, and interact with one another in a 21st century style.

The bottom line:

Students who contribute feel invested and a sense of ownership in the database. They want to write well, so other people will take them seriously.  They feel proud that their reviews will help a fellow young person or adult make a decision about where to go next!