Progress of 26 female students aged 10 to 13 participating in 4 database-oriented activities--library research, database construction, information retrieval, and writing--was monitored through student worksheets, researcher and student logs, audio/videotapes, questionnaires, and tests. Improvement of cognitive and metacognitive skills including summarizing/categorizing information, formulating/testing hypotheses, and evaluating cognitive processes was observed. Sample worksheets are appended. (MES)