There are more than 4.8 million patents in the U.S. Patents File. It is the most comprehensive collection of technological information in the world. By their nature, patents are "teaching" documents, and are used as a source of basic information, as a vehicle for teaching critical and creative thinking, and in many school "invention programs." This guide provides information about patents and important resources available to educators and others interested in exploring actual and potential uses of patents. Chapter 1 gives a brief background on patents. Chapter 2 lists inductees into the National Inventors Hall of Fame, recipients of the Inventor of the Year Award, and information on student competitions. Chapter 3 gives information on organizations that can help educators and students learn more about patents. Chapter 4 provides information on finding and using patents. Chapter 5 gives statistics on patent activity in the United States. Chapter 6 presents three selected bibliographies of sources: books about inventions and inventors; books about patents and trademarks; and books and articles about thinking. Appendices contain a sample patent and sample trademarks. An index is included. (AS)