1. Description of Our Community
Lungtan village is a place where we were born and grown up. People usually come to visit some scenic spot in this place, such as the Shih-Men Dam, the "Window on China (Lilliput)" theme park, or to favor some local products, specialties, such as large carp fish, peanut candy, green tea, etc., but overlook the aquatic vegetation of national treasure class – Nuphar Shimadai Hayata, so-called Taiwan Water Lily. It is a specific species in natural spatterdock family, spreading in most southern part of the world only. Once seen in almost all western swamps of Taiwan, today it inhabits only limited areas in the damp floor of Lungtan and Yanmei, Taoyuan. Rapid industrial development in recent years has dwindled its habitats considerably, and Taiwan Water Lily is now facing a real survival crisis.
We select this meaningful research subject, and hopefully the technical development and natural environment preservation are riding bridle by bridle and in good compatibility in this community. It is also a nice place for people to incline to.
2. Summary of Our Project
Our project entitled "Experiencing the Tranquility of the Taiwan Water Lily and its Precarious Future" was proposed by Eric Chia, one of our team members, and then discussed and determined by vote. The inspiration comes from a book named "Silent Spring" written by Ms. Rachel Louise Carson, 1907-1964, who is one of the pioneers in world environment protection. The word "Tranquility" represents the Taiwan Water Lily stands straight up elegantly in water pond, while "Precarious" by metaphor to be wilt and wither, represents in distress, fatigue of its growth. We suggest, appeal and call out people’s concern and respect with this local natural ecology. In addition, we hope to motivate our country fellows in search of a growth place for Taiwan Water Lily, and visit its original habitats, and keep records during the process of our self cherish and cultivation. Furthermore, by visiting a number of specialists in aquatic vegetation, landlord of the original existing pond, village Head, and participation of our school and community activities, we share and explain our experiences, hopefully awaken people more concern and care the lovely Taiwan Water Lily and acknowledgement of the importance in reservation, not destroying of the nature.
3. Our Computer and Internet Access
A. Percentage of students using the Internet at home:more than 50%
B. Number of workstations with Internet access in the classroom:more than 6
C. Connection speed used in the classroom:dial-up modem
D. Number of years our classroom has been connected to the Internet:2-3
E. Additional comments concerning your computer and/or Internet access (Optional):
Our school computer room consists of more than 40 sets of personal computers, which are interconnected by Local Area Network. We can access the huge Internet world through the Internet Service Provider (ISP) by Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL). Most of our members use their computer equipments at home to access networks by either 56K digital modem link through various network provider or wide band services (ADSL) after school hour.
4. Problems We Had To Overcome
(1) Apportionment of duties Voluntary basis for members to apportion duties in four divisions in this project includes visiting, cultivation, data editing, and creation of web pages. However, most of them are in favor of the fourth division at the very beginning. Kyo Su, our team chief, made the final decision after all.
(2) Tutorship in preparation of web pages As a freshman of middle school, most of our members know not much of website. The basic design and relevant techniques in this regards was provided by INER’s (Institute of Nuclear Energy Research) "Good Neighborhood’s Computer Training Course" in summer vacations. Furthermore, more assistance from Mr. Peir-Jyh Wang and Ms. Mann-Ling Chang, we are able to therefore to create the web pages in network.
(3) Collection of related information Very few information regarding Taiwan Water Lily are available in books, magazines, even from the website. We have been disappointed and worried about whether a wrong subject to be selected? For this, we tried to find the original habitats, visit some specialists, and cultivate by ourselves. Even the photos and poems are all monopolized undertaken by the Young Wave Riders.
(4) Interaction with communities, both care and unite Achieving the objective of "care and unite" is certainly a great challenge to us. We explain and appeal public for the treasure of Lungtan country by means of self-prepared poster, booth arrangement during school thirtieth celebration, Lungtan Herbal Cultural Festival and relevant meetings. In addition, many propagandas were motivated, such as participation of the program "Dialogue Between Land and People" produced by Tzu-Chi TV Station, telephone call-out from the "The E-Generation Moving Ahead" program of the Taipei radio station, and 'People of the Day' report edited by Ms. Shiow-Shan Liao, Taiwan Schools CyberFair 2002.
5. Our Project Sound Bite
The Young Wave Riders were not lonely during the whole process in this research project. Warm calls, deep concern and encourages from schoolmates and family heads were received. All of the motive force pushes us forward. We thank all of you for your kind help and wish more beautiful blossom of the Taiwan Water Lily for people all over the world.
6. How did your activities and research for this CyberFair Project support standards, required coursework and curriculum standards?
Many thanks to our school principal, Ms. Ching-Chu Han, who gives the approval on the nursing pond for the Taiwan Water Lily in front of the school entrance, and establishes an association of "Water Lily" to have a weekly meeting since then. We also thanks to Ms. Feng-Yu Wu, who fully files us with knowledge and experiences in connection with spatterdock and environment protections.
In addition to practice many useful softwares, such as: Word, FrontPage, PhotoImpact, we have advanced our capabilities of document process, search for new sources through different channel, which are fruitful way to realize "Information Education" which is one of the objectives of our school. Four groups in this project were working for different items in research works individually, closely interaction and good communications have been an essence for "Teamwork Cooperation".
The Internet is no limit in time and place, both teaching and learning can be performed whenever we want. Its performance is not comparable for any traditional kind of education, else more, we can search for up to date information, and some best teachers elsewhere. In case, the Internet is as far as you can reach, not only upgrade our capabilities of communication in English but also practice us the valuable experiences on how to find information required.
|