School: Li-Chih High School
    Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Republic of China

10 students, ages 16~18 worked together to complete this CyberFair project on March 7, 2016. They have participated in CyberFair in the following year(s): 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

Classes and Teachers: Shih-Hung Lin, Pi-Hua Lu, Wei-Te Lu, Chung-Ying Kao, Shan-Ding Jiang

E-Mail contact:

Our School's Web Site: http://163.32.74.149/199/

1. Description of Our Community

Kaohsiung City is a municipality directly under the jurisdiction of the Central Government in Taiwan. It is located in the southwestern part of the island. The most famous landmark in Kaohsiung is Kaohsiung 85, an 85-story building. It stands for the prosperity and vitality of this beautiful sea-port city. Cheting District, where Master Kuo Chang Shi resides, is one of the 38 districts in Kaohsiung. Its location is in the northern part of the city. The most famous area in Cheting is the Xingda Port for fresh and delicious seafood. Under the planning and expansion by Kaohsiung City Government, Xingda Port has become an attractive tourist spot.

2. Summary of Our Project

“Cutting Knife” is a necessity for every family but usually ignored by most people for how it becomes from a piece of steel to a sharp work. Inherited from his father, Kuo Chang Shi, a 60-year old swordsmith, has been in this business since thirteen. For the past 47 years, he has stood in front of the furnace with temperature up to 1000 degree Celsius day after day with the sound “Bang! Bang! Bang!” to forge the masterpieces such as “The Green Destiny,”” Folding Steel Sword,” and “Gan Jiang and Mo Ye.” That’s the daily routine for the master. He indulges himself into it. Having this enthusiasm, he founded “The Kuo Chang Shi Artistic Weaponry Museum” to display these masterpieces and meanwhile to find someone who can follow his footstep.

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:more than 6

4. Problems We Had To Overcome

The biggest difficulties we faced in doing the project is too much schoolwork that makes us not concentrate on the project. As a result, we need to take advantage of the winter vacation and other spare time in order to turn in the project on time. In additions, finding common time for us to work together is another problem. As you know, we all play different roles in our lives. Therefore, we need to schedule a time which every member considers it suitable to work together. The third problem is that we are still technically insufficient in the area of webpage production to some extent. Although we all have certificates on webpage design, we think that we still have a lot to learn in this field. Thus, make good use of after-school time to ask teachers for further skills in designing webpage.

5. Our Project Sound Bite

Our project does sound bite because most people, no matter where they are, will be fascinated by the works of sword. Although swords were used at war in ancient times, they have become art works in many museums all over the world. Many blacksmiths gradually disappeared due to the new technology of making knives. But Master Kuo Chang Shi insists on continuing this skill for many generations to come. This is the spirit that we should learn from Master Kuo. With his dedication and perseverance to his works, we should let the whole world know that there is such a unsung hero in Taiwan.

6. How did your activities and research for this CyberFair Project support standards, required coursework and curriculum standards?

The part we learn most about is how to design webpage and put into practice. Besides, another thing we are proud is the richness of culture in Kaohsiung City. Kaohsiung is really a city full of surprises. For some of us, before we devoted ourselves to this project, we never knew that there is such a world-class sowrdsmith in the community. After our teachers explained the origins of this project and the techniques we can apply, we really had a blast.

1) What information tools & technologies did you used to complete your CyberFair project?

Hardware:

Digital Camera Uses:It is convenient to upload digital pictures, and it even contains filming functions.

Desktop Computer Uses:Searching for information online, designing websites.

Printer Uses:Print out data.

Scanner Uses:Scanning the collected pictures.

Cd Burner Uses:Organize information, data backup.

Flash Drive Uses:Convenient for us to store data and to carry around.

Cellphone Uses:Assign the jobs of every member through the phone.

Software:

Frontpage Uses:Designing the web

Photoimpact Uses:Creating the pictures needed for the web

Macromedia Flash 8 Uses: Animation making

Microsoft Word Uses:Writing the details of the web, designing structures

ACDSee 5.0 Uses:Viewing the videos filmed

Internet Explorer Uses:Browser for searching data online.

Others:

Notebook Uses:Recording the details of our interview

Live Interview Uses:Arriving at Master Kuo's house and learned the trials and hardships of the swordsmith, also learned more about iron forging

2) In what ways did you act as "ambassadors" and spokespersons for your CyberFair project both on-line and in person.

In the ancient Chinese history, Gan Jiang and Mo Ye are two masters of forging swords. Master Kuo, deep inside his heart, follows their footsteps to be the modern swordsmith. As a part of this great city, we surely want to glorify Master Kuo to other part of this world. Master Kuo always said ' I want to pass the torch to future generation.' That's why he founded a workshop at home to teach this art to others.During the interview, we realized that it takes time and effort to forge a sword. That is not an easy task. This also encouraged us that it is worth doing this project to let more people know Master Kuo as a person and his beautiful works. We definitely take pride in speaking on Master Kuo's behalf.

3) What has been the impact of your project on your community?

The impact we can bring to the community is to transmit Master Kuo's works more visible to the people in Kaohsiung. As we mentioned before, though Master Kuo has been very famous in Taiwan and even around the globe, there are still many people not knowing his works and matters. After our interview with Master Kuo, we felt very burdensome because we are so lucky to talk to him in person and compared with him we are like small pebble as to big rock of Master Kuo. Through webpage, more people are accessible to his story and masterpieces.

4) How did your project involve other members of your community as helpers and volunteers?

The helper we need to thank is one of Master Kuo's students. He is a very modest gentleman who doesn't want his name to be publicized. Via his introduction to the Master, we learned more about his anecdote and works. That gentleman even generously drive us to Master Kuo's workshop. The only thing Mr. X wants for return is to let more epople know about Mr.Kuo. That is such a great thought and deed. Throughout the interview, Mr. X explained everything to us like a clear crystal. Mr. X surely know about the power of Internet. We are very happy and grateful to illustrate Master Kuo with pictures and scripts.

5) Discoveries, Lessons and Surprises (Optional)

Thanks to this research project, every member of the team really appreciates the meaning of teamwork and division of labor. The leader of the team thinks that a team is like a house building. Any little falloff will lead to the collapse of the house. Only through working together will the team achieve success. Though members had conflicts with each other in the process, we therefore cherish every moment and excel ourselves. After the interview with the Master, we all felt that there are many things to accomplish at different stages of our lives. Since we talked to the Master, we have gradually developed interests in this field. That is something we never felt before in our lives. We really thanked the Master for talking to him and teachers for their guidance in this project with their sacrifices and dedications.