School: Kang Chiao International School Qingshan Campus
    New Taipei City, Taipei, Taiwan

10 students, ages 11-12 worked together to complete this CyberFair project on March 19, 2019. They have participated in CyberFair in the following year(s): 2017, 2018, 2019

Classes and Teachers: Yousyuan Chen, Jie-Sz Tsai, Yungpei Wang

E-Mail contact:

Our School's Web Site: http://www.kcis.ntpc.edu.tw/

1. Description of Our Community

Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, is located in the north of Taiwan. It is close to New Taipei City and Keelung City. It is one of the most prosperous cities in Taiwan. The industry and commerce are flourishing in Taipei. The rapid development of economy makes more people want to move and live around this area. Hence, the population has grown to 7 millions till now. Although Taipei is a highly developed city, there are still some outdated places which is so dirty that one can never imagine. The technology development might be worth paying attention, but concerning about the disadvantaged living in those outdated areas should be prior to anything else. Caring the disadvantaged can even shorten the gaps between haves and have-nots. Therefore, this year, we pay more attention on one of the poor communities in the middle of Taipei, Nanjichang. Nanjichang which is located in Wanhua District is very close to the city center. The Taipei Main Station in Wanhua District is an interjuction of MRT, high-speed rail, and other railways which is in sharp contrast to Nanjichang. Nanjichang has the highest proportion of elders and low-income households comparing to other districts. Although there has been some progress, people over there still need our help. Through this project, we hope there will be more people face up to the problems of Nanjichang and willing to support the community. Eventually, we hope Nanjichang can become what it was like before.

2. Summary of Our Project

Located in Wanhua District, Nanjichang Community was constructed and completed in 1963 which has been 56 years. There has been a lot of changes throughout those years, and it is now managed by the borough chief of Zhongcin Village, Fang Ho-sheng. The purpose of building Nanjichang Community was to attract more people living in Wanhua, Taipei. The well-served facilities in those years also caught people’s eyes. However, when the maintenance was neglected and other districts were developing, Nanjichang Community was faded out. Recently, through the management of the borough chief, Fang Ho-sheng, the community has gradually become more peaceful and friendly. With the research data, video, field-observation study, interview, etc, this project will present a thorough study of Nanjichang, the history in those 56 years, the difficulties the community has been through, the story of the latest borough chief, Fang Ho-sheng, and his management system. The volunteer experience also provided a chance to explore how the community system exactly works. From the historical data, field-observation study and voluntary service, the project will reveal what Nanjichang has experienced.

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:dedicated connection

D. Number of years our classroom has been connected to the Internet:more than 6

E. Additional comments concerning your computer and/or Internet access (Optional):

Currently, our school provides us with an adequate e-learning environment. Not only do we have two well-equipped computer labs available for our use, but each teacher is also provided with a desktop computer for his or her personal use. In addition, there is Wi-Fi throughout the entire school. All the sixth-and-fifth grade participants of CyberFair this time are enrolled in our e-learning classes at school in which the classroom instruction, homework, and projects are all done with the use of a Chromebook. In terms of our Internet accessibility, we can use the wireless Internet within our school campus with ease. We can access and store our work in the school-wide server. We can also use the Internet to conduct our research as well as share our work and finding with our teammates.

4. Problems We Had To Overcome

1. Collecting and organizing firsthand and secondhand information We can find information about the borough chief, Fang Ho-sheng, on the internet easily. Thus, analyzing the reliability of the data was quite important and difficult. Aside from that, we needed to know clearly what we wanted to present or else our project would lose focus. That’s also why we organized our thoughts collaboratively on the mindmap. 2. Field-observation study We read through the resources about the topic, and listed some questions we were interested. Before interview the borough chief, we practiced asking the questions in mock interviews. We even asked help from the Office of Academic Affair and teacher from Information Technology Department to take photos, record, film for us in order to get the firsthand information throughout the activity. The recording also benefited us a lot in this project. 3. Solving the problem of transportation In order not to affect our learning at school, the activities related to this project usually took place during our club time. Thanks to the teachers, we successfully arranged a school bus to interview the borough chief and complete the volunteering activity. 4. Volunteer activities As a borough chief, Fang Ho-sheng has started offers diversified services. However, not every volunteering activity is appropriate for children. Therefore, we were especially thankful for the borough chief’s understanding about our difficulties and how strong our desire to help the people in the community. When we visited him, he introduced his daily routine and responsibilities as a borough chief. He also involved us to some of the services. 5.Teamwork CyberFair is a project-based competition that requires teamwork. With our teacher’s help and guidance, we were able to continuously refine our project framework so that all the work was divided among us. As a result, everyone had a better understanding of his or her own role and responsibility in this project.

5. Our Project Sound Bite

The greatest satisfaction comes from satisfying the needs of others.

Nanjichang was a mess in the past few years. Trash was on the street, and the people lived in Nanjichang were all living in poverty. They are still old and poor, and they still need lots of help. However, with the effort the borough chief has made, Nanjichang has gradually turn into a lovely place. The satisfying smiles from the people in the community are what make the borough chief’s life worth living.

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

1.Language: visit, interview, write about the special topics, and write about our opinions 2.Social studies: plan the research, create the project framework, design the interview questions and the survey, and organize the interview transcripts 3.Integrated activities:integrate the information and data from the interview, survey, online and printed research, and others to complete the project 4.Computer science: research, web design 5.Independent study:learn the research skills, such as brainstorming, mindmap, survey design, interview skills, organizing data and information, and many others

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

Phone, e-mails: We invited the people we wanted visit and collect data from through phones and e-mails. The Internet: We used the Internet as a second reference to collect our information. In addition, we used the Internet to download and upload files for sharing of personal reflections or other data. DV, voice recording pen: We used DV recorders and voice recording pens to record videos from our visits and make transcripts of the conversations from our visits. Chromebook: We used Chromebooks to send e-mails, arrange pictures, articles, and data. Then, we compiled them into Web pages.We also made short clips to document the highlight of our visits. Digital cameras: We used digital cameras to record videos of our visit, interviews, and field observations. Computer software: We used different types of computer software, such as Google Drive, Google Doc. Coggle, Mindmup 2.0, etc.

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

1. To learn more about the Nanjichang Community we visited and interviewed the borough chief, Fang Ho-sheng. 2. To understand how the voluntary services work, we volunteered to pack the expiring bread and arrange it into the community fridge. 3, We collected online resources and organized interview data in order to provide a thorough report. We sincerely hope that our website can be informative, and it can attract more people to be interested in our topic.

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

1. Interview: We interviewed the borough chief, which allowed us to learn more about the Nanjichang Community, the objects of voluntary services and Borough Chief Fang Ho-sheng’s life and plan. 2. Field Observation: We went to Nanjichang to observe the community and understand the benefits of the voluntary services. We could also see the borough chief’s effort in creating a friendly and supportive community. 3. Thinking creatively: Borough Chief Fang Ho-sheng always thinks outside of the box even he has less resources, From this project, we learned how Fang Ho-sheng involves bakeries and supermarket to give back to community. It is only when we begin to think differently that we start to think creatively. 4. Lifelong Learning: Nanjichang was surrounded with trash and homeless. Elders and low-income residents live their lives hopelessly. However, the borough chief didn’t give them up. He continued to influence them with his selfless love and passion, and sacrificed his personal life, which eventually led to the well-being of the residents.

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

1. Borough Chief Fang Ho-sheng: Mr. Fang accepted our request for the interview and shared with us his life stories and objectives in his term of office. 2. Ms. Chen: Ms. Chen explained to us what the Nanjichang Community was like and the benefits of the voluntary services. She also helped us arrange the time of the school bus to go to our field observation sites. 3. Ms. Tsai: Ms. Tsai gave us a tour of the Nanjichang Community. 4. The volunteers: the volunteers gave us the opportunity to understand the tasks of the voluntary services and arrange a one-day volunteering activity for us. 5. Ms. Wang: Ms. Wang assisted us in recording videos and take pictures of the field observation.

5) Discoveries, Lessons and Surprises (Optional)

As Isabel Allende said, “We only have what we give.” This is not only Isabel Allende’s quote of life, but also the borough chief of the Nanjichang Community, Mr. Fang’s belief. It is also because of this belief that makes him able to confront the challenges of changing the lives of the disadvantaged. It is also because of this belief that makes the Nanjichang Community stronger. Perhaps, we are less competitive economically, but the Taiwanese hospitality is well-known all over the world. With Mr. Fang’s effort, people in the community are benefited by the Food Plant Community Fridge and other voluntary services. Mr. Fang believes ”it’s more blessed to give than to receive.” He hopes that there will be more people agree with him and willing to help. That shall also be the time that makes Taiwan shine among the world.