School: Cun Shang Elementary School
    Changhua County, N/A - Does Not Apply, Taiwan

6 students, ages 11-12 worked together to complete this CyberFair project on March 10, 2021. They have participated in CyberFair in the following year(s): none

Classes and Teachers: Weng Mu Chia, Lee Hsiao Fang, Huang Chiung Yi

E-Mail contact:

Our School's Web Site: http://

1. Description of Our Community

Central Taiwan covers agricultural cities such as Taichung City, Changhua County and Nantou County. Connected by High Speed Rail, Taiwan Railway and Bus Transfer Station, the living environment is very convenient. There are many agricultural specialties clusters in these areas; therefore, our research project aims to explore local specialties – mushrooms – within central Taiwan.

2. Summary of Our Project

As the proverb goes, “ food is the God of the people”, it goes without saying that diet in our daily lives is of great significance. We are surrounded by various agricultural products, providing us with ingredients to make dishes. Central Taiwan is just where mushrooms are planted, and so there are many mushroom tribes and tourist factories. The purpose of our research is for children to be acquainted with mushrooms, knowing their origins and cultivation process. Through conducting interviews with local experts, they not only get to realize that it is a hard work to cultivate mushrooms, but also get to know more about their hometown specialties, which help to foster their appreciation for food and fervent love for the hometown.

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:2-3

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):

There is one computer classroom in our school. The number of the computers used to complete the research is 30. Smart classrooms, where 75-inch large touchscreens can be seen, were arranged in 2020 for the convenience of teaching. There are optical wireless network launchers in every classroom. One can use wifi internet everywhere on campus.

4. Problems We Had To Overcome

Because the students lack data collecting ability, we divided them in groups and encouraged them to cooperate with others to speed up the information gathering process. Through group discussions, it was easier for teachers to give instructions needed. Besides, the students typed slowly and were unfamiliar with the software, we repeatedly and intensively instruct them software usage and encouraged them to share experiences with others for them to get familiar with it. Regarding typing, we encouraged the students to practice at home and be patient with completing the project. Furthermore, the students were not able to take down the whole information receiving at field visits. Therefore, we asked them to cooperate; some wrote down the information and others took videos and recorded tapes. They could use the tape recordings to increase data accuracy and give a more complete and correct content.

5. Our Project Sound Bite

By participating in School Cyberfair thematic action research, we exerted teamwork spirit. Through field trips, we visited mushroom cultivation experts in central Taiwan, offering the children who obtain information mainly from books and internet a chance to extend their ways of learning, taking a step learning off campus and going on field trips. One step after another, through the visits and interviews, the students broadened their horizons and knew the beauty of our hometown and further learned to cherish foods.

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

The research project is closely related to students’ learning experience for the reasons that they practiced to come up with a title for the project and arrange interview manuscripts, which helped to raise their message aggregation and writing abilities. Gaining a first-hand experience in planting Pink Oyster Mushrooms and Golden Oyster Mushrooms and observe to record the growing process, their scientific practice abilities were reinforced. Through taking photos, editing words on website and making mushrooms related picture books, their ascetic perceptions were cultivated. It fostered their team work cooperation skills by letting them to learn to clearly express their thoughts during interviews and actively participate in activities and discussions. They completed the task together and basked in the accomplishment of research completion together. Behind every progress there were students’ efforts. It is definitely an unforgettable experience for them to have completed the project.

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

The students went on a field trip to gain a better knowledge of mushroom cultivation environment. During the trip, they took photos, recorded and videotaped the process by mobile phones and tablets. Then, they used computers and laptops to arrange and compile the data into files. In the process, they played information on the 75-inch touchscreen and had discussions. At last, they collected other information on online library to enrich their contents.

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

(1) The New Force of Community Culture and Industrial Inheritance: Through participating in the research project, we found that most of the students were pretty keen on exploring surroundings, personally participating and gaining new knowledge about things. Their interests to have a profound exploration into the development history and obstacles of different industries had been aroused, which further spurred the traditional industries heritage and carry it forward.

(2) Learn and Pass On the Spirit of Traditional Industries: Through going on field trips to Mushroom Tribe, Ren He Farm, Almond Mushroom Farm in Puli, we hope to arouse people’s interest in hometown specialties and characteristics, further devoting to promote local characteristic development.

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

After many field trips and much time put in information search, we got to realized that there are an abundant of agricultural industry tribes in Middle Taiwan. Those were things we did not notice before. Therefore, we want to share our acquired knowledge and experience with more out-of-towners through the website, so that they will be encouraged to visit these community spots which will lead to an animation of local tourism industry and tourist attractions. During the field trips and interview, we were enthusiastically treated and that made us feel warm and welcomed.

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

(1) Our school faculty fully supported us: The principal, directors, teachers and parents attentively helped and guided the students during the interview, photos taking and reports writing. They also offered to pick them up. They provided us with great assistances and encouragements. Thanks to them, our project could be completed smoothly. (2) Our appreciation also goes to Mushroom Tribe, Ren He Farm and Mr. Huang Qing Song. They took time out of their busy schedules to kindly answer our questions, give us interviews, offer us relevant information and share valuable knowledge and experiences with us. We benefitted a lot from it.

5) Discoveries, Lessons and Surprises (Optional)

After participating in the research project, we came to a realization that Central Taiwan is an important area which is responsible for agricultural output. We also discovered that there is so much knowledge in a small mushroom. The mushroom experts generously shared their experiences of mushroom cultivation with us, hoping that our local specialties and characteristics could thrive, leading to invigorate local development. We hope that everyone can learn from the experts and carry on their spirits.