CyberFair Project ID: 8694

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International Schools CyberFair Project Narrative
Title: The Guardian of Taiwanese Historic Sites -- Prof. Li Chien-Lang
Category: 1. Local Leaders
URL: http://cyber.fhjh.tp.edu.tw/~max/2023en/index.htm
Bibliography: http://cyber.fhjh.tp.edu.tw/~max/2023en/bibliography.html

School: Taipei Fuhsing Private School (JH)
    Taipei, Taiwan, ROC

6 students, ages 13-15 worked together to complete this CyberFair project on February 28, 2023. They have participated in CyberFair in the following year(s): 2014,2015,2016,2017,2018,2019,2020,2021,2022

Classes and Teachers: Mr. Hsien Ping Lin

E-Mail contact:

Our School's Web Site: http://www.fhjh.tp.edu.tw

Project Overview

1. Description of Our Community

Taiwan is located on the southeastern coast of the Asian continent and is a regional transportation hub in East Asia. Through the aboriginal period, the Dutch colonization, the Ming dynasty, the Qing dynasty, the Japanese rule, and the post-war period, Taiwan has shown the characteristics of ethnic integration. Taiwan's architecture also combines Eastern and Western cultures with diverse styles. Professor Li Chien-Lang, an ancient architecture enthusiast, who has been the guardian of Taiwanese historic sites for decades. He has been actively involved in the study of traditional Taiwanese architecture, the preservation of cultural assets, and the restoration of historic sites, advocating the cultural assets preservation movement, and promoting the art of traditional Taiwanese architecture. Under Professor Li's guidance, we went on trips to investigate historic sites including Fort Santo Domingo and Yinshan Temple in Tamsui, Chen De-Xing Hall, Dalongdong Bao’an Temple, Confucius Temple, and Taipei City Gates to gain a deeper understanding of Taiwan's traditional architecture. Through on-site investigation of these representative historic sites and buildings, we can understand the history of Taiwan from the past to the present and develop a deeper connection and affection for the land. From Professor Li’s story, we can reflect on how to unite as a member of this land to protect the history carried by traditional buildings, treat them well, and create a deeper bond with the local land. We also realize that preserving these precious cultural assets ourselves is not enough. Still, we have to combine the strength of all people to create a pluralistic community and achieve the goal of a friendly environment.

2. Summary of Our Project

This project revolves around Professor Li Chien-Lang, an ancient architecture enthusiast. It illustrates Professor Li's contribution to the study of historic sites and the preservation and promotion of cultural assets from different aspects. The research framework includes an introduction to historic site scouting, including the process of enlightenment, related writings, chronology, and maintenance and examination of traditional architecture; deconstruction of six categories of classic ancient buildings from the viewpoint of hand-drawn drawings; research and investigation utilizing on-site visits to historic sites and buildings, interviews with people and questionnaires; participation in various activities and experiences, such as visits to special exhibitions of hand-drawn diagrams, lessons in perspective drawing and tours of historic sites, and planning campus outreach activities. Finally, we will set up a website to present the complete research results so that the world can see Taiwan's efforts in preserving historic sites and buildings. We hope that through this project, echoing the theme of the 2023 Expo: Be Kind & Unite, we can systematically share and pass on Professor Li's knowledge and experience in the study, preservation, and promotion of historic sites, to broaden everyone's knowledge and vision of such sites and further develop a closer connection and sense of identity with the land where they grew up.

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):

Network Environment Our school has a computer classroom, and each computer is connected to the Taipei City Education Network Center through a fiber optic network. Most of the time, we spend our time discussing, searching, and printing information. Our partner's home network environment: fiber optic internet / ADSL / cable. We use Gmail and Line (a messenger app) to transfer files for research data sharing and consolidation, use USB flash drives to handle data at school or home, or use cell phone video chats to discuss related content. We communicated and shared data via cell phone/tablet/computer/USB flash drive at any time.

4. Problems We Had To Overcome

At the beginning, 'historic sites ' was a new field for us. Although everyone has visited some historic sites, we were unfamiliar with the definition, classification, and terminology related to architectural structures and how to appreciate the beauty of historic sites. To grasp the key points of the study within a short period, we collected information about historic sites and architecture from the Internet and read Professor Li's books. Through sharing books, exchanging ideas among the group members, and following Professor Li's fieldwork, we could better fit the theme in the planning of the interview and the questionnaire design in the subsequent execution of the interview. In addition to enhancing the understanding of the research topic, we also had to overcome the difficulties of presenting the data concisely and the time constraints of the research. From the summer when we decided to form the team and decided the research theme and direction to the subsequent implementation of various activities, including interviews with people, questionnaires, fieldwork, and various experiences and campus outreach activities, which had to be completed in just two to three months, it was indeed a major challenge testing our time management skills and the efficiency of project implementation. To accomplish the final goal, we built a consensus and worked together as a team, which was worth the hard work. Under the guidance of our teachers, we kept making corrections and worked together towards a common goal. Through this research project, we were able to learn more about the history of this land. Each building is the most precious footprint of Taiwan, which deserves to be cherished and valued, and we hope that everyone will do their best to care for and protect these historic sites and buildings and continue to pass on the memories of the times!

5. Our Project Sound Bite

From the observation and exploration of the history, culture, art, and environment of the historic sites in our research and discussions, we admire the advocates and guardians of these sites even more for their long-term commitment to a friendly environment and their dedication to the maintenance of historic sites. In the 21st century, 'global thinking, local action' has become an emerging trend and cultural policy for the implementation of historic sites in the face of the preservation of historic sites from environmental damage and threats, which is not only the government's obligation, but also our right and responsibility to participate in and enjoy cultural assets, and to achieve the ultimate goal of sustainable preservation. Let's work together to protect historic sites for cultural heritage.

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

In recent years, the concept of cultural heritage protection and deep-rooted education at school is also integrated with related teaching activities. Through this research project, we had the opportunity to explore and learn more about ancient architecture-related knowledge from the historic and cultural aspects of learning, architectural analysis of the type and function of understanding, historic site maintenance techniques and environmental awareness, recognition of the meaning of the value of historic sites, the application of the combination of school learning, which all have deeply tangible and intangible educational values in life. Suppose we want the public to understand and love historic sites. In that case, we must search for meaningful information and interesting legends from both relevant books and on the Internet, use the presentation skills we learned in class to summarize and arrange the knowledge systematically, and then use charts or graphs to present the results (the organized data). In this study, we interviewed Professor Li, visited the historic sites, studied books, looked up information on the Internet, and promoted practical activities to give us a deeper understanding that historic sites are not just buildings. Instead, they are the stage for all legendary stories, and we want to promote them to more people in our communities through the Internet blog platform; in addition to promoting them in school, since we have some knowledge taken from the Internet and hope to contribute it to other online users as well.

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Project Elements

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

A. Computer related software (1) Line and Instagram: Event Publishing, social media, announcement Platform (2) Windows 10, Google Chrome: For searching and collection relevant data, media, self-learning topic of the research project (3) Microsoft Word 2016: Organization and summary of writings in text, including experiences and reflections (4) Microsoft Excel 2016: Questionnaire statistics chart production (5) Microsoft Power Point 2016: Presentation production (6) FastStone Capture: Capture the picture (7) Light and shadow magic hands: Video editing (8) Photoimpact X3: Video editing (9) Adobe Dreamweaver: Creation of thematic web pages (10) iMovie, Power Director: Movie clip production (11) Google Forms: E-questionnaire form creation B. Computer-related hardware (1) Computer: Digitize our research reports (2) Laser printers: Print information about the thematic study (3) Digital video cameras: Use a digital camera to document the thematic research process (4) Digital camera: Use a digital camera to document the course of thematic research (5) Smartphones: Record the content of the special research interview (6) Digital Recording Pen: Voice recording of interviews C: Books, magazines, Journal papers: Access information (Borrow from the library and purchase from the bookstores)

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

As for how we want to get more Taiwanese to visit and preserve the traditional buildings and how to promote these special buildings to people outside of Taiwan, we plan to do it in two ways. Through campus promotion, be it posters, book sharing, or picture book read-along, we hope that teachers and students in our school will develop a strong interest in historic sites through these diverse presentation methods. In addition, we created a survey to find out how much people know about traditional historic sites and buildings. We also hope that this questionnaire will raise people's awareness of the importance of historic sites and their preservation so that they will not forget the importance of these historic sites to us even when they are busy. Moreover, we also visited the special exhibition of hand drawings of Professor Li in the museum and we took image records to share on the official website of the museum to promote the historic sites-related exhibition activities. Finally, I believe that as an ambassador for the promotion of historic sites, the most crucial part is the production of the website because it can best present all of our research and the diversity and beauty of the website. The information can not only attract many viewers with our English translation of the website, but also to allow foreign friends to have a better understanding of these historic sites, even if they may not know anything about these historic sites, through this website, they can at least have a basic understanding to see the beauty of Taiwan's culture.

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

Professor Li acted as a conservator and restorer of historic sites, actively engaged in the study of Taiwan's traditional architecture, preserved cultural assets, advocated the preservation of cultural assets movement, and promoted Taiwan's traditional architectural craftsmanship. The story behind his efforts to restore the historic sites can be found in every corner of Taiwan. Because of Professor Li's efforts to promote the importance of historic sites to the public, it is now possible to see such well-preserved ancient buildings. From his books, readers also feel like they are walking into history, 'walking into ancient buildings with their eyes,' reflecting on how to unite as a part of this land to protect the history carried by traditional buildings and treat them kindlier. Architecture of historic sites is a valuable cultural asset, and reading about architecture can inspire our imagination and creativity. We believe that our cyberfair project will help to promote the love and protection awareness of the historic sites in our friendly living environment.

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

1.Professor Li Chien-Lang. The theme of this research is based on Professor Li's extensive knowledge and experience in ancient architecture and restoration and his many years of publishing related works, including a unique, marvelous architectural perspective section of hand-drawn drawings. Professor Li led the group on a guided tour. Every place we visited was always allowed us to understand more details, from the details to open up the subtle wisdom of architecture. How fortunate we were to have the opportunity to follow Professor Li, as he narrated the tour, leading us to experience the stunning spatial beauty of ancient architecture, and extending our learning to promote the mission of historic site maintenance. 2.Mr. Lin Jia-Shu: Culture and History Tourfrom the Banqiao Lin family, is the grandson and heir of the Taiwanese historic and historic site researcher Lin Heng-Dao. He has devoted himself to the history and heritage of Taiwan for many years. It was only through Mr. Lin Jia-Shu that the interview with Professor Li Chien-Lang, the subject of the tour, was made possible. Mr. Lin put a lot of effort into each walking tour and discussion, always thinking of the fastest and most complete arrangement the first time to obtain more time for Professor Li and the group to proceed smoothly, and always contributing his lifelong experience selflessly. He was the 'best photographer' and left many photo records for the group at critical moments. 3.Ms. Hsu Ching -- Planner of Taipei City Confucius Temple Management Committee. Under the special arrangement of Ms. Hsu, we were able to have a glimpse of the beauty of traditional crafts such as jiaozi pottery, traditional painting, woodworking, and brick carving and to learn more about the architectural and decorative arts of the Confucius Temple in Taipei. 4.Mr. Chen Yu-Chien -- Chief Executive Officer of the Chen De Xing Hall. He helped us in the visit of Chen De-Xing Hall, which is one of the few ancestral halls in …

5) Discoveries, Lessons and Surprises (Optional)

Composed of five ninth graders and a seventh grader, a team of historic site enthusiasts was formed. In this project, we learned the importance of teamwork firstly. When a group member encounters a bottleneck and cannot think of creative ideas, we will give him or her encouragement and support. This is not an individual contest but a team project, only collaborating and striving for honor and success. Secondly, we learned that no one can finish a job without making any mistake. During our discussion process, Mr. Lin Hsien-Ping gave us a lot of suggestions and that we should revise each other's work. Whenever you make a mistake and correct yourself, it is a valuable experience and a vital stepping stone to success. In addition, when we were organizing activities in school, including read-along with younger classes, posting school posters, recommending good books in the library, etc., we learned that we need to communicate with teachers and students in school to present the best results, and we had to work independently. We found that as long as you dare to take the first step and communicate, people are usually willing to help you. By adding some lively interactions during our activities and presentations, the younger students could absorb more knowledge and reach a deeper understanding of our presentations. Lastly, through Professor Li Chien-Lang, we saw the importance of historic sites and their charm. These ancient buildings represent our culture, and each one of them contains secrets that we need to discover. The historic sites are not dead but alive, and when we visit these sites, it is like we have traveled through time and space to ancient times to understand more about the place and the people of these historic sites that we should cherish.

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