1) What information tools & technologies did you used to complete your CyberFair project?
The technologies we utilized include the following: Field Exploration Scholars, experts, residents in our community , and parent-volunteers come together to design and participate in a series of explorative curriculum. IC Recorders Used in oral interviews, interviewing experts and residents in our community, and understanding treefrogs' activity sites. Library, Books, Newspaper Information gathered from the Internet is gathered, categorized, and organized via the following six steps (BIG6): define questions, strategy of seeking information, find and acquire information, utilize information, integrate information, and evaluate information. Water-Quality Tester, Thermometer Inspect to see if the water quality and the environment is appropriate for the growth of the treefrogs. Internet
(e-mail, net phone, and IM programs) Use the Internet to look for related website texts, pictures, and multimedia files. Communicate with net-friends.
Use e-mail, net phone, and IM programs to communicate. PC, DV, Video Capture Card Take pictures and shoot video footage during interviews. The videos are converted into stream-lined clips that are recorded on VCDs. Scanner, Printer Scanner is used to process images, and printer is used to photocopy information. Telephone, Fax Telephone and fax are used to communicate with the interviewees. Portable Drives, CD, Burner Related information is stored in these media before being uploaded to a PC that has no Internet access for editing files and print-out. Digital Camera Used to take digital images. Portable Hard Drive Backup webpage data. Computer Software Namo?Dreamweaver?PhotoImpact?Flash?Office,ACDSee.......? Dry wet thermometer We use the dry wet thermometer to survey the Farmland Treefrog's hibernation environment the temperature and relative humidity.
2) In what ways did you act as "ambassadors" and spokespersons for your CyberFair project both on-line and in person.
During this dedicated project, we have learned the concepts of observing natural ecology and protecting the nature. We also learned the techniques in gathering and organizing information. During the lectures and explorations, we also got to know Teacher Rong Cheng Lai, Professor Jiong Hsi Liu, and Ms. Chiong Wen Chang (Dong Jun) who know a great deal about Farmland treefrogs, and the news reporters such as Chang Gung Tsai from UDN and Che Chuan Chuang of China Times, and reporters from CYC TV. All of them have great passion for Farmland treefrogs and have spent a lot of time and energy on studying frogs. Such dedication really inspires us.
During this project, we also learned many computer techniques, gathered a lot of information on frogs, and we have also participated in many exciting Farmland treefrog exploration activities. With the guidance by Teacher Yu Ching Liu and Teacher Miao Chan Lin, we made drawings and clay-shaping of treefrogs. Director Li told us that our works, whether drawings or clay-shaping, were all so beautiful, and they will be put on display in the graduation ceremony. We feel such a strong sense of achievement.
We also learned how to use and develop the ecological box. The ecological box was prepared by Director Yang and the 3rd year students during the 3rd year natural science class. We used it as the temporary home for the Farmland treefrogs. Ms. Dong Jun Chang (frog witch) told us that Farmland treefrogs only eat things that are alive, and we could put fruit in the box to attract fruit flies that can be preyed on by Farmland treefrogs. We have observed the low level of activity in Farmland treefrogs. They dug holes for hibernation when they were put in the box, and their bodies turned to a brownish color. At last, we had to return the Farmland treefrogs to nature -- where they belong.
Besides organizing the website material, we have also described the attractions and specialties of our community. During the entire learning activity, each event is a surprise and great discovery to us.
3) What has been the impact of your project on your community?
Our entire school has worked together in order to participate in this year's Cyberfair. Under the leadership of Principal Ying Sen Liu, Director Ying Juan Li and Direcor Wen Ying Yang, Chief Miao Chan Lin, Chief Li Fen Chang, Teacher Yong Lin Guo, Teacher Yu Chin Liu, Ms. Liu Cheng Chu, and Teacher Jun Hsiung Chen all have dedicated themselves in this project. The grade 5 students and teachers are our main force, and Bang Yu who is grade 4 has also helped us. We thank all of them sincerely.
The 1st year alumni returned to our school on the day of the exhibition and donated many books. Da Han Bookstore also donated many useful computer books. Beishih Cultural Development Association also covered the entire funding for the Farmland Treefrog Exploration Team. The principal of our principal, Principal Wen Chi Jian of Shiulin Elementary School, and Dong Shan Chang, the school inspector sent by the Department of Education, also came to the exhibition to instruct and encourage us. We felt so warm when we thought of all the assistance and help we received from these people as we were busy with conducting camp events, organizing data, and checking on progress.
The parents of the students in our school also talk to us about Farmland treefrogs, like the discoveries they had in the bamboo forests near their homes. They are so enthusiastic when they talk about this topic.
4) How did your project involve other members of your community as helpers and volunteers?
Fortunately, with the great support and funding provided by Beishih Cultural Development Association, the principal, school inspector, and officials. During the lectures and explorations, we also got to know Teacher Rong Cheng Lai, Professor Jiong Hsi Liu, and Ms. Chiong Wen Chang (Dong Jun) who know a great deal about Farmland treefrogs, and the news reporters such as Chang Gung Tsai from UDN and Che Chuan Chuang of China Times, and reporters from CYC TV. All of them have great passion for Farmland treefrogs and have spent a lot of time and energy on studying frogs. Such dedication really inspires us. Under the leadership of Principal Ying Sen Liu, Director Ying Juan Li and Direcor Wen Ying Yang, Chief Miao Chan Lin, Chief Li Fen Chang, Teacher Yong Lin Guo, Teacher Yu Chin Liu, Ms. Liu Cheng Chu, and Teacher Jun Hsiung Chen all have dedicated themselves in this project. The grade 5 students and teachers are our main force, and Bang Yu who is grade 4 has also helped us. We thank all of them sincerely. The discovery of Farmland treefrogs during the process was made possible with the support from Beishih Cultural Development Association and leadership from Professor Jiong Hsi Liu, Teacher Rong Cheng Lai, and the 'frog witch' Chiong Wen Chang (Dong Jun).
5) Discoveries, Lessons and Surprises (Optional)
China Times C1/Focus on Yunlin and South of Chiayi 2006/01/28
Children's Perspective Expands with Farmland Treefrog Exploration Camp
?Chang Gung Tsai/Reports from Dalin?
Dalin Township Shetuan Elementary School's five day long 'Farmland Treefrog Exploration Camp' had ended. More than 20 children who were given certificates for completing this even finally got to see Farmland treefrogs in the wintertime when Farmland treefrogs conceal themselves. They also saw Taipei treefrogs -- something rare in the southern region of Taiwan. They had also discovered Chinese treefrogs, the only treefrogs among the toads in Taiwan that climb trees. Dong Jun Chang, the 'Frog Witch,' joined the exploration camp on the 27th to talk to children about frogs. The rich knowledge on frogs helped the children to gain a better understanding of these creatures. The participants didn't have a high hope of discovering Farmland treefrogs in their 5 day long event for two reasons: they could only hear the croaking, and the treefrogs currently have concealed themselves for hibernation.
Under the guidance of people such as Professor Jiong Hsi Liu of NTTU, one of the participants, Feng Chi Jiang, first discovered Farmland treefrogs. Since there is no past documentation of Farmland treefrogs discovered in winters, Principal Ying Sen Liu called Feng Chi Jiang the 'pioneer' of discovering Farmland treefrogs in wintertime. Rong Chen Lai, a teacher from Sieh Chih High School, worked as an investigator in the exploration camp, and had discovered more than 60 habitats of Farmland treefrogs in Dalin. Sanjiao Neighborhood, where Shetuan Elementary School is located, is a new discovery site. During the process of seeking Farmland treefrogs, the students also found Chinese treefrogs that were entirely covered in green, and they thought they were actually Farmland treefrogs as well. When Jiong Yi Liu and Dong Jun Chang explored the fruit farm yesterday, they also found Taipei treefrogs that were rare to be seen in southern Taiwan, and one brownish Farmland treefrog. The students also strengthened their impression of Farmland treefrogs through activities such as drawing and clay-shaping.
What would have thought that so many kinds of frog actually climb trees! Seeing these treefrogs' toes with sucking discs, the children have realized that not all frogs only live by water.
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