CyberFair Project ID: 1457

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International Schools CyberFair Project Narrative
Title: Open The Window To Our World...Welcome To East Aurora !
Category: 3. Business and Community Organizations
URL: http://www.eaurtech.wnyric.org/website/cyberfair/cyberfairindex.html
Bibliography: No bibliography page cited

School: Main Street Elementary
    East Aurora, New York, United States

12 students, ages from 9 to 10 worked together to complete this CyberFair project on March 15, 2001. They have participated in CyberFair in the following year(s): 0

Classes and Teachers: Mrs. Laurie Cichocki

E-Mail contact:

Our School's Web Site: http://www.eaur.wnyric.org

Project Overview

1. Description of Our Community

East Aurora is made up of a group of people who are looking to improve their community. The local government makes laws and provides the people with basic needs. Our town also has many services and organizations that make it a comfortable community in which to live.

East Aurora has a rich history. The history of our community tells a story of how it became what it is today. We also can see how our community was involved in events that shaped the history of New York State.

The culture of our community is made up of customs, art, architecture and ideas. Throughout history, East Aurora’s culture has attracted and influenced many people.

Over the years, East Aurora has provided many opportunities for businesses and organizations. Many have made their home in our town. Some are family-owned, "one of a kind" in the world. Some have become world famous. Others have failed and have been replaced with new entrepreneurs. East Aurora remains a community ready to meet the challenges of the future.

East Aurora is located at the edge of the Allegheny Plateau in New York State, USA. It is approximately 20 miles south of Buffalo. East Aurora has all the normal things that a normal town would have...but, East Aurora isn't normal. Mixed in with all the regular things are extra special businesses and organizations. These unique places are an incredible gift to our community. We are proud and privileged to be living in this special little town.

2. Summary of Our Project

This enrichment project was an integrated unit of study that connected Social Studies, English-Language Arts and Information Systems. Twelve, fourth grade students worked cooperatively as a team to gather research and investigate local businesses and organizations. Each individual student became an

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:4-6

C. Connection speed used in the classroom:dedicated connection

D. Number of years our classroom has been connected to the Internet:4-6

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

The teacher who worked with the students on this enrichment project is a relative

4. Problems We Had To Overcome

There weren’t too many obstacles! Of those that we did encounter, these were the most burdensome: ~Tapping into the schedules of local business people ~Finding references at the appropriate reading level for fourth graders ~Using the internet in the afternoon (SLOW) ~Scheduling students for workshops to avoid conflicts with homeroom teacher’s instruction ~Saving graphics to individual floppy disks! ~Getting graphics to appear on the website after they were uploaded to the server

5. Our Project Sound Bite

Our participation in CyberFair reinforces that the integration and utilization of technology serves as a

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

The following New York State Learning Standards/Performance indicators (all at the elementary level) were addressed by this project:

Social Studies #1: Use a variety of intellectual skills to demonstrate understanding of major ideas, eras, themes, developments and turning points in the history of the United States and New York.

Within the framework of the New York State Learning Standards, the following Social Studies Curriculum topics are developed in fourth grade:

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Project Elements

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

The students will use a variety of resources: print, personal interviews,tours,and electronic sources to collect data. The culminating activity will require the students to present their findings in a personalized designed web page. In essence, we will be

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

As previously mentioned, the students participated in 5 full day workshops preparing for this contest. During the time they weren’t meeting as a team, the children did their own individual

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

It is very evident that the parents were supportive and excited by their children’s enthusiasm. Parents were invited to attend the very first workshop with their child to familiarize themselves with the CyberFair Project. Engaging in this project faciliated communication and collaboration within the community, especially between home and school.

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

Through a parent contact, we were able to speak with the Deputy Mayor of East Aurora. She was very instrumental in setting up walking tours and guest speakers for us. We were even invited to enjoy a complimentary lunch at The Roycroft (one of our showcased locations)

5) Discoveries, Lessons and Surprises (Optional)

As the project evolved, the children became quite a unified team! Keep in mind that these children were recommended to the technology integrator (supervisor of CyberFair Project) by their classroom teachers to be a part of this enrichment project! The children came to the team from different homerooms. Friendships formed. We ate

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