School: Holy Child School
    Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador

14 students, ages 12, 13 worked together to complete this CyberFair project on January 21, 2009. They have participated in CyberFair in the following year(s): 2009

Classes and Teachers: Hilda Padovani, Alexandra Molina, Sandra Sarroza

E-Mail contact:

Our School's Web Site: http://www.holychildgye.com

1. Description of Our Community

The Galapagos Islands are located in Ecuador. In 1959 The Galapagos Islands became a National Park and in the late 1970’s the Galapagos Islands were declared a World Heritage site by Unesco. The islands are maintained and operated by the Ecuador and Galapagos National Park Services and the Charles Darwin Research Station. About 96% of the islands are part of the national park with the remaining 4% inhabited by about 14,000 people (mostly on the island of Santa Cruz).

2. Summary of Our Project

The purpose of our project is to show the world the Galapagos Islands. We want to portrait Galapagos’s vegetation, animals, and the importance of its conservation. Also, we want to show the world their contribution to the ecosystem, as well as Galapagos’s unique animal and vegetation species.

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:not sure

D. Number of years our classroom has been connected to the Internet:1

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

Holy Child School just started in 2008. We have wireless access to internet in every place in the school and at least one computer and a plasma TV in each classroom, so it was easy to access to the information we required.

4. Problems We Had To Overcome

Some of the technical obstacles that we had to overcome were that access to some programs needed, was not available. Another problem was that our students left for vacations at the end of January, making it more difficult to get together and sort some of the scientific information.

5. Our Project Sound Bite

It was a great experience! A real cooperative project and great opportunity to share, to teach, to learn, to enjoy and to live! “The Galapagos Islands are a unique place, with unique species that can’t be found anywhere else. Let’s make everything we can to preserve them for future generations”.

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

This project supported the following subjects: Social Studies and Science: Previous the trip, the students were asked to research about the islands and the environmental preservation and conservation efforts to maintain the islands as a World Heritage to pass on to future generations. During the trip, we found a living laboratory to study the different species and vegetation. Technology: Designing, layout, and building a web page. Language Arts: Using elements of writing to describe a personal experience. Cooperative Learning: We also had the opportunity to work in cooperative groups in a real life project. . We had to divide ourselves in groups, accept different assignments, meet the dates given and put all the information together to publish it in the net. We discovered that it is better to work in groups and that there are several organizations that are willing to share their knowledge and experience with students interested in their field. The Charles Darwin Station and the Park Management showed us all the efforts they do to protect and to preserve this wonder of the world. Art: It was also an interesting task to take the right picture to show what the Galapagos Islands are. Our purpose is to show through pictures the most important facts about this fantastic place.

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

The students' cameras were the most important part of the equipment for this project . We used digital still cameras, tape recorders, computer software to download the pictures, oral interviews, books and internet to research about the islands. All the pictures published in our project were taken by our cameras!

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

The students and coaches are promoting the conservation of the islands by raising awareness of the uniqueness they have, therefore, the reason why they should be preserved for future generations. They have written several articles for local newspapers and their trip was also covered by 'Estudiantes 2000' a local newspaper that circulates in every school in town. Our school year ended in January 2009 but we are looking forward for next school year to be able to share our experience with the community. All our students participated in different projects during the school year to have different options to participate and we chose the best one!

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

Until now, the project has impacted mainly the Holy Child School community, which is now aware of the magnificent views and attractions that the islands have to offer, but we expect to reach young people from all over the world to learn about the beauty and importance of this fantastic place. Our project will make the difference because it launches the preservation of the Galapagos Islands throughout the eyes of children. It is the children point of view and their reasons, of why we should make everything that is possible to maintain the Galapagos Islands for future generations.

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

Our team needed the help of several parents that came to this trip. We thank those that came along and helped make this experience better. Important thanks should be given to the author Sandra Tapia. She wrote the book “A raindrop told me”; this book was the trigger for our web page project. The book made our 7th and 8th graders very aware of the unique species found at the islands. Thanks to the people from the Charles Darwin Station and the Galapagos National Park Service that showed us the importance of the Islands and their work.

5) Discoveries, Lessons and Surprises (Optional)

Our school is one year old! We are just starting and to participate in this kind of international contest gave us a lot of strenght to overcome difficulties. We are still learning English and it was a good opportunity to write with a great purpose! We also feel that the project has changed our point of view regarding the conservation. This is a beautiful place that we want to maintain as it is for future generations. 'TEACH AND UNITE' was a great experience, we worked together with Charles Darwin Station, The Galapagos Park Managment, the author of the book that motivated us to travel to the Galapagos, directors, teachers, parents and all our school community! It was a great lesson to all of us!