School: Colegiul National 'Al. I.Cuza'
    Focsani, -, Romania

5 students, ages 15-18 worked together to complete this CyberFair project on March 8, 2010. They have participated in CyberFair in the following year(s): -

Classes and Teachers: Mereuta Elena Camelia, Serban Lamaita, Alexandru D, Raluca A, Andreea A, Ingrid G, Georgiana B

E-Mail contact:

Our School's Web Site: http://cnc.lufo.ro

1. Description of Our Community

The protection of indigenous cultural heritage, encouraging mobility and intercultural dialogue among youth within educational museums are the main goals of our project. It provides a crucial opening towards feeling part of a community and develops civic responsibility in national and local communities. The city of Focsani has a history of more than 500 years and has evolved from a small trader town to a cosmopolitan area. It has also played a major role in the unification of the Romanian provinces

2. Summary of Our Project

Given that both landmarks and historical sites are present in Focsani, the National College „Al. I.Cuza”, in collaboration with Vrancea County History Museum, Union Department propose a new approach towards teaching about heritage. The series of proposed educational activities will take place both within the museum objectives in Focsani and the National College „Al.I. Cuza”. Educational modules were designed by combining learning and theater, students can better understand the significance and importance of local and national cultural heritage , can see specific details of field research, historical and cultural, as well those on the protection and enhancement of the architectural objectives in Focsani. The project aims at student’s development of sensitivity and respect for local and national heritage values as a means of understanding and preserving their national identity, both spiritual and cultural

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:1

C. Connection speed used in the classroom:not sure

D. Number of years our classroom has been connected to the Internet:more than 6

4. Problems We Had To Overcome

Ever since the first meeting, there were many problems with the amount of information we had to deal with, mainly because of the large numaber of people involved in the project. We had to organize all the data, along with pictures and presentations, in just two months. The technic issues weren't so difficult to overcome as the IT teacher involved in the project supported us throughout the project with advice and information. Communication wasn't a problem amongst the team memebers as for the bonds created between them along the two months of constant work.

5. Our Project Sound Bite

The 'Living History' project aims to bring people together in a journey to the past and future of Focsani. Believing in unity and trusting that we cannot forget our cultural heritage and links to the past, it is our desire to emphasize the importance of our local history for generations to come.

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

Our main aim was promoting schools as institutions that seek providing comprehensive training and European standards for pupils in the completion of a career, understanding culture, but act as a complement to knowledge and skills in the educational environment. Using paper based books and online courseworks, we were able to gather the necessary information to influence positively the opinion of students for the local architecture. By analysing the importance of structures, persoanalities living in Focsani and former residents, we could understand easily the relevance of the Union in 1859, the political figures living here and support the local Museum by having presentations at the Union Museum. Students played in theatre plays, discussed about history topics and brought to life historical moments of Focsani

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

Using our own personal computers at home and the ones provided by the high-school, the access to information was faciliatated. Telephones were also required to keep in touch with each other, video-projectors were used during the presenattions at the Museum, whilst local media recorded all the important moments and broadcasted them live. The local authorities sustained our quest for providing financial support, and also donated technical instruments. For recording the events, video and digital still cameras were used. Oral interviews with museum staff were also an essential part of our project.

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

As Ambassadors of the 'Living History' project, we tried to keep in touch with museum and local authorities staff, by phone or e-mail. By presenting short biographies and brief chronologies of Focsani's historical importance, research involved discussions with authorities, teachers and students. We think we managed to impress our readers and made them more aware of their personal knowledge and interests. Our project's aim is to draw the attention of people towards culture and history in East European backgrounds.

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

The project aims to generate: •An increased local community involvement in projects promoting heritage as educational resource, given both institutions and government( local and county level) •Greater visibility of existing efforts, identifying best practices locally and creating a local network for exchanging information and experience about the past and cultural heritage of the town of Focsani. The way we communicate about the past will improve in many ways and will definitely meet student expectations and needs, residents of Focsani in a better way than before. And it is recognized that the history of the city should not be discussed in a language that only specialists understand. Institutions involved in the transformation project will benefit by changing teaching typologies and those that interpret heritage; it will also influence the type of exposure and planning exhibitions.

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

Expected results are that educators, curators and all conservatives have a role in developing the city’s cultural heritage study and dissemination of results aver large areas. The project aims to create a network of volunteers and enthusiasts among students that will represent a valuable source of development in the research of town history. Students will participate in local and national competitions by having the opportunity of finding out more about the historical monuments in their city and relevant landmarks. It is our goal to create a large network of volunteers that could implement this project in broader areas, and even in the school curricula. We wish to thank all of those that supported us during the project and worked to develop our quest and also to our Moldavian guests that visited us in January, as a part of another project- their help supported our interests in historical landmarks of Focsani.

5) Discoveries, Lessons and Surprises (Optional)

We were walking down-town and never realised taht the buildings we were seeing were actually part of our history. Now, we can see that generations to come deserve to know more about their past and respect the heritage former generations had to offer. During the shows and presentations, we learned about hidden talents, by discovering that our colleagues can dance valse, can play the piano or they can act in a theatre play. We therefore discovered a more creative and insightful view on all of us. All the participants will receive in May diplomas and prizes from Colegiul National 'Al.I.Cuza' Focsani, the Union Museum and also from local antreprenors.