School: Sin Shih Junior High School
    Tainan County, Taiwan, Taiwan

16 students, ages 13~14 worked together to complete this CyberFair project on March 16, 2010. They have participated in CyberFair in the following year(s): 2009

Classes and Teachers: 3

E-Mail contact:

Our School's Web Site: http://www.ss2jh.tnc.edu.tw/

1. Description of Our Community

Sin-shih is located in the south of Tainan County. To the east of it is Shan-Shang Township and Shin-Hua. To the west of it, is An-ding Township. To the north of it is Shan-Hua and to the south of it is Yong-Kang City. The road and the rail infrastructure is convenient. The shape of this town is like an oval. There aren’t any mountains or hills. It is a part of Jia-Nan Plain, which has a lot of farms. As time went on, some business and industries started. Many types of factories are set up here, and it’s filled with potential of development. Moreover, Taiwan Science Park is located here.

2. Summary of Our Project

Lu-Way was established in 1996 by Mr. Kung Wen-Long and a Catholic Aid Group. The center was opened with Father Gan Hui-Zhong leading the way to create a center for educating challenged people and career training. Teachers and volunteers helped the center grow quickly. In 2003,Sister Chew Chia-Yu, from Tainan. District Catholic Church took over the center. Since then Lu-way has formally been under the direction of Catholic Church.

Lu-way caters for the unique requirements of every challenged individual. The focus lessen Individual service Provision (ISP) so that every members needs can be not. Beside the teachers and social workers of the center, there are occupational therapists, speech therapists and physical therapists working with members. Lu-Way also has the support of Chimei Medical Services to provide specialized medical care. For these reasons, Lu-Way has been acclaimed as one of like best development centers for mentally and physically challenged individuals since 2005.

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:dedicated connection

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

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

About group: At school, we use the second floor computer lab to connect to Taiwan Academic Network through on Optical Internet connection.

About individual: All of the students have their own computers to surf the net through broadband connection. When they are at school, they use school’s facilities.

4. Problems We Had To Overcome

A. Resources integration:

There are a lot of outgoing students in Shin-shin. We selected 17 students from two classes in the eighth grade. We needed to use the leisure time of two classes to do the research. It they couldn’t discuss the research at the sane time the teacher acted as a liaison between them. We also used on-line messaging to talk about our project. Most through the net and it helped us to finish.

B. From none to done:

Most of us were new to Wed design contest, wed-site design, computer art, and research. Originally we needed 5~7studewts, and then we realized we needed more help. There were too many things that needed to be done. This led to increasing the group to 17 students. In this process, we also had some experts help us. We started our project at the beginning of November. We wanted to make up for our inexperience by strutting early. Every one finished their assignments very well.

C. The challenges of Lu-way:

We were not familiar with physically and mentally disabled children. We had never been to Lu way through the net, and then visited them ourselves. We also held school to introduce La way to all our students, for example, introducing the centre of the school's helping Lu way collect donated receipts, charity sales and activities involving Lu-Way, we wanted to express the spirit of our topic 'Love and Embrace'.

D. Be careful in every part:

This research is about physically and mentally disabled children. We had to experience how they felt and what they did from day to day. To give them what they really needed. We needed to get to know them to give them our love and embrace. We had to be careful in our actions. Through the process when we were with them. In order to protect their privacy, we didn’t want to show their real approved by the secretary of Lu way to make sure they were all appropriate for putting on the website. We tried to look at our actions from their point of view. As a result, we were careful in every detail and every part of our research.

5. Our Project Sound Bite

We were involved in this research for more than 4 months. We were constantly stirring for progress. The purpose of this research was to be able to express our 'Love And Embrace' to as many people as possible and telling everyone in the world about Lu may and what they need through the net. We hope everyone can share their love with people who are in need, like the victims of Typhoon Morakot and the recent earthquake in Haiti. People all around the world should give their help, either in money or efforts, or awareness as much as possible. Lu-Way also needs to positive exposure to get more help. The more people know about Lu-Way, the more resources Lu-Way can have.

Our spirit and goal is 'Love and Embrace'. Our project isn’t glamorous, but love and embrace is our largest force-like a seed. If the seed isn’t in the ground, it’s just a seed. Otherwise, a seed in the ground can grow and bear a lot of fruit. We hope our efforts can spread love, joy and peace Lu way can be light and salt. It can also give physically and mentally disabled people 'Love and Embrace' and a therapy center. We are small here, but we believe we have love and united hearts. In this way, we must help Lu way to be known everywhere in the world. Lu way can be the light for people who are in need. Show Luway to the world.

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

Which content standards did our Cyberfair project address? The selection the Lu-Way Opportunity Center, for integration with the curriculum, was based on the need for local awareness and international awareness and integration of this into the life education topics. We hope that this Web-site will present another point of view to those who love education and also help disadvantaged groups and those who have fought for life. Through the study of this topic we learned to help others and treasure what is important. How did this project fit into your required school, district, or state curriculum guidelines?

(A)Language area:

We collected and evaluated information to be used in our own way. 1. We can look at the information, and accurately express it in our own point of view.

2. We can use various tools like books and computer networks, then collect information, organize material and expand on the material.

3. We can take the initiative to think about and explore what we have learned, and integrate it into everyday problem solving skills.

(B) Arts and humanities areas: We have designed the course outline so that we will be able to introduce Lu-Way to the students and ask them to choose their own view and visual representation of it. 1. We understand that through art and, social and cultural relations; we can express our own thoughts in the diversity of our creations.

2. We understand the variety of emotions among people and the characteristics of the design theme of a caring society and the natural environment. Using the appropriate media and techniques we aim to convey emotion and values of individuals or groups.

(C) Social areas:

Through interviews and observation we assessed how different values produce different changes.

1. We try to imagine our own values and way of life in a different paradigm and try to imagine the outcomes.

2. We face controversial issues, from diverse perspectives and engage in debate in order to make our own choices and judgments.

3. To understand morality, art and religion, and how it affects human values and behavior.

(D) Life education topics: We found that we have to cherish ourselves and care for our own lives in order to help those in need of help.

(E) Information technology and education issues: We learned many new techniques, such as Web technology, computer art and animation design, which we used in the gathering of information and the final result of our project.

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

What information tools and technologies did we use to complete your Cyberfair project?

(A) Telephone: To conduct interviews and facilitate communication between team members.

(B) Digital Camera: The interview process was photographed and placed on a dedicated website, showing the real interviews.

(C) Scanner: To scan our paintings into web pages that represent different activities at Lu-Way.

(D) Voice Recorder: To record the contents of the dialogue in our interviews.

(E) Video Conferencing: Was used to facilitate discussions, planning, and to report progress.

(F) Computer software:

1.U-lead Photo Impact 8.0 (graphic software) 2.Photo Cap 4.2 (graphic software) 3.Illustrator (graphic software)

4.Photo Shop (graphic software)

5.Office 2003 (word processing software)

6.Adobe Dream weaver (web page creation software)

7.SWiSH Max (animation software)

8.Flash MX (animation software)

(G) Book: Computer software, books, web-page reference books.

(H) Field Interview: Actual interviews done at Lu-Way Center.

(I) How did these tools help me? Where did we locate each tool?

We used these tools and software to organize, collect and compile data, build websites, proof read materials and supervise the progress of team members to complete our website.

(J) What were your most valuable tools? Why?

Computers were our most useful tools, because most of the work was done using computers (prerecorded files to read, the instrument layout, data integration). The were also used in the production of web pages.

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

The truth is Lu-Way Center in Sinshih Township is only known to precious few people and even they are not aware of the full extent of the activities at Lu-Way. We only knew that there was a center for physically and mentally handicapped children. Even our school's students did not quite know what the center offered. But by our participation in the School CyberFair research project, we didn't only create a website; we also arranged a series of activities, such as: charity events, invoice collection, visits to Lu-Way, morning assembly and so on. I believe in the activities conducted we played our 'ambassador's role' very well that the representation we gave the center during and after the study made more people aware of the Lu-Way Opportunity Center.

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

(A) How did our research change local perception?

Although we have only a small group of students, we believe that step by step this region will be more aware of Lu-Way Center, and also gradually more people will be willing donate their time resources to Lu-Way Center!

(B) How did our research project affect other places?

For a long time, in rural places, all information was passed on through word of mouth. News spread slowly! However, this time we used school education for our case study, so that more people can have contact with Lu-Way Opportunity Center. It also stands to reason that due to the location of the Tainan Science Park, there is also a large international population which I believe have a lot of caring people, who, when they look at our special study, will certainly be willing to play a greater role to help Lu-Way Opportunity Center. Therefore, we believe that our efforts can bear fruit one day.

(C) Can local people learn something new from our website?

Yes, because Tainan Science Park is in Sin shih, there are a lot of talented people in the high-tech industry that have access to our website and can learn more about Lu-Way Opportunity Center.

Families that have physically or mentally handicapped children can also learn about Lu-Way Opportunity Center from our website and they can get in contact with the services that can help them.

(D) Can other people around the world gain insight and information from our website?

Yes, there may be international visitors who want to come to the science park at Sin shih, who also have children who need help. I believe that the Lu-Way Opportunity Center must be their first choice to turn to for help, or when they learn about Lu-Way Opportunity Center via the web, they can also make donations to help the special education center at Lu-Way Opportunity Center.

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

(A) The text on the web page:

We used official advertisements and information pamphlets provided by Lu-Way Opportunity Center, modified them and integrated the information into our web site.

(B) Web Pictures:

We created and photographed our own images at Lu-Way Opportunity Center.

(C) Background Music:

We obtained a license form the music ministry to use the music played on our site.

5) Discoveries, Lessons and Surprises (Optional)

The study of this topic was not simple. Only as a team, through the division of labor, we were able to complete each phase, step by step. Through the work we had discussed, the contents of each part were completed. The need for the communication, discussion and prior planning was felt and performed throughout the whole process and contributed to the efficient completion of the project.

Because we did not have experience, our plans often did not run smoothly or reached the required goals, so they had to be done from scratch. We realized that advanced planning is very important.

After the completion of this project, we fully understand the physical and psychological barriers that can present themselves and the need to ask for help in overcoming them. But we also now know that if we get the opportunity to assist disadvantaged groups in the future, we will jump at the chance to get involved.