School: CT Eddins
    McKinney, Texas, United States

9 students, ages 10-11 worked together to complete this CyberFair project on March 8, 2013. They have participated in CyberFair in the following year(s): 2013

Classes and Teachers: Melani Sailer, Kacye Vanderplas

E-Mail contact:

Our School's Web Site: http://www.mckinneyisd.net/campuses/elementary-schools/eddins/

1. Description of Our Community

McKinney's mantra is Unique by Nature. McKinney, Texas is a very interesting place to live. It strives to keep a vibrant downtown area which is historic and quite nostalgic of how small towns 'used to be' and yet has all of the amenities that our culture strives to obtain. We have been designated the Second Best Place to live in the United States.

2. Summary of Our Project

Our International Schools CyberFair Web Project is about leaders in McKinney. We discussed as a group how we could portray the importance of leadership in McKinney. We chose to interview leaders in a different roles in our community, then share that through the use of a webpage as well as videos.

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:more than 6

4. Problems We Had To Overcome

One problem that we had to overcome was working on a deadline, quite a new concept for some 10 and 11 year old children.

5. Our Project Sound Bite

Participation in International Schools CyberFair was exciting for our 9 participants, they relished showing their technology skills as well as their journalism tendencies.

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

The activities and research for the International Schools CyberFair project directly aligned with our Texas Essential Knowledge and Skill standards. Specific standards reached were in the subjects of reading, writing, technology, and social studies. Our club learned many new technology skills during this project. They edited a movie using iMovie, built a website from scratch, and communicated about the project via a collaboration website, Edmodo. While using technology, students taught one another how to successfully use devices and websites. This collaboration helped boost new social skills and team working skills amongst our club. In addition, we found that each leader that we interviewed was very willing to help with this project and their interests were directly centered around our community's future in education.

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

1. 9 computers, Hewlett Packard PC 2. Apple iPads 3. Flip cameras 4. SMARTboard 5. MacBook 6. iPhone 7. Still camera 8. YouTube 9. Internet 10. Edmodo 11. Wix.com 12. iMovie All tools were available through our school. We felt all tools were beneficial during this project, however, most of the project was completed using the HP computers.

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

Our students served as ambassadors during this project in many ways. Some contacted leaders through email, phone calls, and written letters. Several of our community's leaders, mayor and superintendent, came to our school's campus to conduct the interview. Many of our leaders spoke highly of our tech club and expressed how intrigued they were with our students completing this project. They also were very pleased with the Cyber Fair project and liked how it involved students with their community.

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

I think the biggest thing our students have learned through this project is seeing the community first hand. No longer are they just overhearing others talk about the community, but now are learning from the leaders themselves and sharing that information with their peers. Our students are forming opinions on thier own as opposed to siding with their parents' views. This project has allowed our students to see and participate in the world around them and for that opportunity we are very grateful.

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

This project was very student led with the ability to bounce ideas off of their sponsors and peers. We want to thank our tech club parents who provided transportation to and from interviews, and who were also flexible during our meeting times.