School: Chi-Jen Primary School
    New Taipei City, , Taiwan

10 students, ages 11-12 worked together to complete this CyberFair project on March 10, 2017. They have participated in CyberFair in the following year(s): 2015, 2016

Classes and Teachers: Mr. Feng-Chun Yen, Mr. Fu-I Hung, Ms. Wan-Yu Chen

E-Mail contact:

Our School's Web Site: http://192.168.16.3/www/home.php

1. Description of Our Community

Xindian District is an inner city district in the southern part of New Taipei City, Taiwan, mainly consisting of hills. Xindian District is bounded in the north to Wenshan District, Taipei City by Xindian Creek and its tributary Jingmei River. Xindian District features Bitan Scenic Area, which is one of the well-known tourist attractions in Taiwan and also the source of Dapinglin Canal and Liugong Canal. Located in Xindian District, Central Engraving and Printing Plant is the only place in Taiwan that prints NTD bills legally. Many traffic constructions are built in Xindian District, including Highway No. 3 and Xindian Interchange and Ankung Interchange and MRT Xindian Line and Xiaobitan Branch Line.

2. Summary of Our Project

Since 1981, Chen Forng-Shean has studied tools, material, and skills in miniature carving in a self-taught way. In addition to miniatures, brick carving that integrates the beauty of calligraphy are also displayed in Chen Forng-Shean Miniature Art Museum. Self-made tools are provided for the public to experience brick carving. Upholding perseverance and passion, Mr. Chen has strived to promote miniature and brick carving, which makes the public attach importance to this traditional craft once again. Through this thematic study, we hope to share with more people the mystery of miniature carving and the beauty of brick carving and calligraphy.

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:dedicated connection

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

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

The school applies for HiNet with 100M bandwidth, which is provided for us to use in the computer classroom. Currently, 100 computers are available in 2 computer classrooms. In addition, a computer and a projector are available in each classroom. Besides, we have our own hard drive online where we store our work and files. We also have computers at home which are used to collect and compile data after school. E-mail and cloud space are also used to share and transmit data.

4. Problems We Had To Overcome

(1) Schedule Conflict Chen Forng-Shean dedicated his life in cultivating declining traditional craft skills. We hereby thank Mr. Chen for accepting our interview in such a tight schedule and providing us with valuable information and a wealth of knowledge. (2) Interview Skill For us, an interview is a special skill which we are not familiar with and even feel afraid of; however, under guidance of the instructor and parents and through repeated practice, we have make progress and are able to pay attention to the courtesies required for carrying out a good interview. (3) Presentation Skill Before the exhibition, we have never given any professional presentation in public. As we have to conduct guided tour in front of all students, we follow the strict instructions of the instructor and practice and make corrections repeatedly. Gradually, we gain confidence and courage. (4) Complex Work Load It is difficult for us to have a discussion, collect and compile data, host an interview, and even give a guided tour because most of us have not experienced these before. In addition, to attend Taiwan School Cyberfair, we have to learn English writing. During this period of time, we often have disagreements, but what we learn from these disagreements are rational discussion, planning, and teamwork, making every detail of website making thorough and sound. (5) Achievement As the website navigation becomes closer and closer, data integration and the schedule become tougher. In the winter vacation, we had to have discussions through the internet, e-mail or telephone as everyone had his/her plan with family members; despite of this, we still managed to put our opinions together with the instructor’s help. This website and the thematic study are the great challenge that we have never experienced, yet we have learned a lot from this experience.

5. Our Project Sound Bite

At the beginning of the activity, we actually did not know exactly what to do. After getting to work, we realized that many preparations need to be done, such as collecting data, drawing out a topic, compiling a work log and a report, hosting an interview, and visiting the museum. Throughout the whole process, we have cultivated the ability to collect and compile data, give a guided tour confidently, and value the passion for cultures of traditional crafts. Through this thematic study, we hope to share with more people the mystery of miniature carving and the beauty of brick carving and calligraphy.

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

This year, we conduct the thematic study on The Universe in a Grain of Sand- The Miniature & Brick Carving of Chen Forng-Shean in the hope of strengthening students’ ability to draft a plan, collect data, host an interview, give a guided tour, and make a website. Through the cooperation with educational institutions, families, and private enterprises, information, environmental and local education are promoted to allow future generations to have the vision and ability to engage the world. Through the competition, environmental education integrated with information, internet, and English is emphasized. Language: Students practice creative thinking and active learning when having a discussion, giving a guided tour and compiling a report. In an interview, students learn to express, communicate, and share their opinions. In addition, English writing is taught to make our English ability more solid. Integrative Activities: When decorating the exhibition venue and giving a guided tour, we learned how to plan, organize, and practice, attached importance to respect, care for others, and teamwork, and cultivated the basic capability of life-long learning. Arts and Humanities: We especially invited our art teacher to design three themes for lower-grade, medium-grade, and senior-grade students respectively, who use soap carving and brick carving to make bas-relief. The work was displayed in the exhibition to demonstrate the application of art in life. Social Science: In response to Happy Learning Day, we invited the teacher to introduce traditional buildings in Taiwan at present and the beauty of brick carving. Science and Technology: We applied a wealth of information-based knowledge and kept a detailed record through digital camera, DV, and voice recorder. Through computers and the internet, we have learned about how to process digital photos and make a website. From this experience, we have made great improvement in the ability to use information technology.

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

Telephone:Contact the interviewee and team members Digital Voice recorder:Record the interview DV:Record the exhibition and actual guided tour Digital camera:Take pictures, data, and images Scanner:Scan pictures in books USB flash drive:Backup data Computer:Progress report and review writing, webpage production, data storage, look up information online. Internet:Search information online PhotoImpact:Webpage art editing Internet Explorer:Collecting information and contacting communication Filezilla:Transmit files Microsoft Word:Process documents and data Flash:Make animations Dreamweaver:Produce and edit the website Illustrator:Webpage art editing Photoshop:Webpage art editing

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

Through the guided tour and guided activity in the final exhibition, all of our team members share with schoolmates the achievement made by Mr. Chen in brick carving and miniature. Located at Xindian, Chen Forng-Shean Miniature Art Museum is a place full of cultural significance. After the activity, we put the result together on the website. In addition to Cyberfair, we also added a link on the school’s website, where parents, alumni, and people worldwide may understand Mr. Chen’s contribution to the traditional craft and value brick carving and miniature more.

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

On the Happy Learning Day, we would visit some featured places with our teacher, such as Lin Family Mansion and Garden, Zushi Temple, and Museum of Drinking Water. At that time, we often neglected the decoration of the buildings. After conducting the thematic study of the Cyberfair, we have more thorough understanding of these traditional crafts. Next time, we will never miss the beauty of decoration. During the activity, we slowly obtained knowledge that is not taught in school and made new friends. Through repeated discussions and corrections, our ways of doing things or interacting with others have changed significantly. Although the process was hard, we never felt tired. It took almost five months to complete the entire website for the thematic study. Every team member stuck to the end of the activity and felt a sense of achievement. From this experience, we have learned that we will harvest as long as we never give up.

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

Special Thanks The Artist of Chen Forng-Shean Miniature Art Museum, Mr. Forng Shean Chen The Research Assistant of the museum, Ms. Cho Min The teacher of Chi-Jen Primary School, Mr. Eric Herisson. The teacher of Chi-Jen Primary School, Mr. Nathaniel Lewis. The teacher of Chi-Jen Primary School, Ms. Wan-Yu Chen.

5) Discoveries, Lessons and Surprises (Optional)

From the selection to the participation in Cyberfair, we felt nervous and didn’t know what to do at first. For four months or more, we have obtained different experience and have made like-minded friends. After overcoming a series of challenges, we deeply feel that it is truly delighted to participate in Cyberfair and give a guided tour to our schoolmates through teamwork. During the final guided tour, we felt nervous of speaking in front of so many people. Although we tried to make an adjustment, the result was not good enough to turn the tide; however, after repeated discussions and practice, we regained a sense of achievement and made all-out attempts, regardless of the place in the competition. As the saying goes, “No pain, no gain.” We believe that our efforts will certainly be rewarded!