School: Tongan Elementary School
    Changhua, Taiwan, Taiwan

10 students, ages 9-11 worked together to complete this CyberFair project on January 28, 2026. They have participated in CyberFair in the following year(s): 2019,2020,2021,2022,2023,2024,2025

Classes and Teachers: 3

E-Mail contact:

Our School's Web Site: http://

1. Description of Our Community

Our community is centered in Fenyuan Township, a charming rural district nestled at the eastern foot of the Bagua Mountain Range in Changhua County. To us, 'community' is more than just a geographic boundary; it is a shared living space where historical labor and modern environmental consciousness intersect.

Geographically, our community is a lush, hilly terrain characterized by its abundant natural springs and diverse flora. Historically, it was defined by the hardworking ancestors who carved out the Tiaoshui Ancient Trail to sustain their families. Today, this community has evolved into a vibrant network of local residents, environmental volunteers, and trekking enthusiasts who are dedicated to preserving the 'May Snow' (Tung blossoms) and the local ecosystem.

What truly defines our community is the spirit of 'Coexistence.' It is a place where elders pass down stories of the past while the younger generation utilizes digital tools to promote sustainable tourism. By focusing on the Tiaoshui Ancient Trail, we see our community as a living classroom—one that teaches us the importance of water resource conservation, the beauty of seasonal changes, and the profound connection between the land and its people. We are a community that honors its roots while blossoming toward a sustainable future.

2. Summary of Our Project

Our project is titled 'The Path of Springs: Tracing the Footprints of Fenyuan's Tiaoshui Ancient Trail.' We focus on the most iconic cultural and natural landmark in Fenyuan Township, Changhua County—the Tiaoshui Ancient Trail. During the Qing Dynasty, this trail served as a vital lifeline for local residents to fetch water. Although it once faded into obscurity with the rise of modern tap water systems, it has now undergone a magnificent transformation, becoming a premier destination for ecotourism and cultural heritage, world-renowned for its 'May Snow' Tung blossoms.

Our research is conducted through three primary dimensions:

Historical Tracing: By analyzing online resources and official government documents, we reconstruct the arduous years of our ancestors fetching water on foot and the survival wisdom they possessed.

Ecological Guidance: We document the rich biodiversity along the trail, specifically highlighting the ecological wonders of the blooming Tung blossoms every April and May, as well as the seasonal migration of eagles.

Community Sustainability: We investigate how the local government and residents collaborate to maintain the trail and organize regular community events to drive industrial transformation and strengthen local identity.

By creating this website, we are not only recording a fading history but also building a digital platform to introduce Fenyuan’s natural beauty and cultural resilience to the world. Our goal is to raise global awareness regarding the preservation of local heritage. This project is more than an academic exploration; it is a profound journey into the heart and soul of our hometown.

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

4. Problems We Had To Overcome

During the development of this project, our team encountered several significant obstacles:

Fragmentation of Historical Data: Early records of the Tiaoshui Ancient Trail were often scattered across incomplete official documents. To reconstruct an accurate history, we meticulously cross-referenced government archives and interviewed local elders during our spare time, effectively validating oral traditions with written evidence.

Challenges of Field Investigation: Capturing the ecological splendor of eagle migrations and Tung blossoms required trekking on rugged mountain paths with heavy photography equipment. Faced with unpredictable mountain weather and physical fatigue, we learned the importance of proactive weather monitoring and efficient team coordination.

Technical Integration of Multimedia: Transforming a vast amount of photos, interview recordings, and historical files into user-friendly digital content was a major technical hurdle. Through peer collaboration and guidance from our teachers, we mastered web design techniques and image processing software, eventually succeeding in systematizing our complex research findings.

These challenges not only enhanced our technical skills but also instilled in us a profound sense of teamwork and a mission to preserve our hometown’s heritage.

5. Our Project Sound Bite

Participating in the International Schools CyberFair has transformed our students from mere observers into ambassadors of their hometown culture. It has not only deepened our community’s commitment to heritage and ecological preservation but also successfully showcased the sustainable beauty and resilient spirit of Fenyuan's Tiaoshui Ancient Trail to the global stage.

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

Our project is highly aligned with the core competencies of Taiwan’s national curriculum, particularly in Social Studies regarding historical landscapes, Natural Sciences concerning biodiversity, and Information Technology for digital content creation.

In terms of professional skills, we mastered rigorous archival analysis, field interview techniques, and web design using HTML5 and graphic processing software. Through group collaboration, we practiced agile division of labor and conflict resolution, ensuring that members with different strengths contributed effectively.

This journey proved that Internet-based learning is significantly more effective than traditional methods. We could instantaneously access government open-access databases and utilize digital mapping for trail navigation. More importantly, we discovered that we are no longer just passive recipients of knowledge, but active guardians and chroniclers of our community’s culture.

This 'learning by doing' model not only fulfills our school's project-based curriculum requirements but also allowed us to redefine our roles within the school community. We have realized that as students, we serve as a vital bridge connecting past history with the modern world.

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

To comprehensively document the Tiaoshui Ancient Trail, we integrated a wide array of hardware and software. For hardware, we utilized 6 desktop computers in the school laboratory for primary editing, complemented by smartphones and DSLR cameras to capture the intricate details of migrating eagles and Tung blossoms during field trips. Additionally, digital voice recorders were used to preserve precious interviews with local elders, and school scanners helped digitize vintage maps of the trail.

In terms of software and technology, we leveraged Google Drive for cloud-based collaboration and utilized Canva and Photoshop for visual design. A unique aspect of our project was using GPS tracking apps to personally map the trail’s route, providing our web visitors with precise geographical data.

The most valuable tools were the 'Internet' and 'Oral Interviews.' The Internet allowed us to access digital archives from national historical museums instantaneously, while oral interviews breathed life into cold data. Most equipment was provided by our school, with some photography gear sponsored by team members' parents. Through these technologies, we successfully pieced together fragmented historical snippets into a cohesive digital narrative, offering a more sensory and persuasive experience than traditional paper-based learning.

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

Throughout the research process, we acted not only as students but as 'cultural diplomats' for Fenyuan. We conducted multiple field visits to the Tiaoshui Ancient Trail and took on the role of guides, providing professional tours for visiting students from other schools. Furthermore, we collaborated with the Butterfly Association to host educational sessions on local butterfly species and organized eagle-watching activities.

One of our most memorable experiences was presenting our project to hikers at the trail entrance. Although we were initially shy, the visitors were deeply impressed to learn that we were documenting the local 'May Snow' and eagle ecology. Their encouragement was overwhelming, and one photography enthusiast even spontaneously shared his rare and precious captures of eagles with us.

These interactions yielded unexpected and heartening results: local associations were so moved by our efforts that they invited us to serve as volunteer guides during future blossom seasons. Many elders expressed profound joy and relief, seeing the younger generation using modern technology to preserve the memories of the 'Tiaoshui Ancient Trail.' Through these connections, we have not only promoted our project but also reignited a deep sense of community pride in our local cultural heritage.

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

Although our website has been live for a short period, it has already become a vital bridge connecting our school and the local community. The most significant impact is the 'Awakening of Cultural Identity.' By collaborating with the Butterfly Association and guiding visiting school groups, we have helped redefine the trail—once seen merely as a hiking path—as a 'Living History Museum.'

Through our digital documentation, many residents were surprised to discover the profound 'water-fetching' history and the precious eagle migration patterns existing alongside the famous blossoms. We have received heartening feedback from parents and community leaders who noted that this project encouraged students to look up from their screens and observe their hometown.

Most importantly, we have established new working relationships by co-organizing eagle-watching and ecological tours with local organizations. This has not only raised local environmental awareness but also allowed a global audience to witness the resilient beauty of Fenyuan. Regardless of technological changes, the commitment to protecting our land has taken root in our hearts and translated into meaningful community action.

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

The success of our project is a result of the enthusiastic support from numerous community partners and volunteers. First and foremost, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the experts from the Changhua Butterfly Association. They not only guided us in identifying the diverse butterfly species along the trail but also shared invaluable knowledge on habitat conservation. Furthermore, the local elders served as our 'living dictionaries,' generously sharing the arduous history of their ancestors fetching water, which added depth and warmth to our research.

We are also deeply grateful to the photography enthusiasts we met on the trail, who unselfishly provided us with high-quality images of eagles in flight, filling the gaps in our own photographic equipment. Within our school, our IT and Social Studies teachers provided essential technical guidance and advice on historical document cross-referencing. We even received ecological feedback from experts across the miles via the Internet.

These contributions not only enhanced the quality of our project but also made us feel the powerful force of a community united in cultural preservation. We would like to offer our sincerest thanks to every volunteer who lent us a hand—without your support, this journey of exploration would not have been possible.