CyberFair Project ID: 4669

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International Schools CyberFair Project Narrative
Title: Our Leatherback Turtle in Danger
Category: 7. Environmental Awareness
URL: http://curepe-pres.edu.tt/cyberfair/2006
Bibliography: http://curepe-pres.edu.tt/cyberfair/2006/bibliography.htm

School: Curepe Presbyterian School
    POS, N/a, Trinidad and Tobago

39 students, ages 10 yrs worked together to complete this CyberFair project on March 17, 2006. They have participated in CyberFair in the following year(s): 2001,2002,2003,2004,2005

Classes and Teachers: Mr. Basdeo Sooknanan, Mrs. Emeline Dhanoolal, Std 4 ED

E-Mail contact:

Our School's Web Site: http://

Project Overview

1. Description of Our Community

Our community is the twin-island state of Trinidad and Tobago, located at the southernmost end of the Caribbean archipelago. Trinidad and Tobago as a Republic has gone through a rich cultural evolution from Amerindians tribal warfare and lifestyle, to re-discovery by the Spaniards, a British colony, slavery, Independence, to its present Republicanism. The cosmopolitan population of our community has resulted in a rich blend of cultures. People of various races and origins co-exist in a blend of cultural and social harmony. (In fact, at one of the wetlands there is one special building used by all of the main religious bodies as a place of worship and they co-operate quite well with their scheduling). From a plantation economy, Trinidad and Tobago is now an emerging upper Third World country with a petroleum- and a natural gas-based economy. Manufacturing and foreign investments sectors are also increasing. Being a tropical island, we are fortunate to be blessed with sea, sand, mountains, lush green flora, varieties of fauna, wetlands, warm climate and many other natural resources so loved by tourists

Our local community-

Our local community is made up of the School, Parents, Past students, past -teachers, friends of the school, the business community, resource personell from organisations. Curepe- Situated in the north, east of POS Gateway to all parts of country.Major roads pass through S.M.R, EMR, Priority MainRoad Near to the Univeristy, Teachers College and Airport. Former cane fields with railway crossings now built semi- urban housing area-many business places, educational instutions (preschool,primary,secondary,tertiary) modern buildings/resisential clustering and university neighbourhood centers.

2. Summary of Our Project

Summary or our Project

The leatherback is in danger of becoming extinct and steps must be taken to protect them. Our project seeks to inform and sensitive our community,local and globally to this sensitive issue. We began by research the topic from different sources.Armed with some knowledge we contacted local environmental groups to learn more of their efforts. Our project is broadly categories in the broad ares. (1)Research and learn (2)Highlight the plight of the leatherback to a wider community. (3)Highlight the efforts of Nature Seekers and SOS (Save our sea turtle). (4)Build models to highlight the topic. (5)Share the information with as many people as possible.The idea of sustainability in the environment and preservation of endangered species were clearly highlighted in this project. Students were able to reconise that their own negative habits and those of others can have a distraous consequence on the leatherback .The resourse persons who work out in the field visited the classroom to bring information and reinforce the importance of their work. The school will now become a centre of desemination of knowledge for preserving the leatherback turtles. The internet proved to be an effective teaching and learning method in this projec

3. Our Computer and Internet Access

A. Percentage of students using the Internet at home:21-50%

B. Number of workstations with Internet access in the classroom:1

C. Connection speed used in the classroom:dial-up modem

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

4. Problems We Had To Overcome

Problems we had to overcome

Our class activities are very demanding and packed. There is not much time left to engaged in the project as we would like. This was a major problem Documentation of information not readily advailable from local groups. We had to use foreign websites. Many parents expressed their support for the project, but most of them have jobs and so found it very difficult to allocate time to assist. Internet connection was frustratingly slow making upload slow.

5. Our Project Sound Bite

Our environment is very senstive to our actions therfore we must preserve and protect it for our better future. We had fun while learning and are proud to transfer our knowledge and positive attitudes concerning the endangered leatherback turtles to the world.

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

This project aligns and refinforces the guidelines of the national curriculum in many areas.

Science - Classification of animals , the food web, sustainability, interpedence in the environments.Preservation of an endangered species.

Social Studies - Field trips to obtain land experience in metal fabrication shop, planning a trip at night to see the leatherback turtles nest.Inciting experts expertsand resourcepersons in the feild to addresss the topic and inform on their on preservation.

Art and Craft - Makind models and displaying infomation for the rest of the student population and community.Charts and maps were also drawn

Language Arts - Preparing scripts and writing notes,Skimming, scanning, making oral presentations, writing letters of invitations and Thank you.

Mathematics - Time, measurement, using skills to formulate designs for models.

Group Work - Co-operation, delegation of duties were concepts grasped. Students displayed enthusiasm and high level of interest in the projest.

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Project Elements

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

Students were able to access and use everyday technologies in the classroom, ,using it as a tool in the process of acquiring and sharing knowledge. Some of these tools are: computers, FrontPage web design software, Imager Composer for photography, digital camera, digital camcorder, video, tape players/ recorders ,DVD player, Overhead Projector, phone, fax, email, library. Our school is the first to prepare documentaries in video format to share with other schools and with the community. The ability to record our activities and share it with others gives students a sense of satisfaction and pride. THis is in line for educational reform that stresses alternative forms of assement as an essential element of evaluation

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

Description of the national community

Our community is the twin-island state of Trinidad and Tobago, located at the southernmost end of the Caribbean archipelago. Trinidad and Tobago as a Republic has gone through a rich cultural evolution from Amerindians tribal warfare and lifestyle, to re-discovery by the Spaniards, a British colony, slavery, Independence, to its present Republicanism. The cosmopolitan population of our community has resulted in a rich blend of cultures. People of various races and origins co-exist in a blend of cultural and social harmony. (In fact, at one of the wetlands there is one special building used by all of the main religious bodies as a place of worship and they co-operate quite well with their scheduling). From a plantation economy, Trinidad and Tobago is now an emerging upper Third World country with a petroleum- and a natural gas-based economy. Manufacturing and foreign investments sectors are also increasing. Being a tropical island, we are fortunate to be blessed with sea, sand, mountains, lush green flora, varieties of fauna, wetlands, warm climate and many other natural resources so loved by tourists

Our local community-

Our local community is made up of the School, Parents, Past students, past -teachers, friends of the school, the business community, resource personell from organisations. Curepe- Situated in the north, east of POS Gateway to all parts of country.Major roads pass through S.M.R, EMR, Priority MainRoad Near to the Univeristy, Teachers College and Airport. Former cane fields with railway crossings now built semi- urban housing area-many business places, educational instutions (preschool,primary,secondary,tertiary) modern buildings/resisential clustering and university neighbourhood centers.

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

Impact.

Students were overwhelmed and fascinated by history, knowledge of turtles. Positive comments – spread of education to preserve things in the environment Link with other projects done previously in area of environmental preservation and effect on society. E.g. reforestation of hillsides and proper disposal of garbage to lessen impact of flooding in low-lying areas. Relationship between school and community strengthened because of positive visible signs of effects of environ awareness. In future – greater “environmental awareness” on land, effect what happens on the beaches and shoreline where turtles nest. Positive Change in attitude to be brought about concerning things in “nature” and effect on other life forms and preserving the earth. Teachers and students from other schools are impressed with our work and are motivated to engage in similar type projects. Representatives from the conservations groups were very impressed with our efforts, especially for coming from kids from a primary school.

The knowledge and experiences share thrugh this project will sensitive members of the public so that they can contribute in one way or another to preserve our future on our planet

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

Many agencies including those at the national and local community levels were involved in the project. They were very willing to share their work and knowledge with us. They were amazed yet pleasantly encouraged to continue since most of what they do is voluntary and they depend on funding from various environmental organisations. The forestry division, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of the Environment, Nature Seekers, Environment Tobago and community groups in Fishing Pond and Toco. Many persons come to the classrooms discuss and view our live size model in the school yard.Parents, grand-parents and members of the community joined us in our 'Turtle Watching' trips which sometimes ended in the early hours of the morning. Parents and concerned neighbours of the school volunteered their time to build to build the large size model and finish it withall the necessary items. The students were encouraged and indeed all joined in to create an overall learning experience.

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