School: Taipei Private Fuhsing School
    Taipei, Taiwan, Republic Of China

9 students, ages 13-15 worked together to complete this CyberFair project on March 16, 2004. They have participated in CyberFair in the following year(s): 2000

Classes and Teachers: Kao Li Chuang

E-Mail contact:

Our School's Web Site: http://www.fhjh.tp.edu.tw/

1. Description of Our Community

　　Wan Hua, originally called Mengka, became the most flourishing business district in the Dan Shui River basin during the mid-Qing dynasty. Fan Shu Shi Street (Gui Yang Street Section 2), which is over 200 years old, can still be seen today. This street reflects the importance of Mengka to the history of the development of Taipei. Mengka, situated at the southwestern corner of Taipei, is the birthplace of Taipei. 　　Qing Cao Xiang, located in Lane 224 of Xi Chang Street, has many herbal medicine stores, including famous traditional herbal medicine businesses. Not only does it have the most herbal medicine stores in Taipei, but it is also the commercial center of herbal medicine stores in the Taipei region. http://gsh.taiwanschoolnet.org/gsh2004/3096/english/2004paper02.htm#2

2. Summary of Our Project

How Qing Cao Xiang was formed: 　　 When Mengka was first established, epidemics were rampant and medicine practitioners were scarce. Herbal medicine became an important way to cure diseases in the general public. http://gsh.taiwanschoolnet.org/gsh2004/3096/english/2004paper02.htm#3

The history of the herbal stores and the introduction of herbal medicine: 　　During the Japanese occupation, there were only two or three herbal medicine stores on Lane 224. After the Japanese occupation, more stores opened up. There are hundreds of herbs displayed on Qing Cao Xiang - like mint and Qi Li Xiang, just to name a couple.

The function of herbs: 　　Herbal medicines can help you recover early from illness, prolong your life, and make you strong, healthy and beautiful!

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:more than 6

C. Connection speed used in the classroom:dedicated connection

D. Number of years our classroom has been connected to the Internet:4-6

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

From School：Use dedicated T1 through Taiwan University and connect to Learning Network. 　　From Home：Members use analog and ADSL modems to upload and exchange information http://gsh.taiwanschoolnet.org/gsh2004/3096/english/2004paper02.htm#4

4. Problems We Had To Overcome

　　(1)Different schedules: Our members consist of different classes of freshman, junior and senior students. Seniors have a lot of pressure to study, and junior students have a lot of reports to write and activities to attend. It is hard to coordinate schedules among members. We often get together in the afternoon after section exams or go out at night. 　　(2)Documentation acquisitions: Herbal medicine is handed down mostly by ear and mouth, so recorded documents are hard to find. Luckily, herbal medicine storekeepers were very helpful and gave us a lot of information. 　　(3)Interview and oral communications: We didn’t know how to interact with people we interviewed and how to present conversation topics. Members were nervous and took a long time to come up with questions, and things became awkward sometimes. In addition, most elderly people spoke in Taiwanese, so some members could not understand them and had to rely on volunteer mothers for translation. 　　(4)4. Too many photographs: It was hard to decide which ones to use. http://gsh.taiwanschoolnet.org/gsh2004/3096/english/2004paper02.htm#5

5. Our Project Sound Bite

　　Through the web fair competition, we gained a deeper understanding of Qing Cao Xiang’s product culture and developed the utmost respect for the wisdom of our ancestors. We were made aware of the extensive uses of herbal medicine. The miracle of herbal medicine that Mother Nature provides us can foster our well being. So we must take care of Mother Nature in return. http://gsh.taiwanschoolnet.org/gsh2004/3096/english/2004paper02.htm#6

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

The curriculum of the junior high school emphasizes the use of native resources in learning. By using the local community, ethnic groups and Qing Cao Xiang as the focus of our project, teachers and students together can disseminate information regarding the herbal medicine culture. We hope to contribute to the development of the herbal medicine culture in Wan Hua. In the meantime, we will participate in various activities, including maintaining one’s health with herbal medicine during the fall and winter. http://gsh.taiwanschoolnet.org/gsh2004/3096/english/2004paper03.htm#1

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

Computers, software, telephones, TVs, radios, digital cameras, scanners, tape recorders, books, newspapers, interviews. Computers in School: Intel Pentium III 773MHz 128MB SDRAM 15'CRT 16X DVD-ROM Software: Microsoft Windows 98SE, Microsoft Windows ME, Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional, Microsoft Windows XP Home/ Professional, Microsoft Word, Microsoft FrontPage, Microsoft Excel, Dr. Eye 2002, Ulead PhotoImpact 6.0/7.0, Macromedia Flash 5.0/MX, Adobe Photoshop 7, Ahead Nero 5.5.9.17, Jruler, Winzip, WinRAR , Windows Commander 32 , CuteFTP 5.0XP http://gsh.taiwanschoolnet.org/gsh2004/3096/english/2004paper03.htm#2

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

1. Internet Technology: Used the computer network for research, and used e-mail to consult with herbal medicine experts, scholars and government organizations. 2. Visiting Stores: The whole group visited Qing Cao Xiang, interviewed storekeepers, and learned ingenious uses for herbs. 3. Taipei Documents Committee: Found some documents about Qing Cao Xiang. Mr. Zhang and Mr. Bian at the committee were extremely helpful and provided us with a lot of information. 4. Qing Cao Xiang Friendship Association: Numerous volunteers in the association helped us find many photographs of herbal medicine. 5. We went to the Specimen Hall in the Botanic Department of Taiwan University to interview the author of Taiwan Herbal Medicine, Mr. Gao Mu Cun. 6. We went to schools and communities to promote herbal medicines. http://gsh.taiwanschoolnet.org/gsh2004/3096/english/2004paper03.htm#3

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

　　Today, the use of herbal medicine is more specific to the elderly population and to those seeking alternative treatment. In order for citizens to be aware of the value of herbal medicine, it is necessary to promote its usefulness and educate the public. A group of junior high students participating in the activities of Qing Cao Xiang had pleasantly surprised the storekeepers, and had given this declining business new strength. http://gsh.taiwanschoolnet.org/gsh2004/3096/english/2004paper03.htm#4

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

(1) Parents： Called to arrange interviews, provided financial support, provided transportation. (2) Storekeepers： Provided the names and photographs of herbal medicine, and the secret prescriptions for them. (3) Experts and scholars： Taught us how to use herbal medicines, and how to recognize herbal medicine varieties. (4) Public affairs organizations： Provided planning and documentation for turning Qing Cao Xiang into an important tourist spot We would like to thank the following people for all their help from the bottom of our hearts http://gsh.taiwanschoolnet.org/gsh2004/3096/english/2004paper03.htm#5

5) Discoveries, Lessons and Surprises (Optional)

Discoveries：Before participating in the web fair for schools in Taiwan, we never realized that precious herbal medicines exist at waysides, in the mountains, by the rivers, and even in yards. Visiting Qing Cao Xiang completely changed our impression of herbal medicines in that they are not only used for medication, but also for many other functions. Lessons： Qing Cao Xiang has many secret prescriptions for treating rare diseases. They could disappear if not recorded. The conclusion is that we should compile a book of secret prescriptions. Surprises：Now that we have discovered the broad knowledge of herbal medicines passed down from our ancestors, we are participating in efforts to renew the public interest in herbal medicine. This includes showing them how to use the herbs in everyday living – health, food, and beauty. Presently, herbs are not only used for medication, but also for food, bathing, perfume, and art (textile dyeing, printing). http://gsh.taiwanschoolnet.org/gsh2004/3096/english/2004paper03.htm#7