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1. Description of Our Community
Hsien-His, our hometown, is located on the west of Chang-Hua county in Taiwan. It faces the straits of Taiwan. Most people think that Hsien-His is just a small town of simple-minded folkways. Besides, it is a town of strong wind. But this time, we discover there is a group of people who involve in local cultures and traditional crafts. Through making this project, we know better about our hometown.
2. Summary of Our Project
Huang Hsing-Wu, an odd man in our hometown, gives up his high salary job in Formosa Plastics Group. He devotes himself to the traditional craft – flour miniatures. We are so curious about his change. We want to know what flour miniatures are. Why do flour miniatures have such magic for him? And how to make flour miniatures? The most important thing is that the different roles and functions of flour miniatures in Chinese history. Take a look at our project, and you’ll find the answer.
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:2-3
E. Additional comments concerning your computer and/or Internet access (Optional):
Our school uses two T1 network wires to connect the Internet. We set up firewall, and adopt NAT system to complelte the environment. Except our web server, we link every server with Linux system and build up the whole Intranet environment, thus provide basic services. All the students involving in this project have either ADSL services at home.
4. Problems We Had To Overcome
Problem 1: It was not easy for us to match up everyone’s time. Too many curricular activities have occupied our time. So we didn't have enough time to discuss and make the project at school.
Solution: We started to divide our work to several parts. Then everyone could use their time well to finish their parts at home. Besides, we communicated and integrated our data by a small meeting after school. On weekends, we went to interview the master makers and cooperated to make the project.
Problem 2: It wasn’t easy for us to search for the reference relative to the flour miniature.
Solution: At first, we wanted to find books about the flour miniature. Unfortunately, there are few books written about the topic. We used the Internet to surf what we needed. The traditional crafts become more and more important. So many people pay much attention to them. We found lots of information about research reports and investigation. In addition to that, the master makers we interviewed also gave us edifications and directions.
Problem 3: It was hard for us to translate.
Solution: It’s partly because “English” isn’t our native language. It’s partly because of our topic- the flour miniature that is a traditional craft. Some words are hard to be translated into “English”. But we didn’t give up. We asked for our teachers to help.
5. Our Project Sound Bite
Originally, we feel our hometown is just an out-of-the-way village. But through making the project, we discover that there are so many amazing people, events and things in our hometown. Maybe all of them will gradually fall off. That’s why we try our best to make this project. We want more people to know this traditional craft.
6. How did your activities and research for this CyberFair Project support standards, required coursework and curriculum standards?
Generally speaking, students in Taiwan spend most time dealing with the exams at school and have few chances to discover or research something. We are no exception. However, through this activity, we have more knowledge about making a project, writing a report and making a web site. How to integrate what we learned in different subjects is the most important experience for us.
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