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1. Description of Our Community
Minsyong, known as “Ta-ba” (transliterated from Taiwanese) in the past, is in the north of Chiayi downtown, and therefore has fairly convenient transportation. It is noted for its various produce, specialties, colorful history as well as historical sites. Hoanya, a tribe of Taiwanese plains aborigines, used to base the place as their tribe center. In 1920, Japanese government established Chiayi as a shire, Minsyong as a borough, and changed the name “Ta-ba” into Minsyong, for the officials thought the original was not presentable. Nowadays, Minsyong is an education heavyweight with the most number of universities in Taiwan, including National Chung Cheng University (NCCU), National Chiayi University (NCU), and Wufeng University (WFU). Minsyong arguably fosters rich culture, intelligent minds and being the home to some well-preserved historical sites, picturesque views, and distinctive buildings, which are known as “the eight wonders of Minsyong”. They are Chiayi Performing Arts Center, the Jade Pond of NCCU, Radio Taiwan International Minsyong Branch, Chiyi Alcohol Museum, Great Master Temple, The Haunted House of Minsyong, Treasure Forest Temple and Hutoubei Scenic Area.
2. Summary of Our Project
Built under the colonial rule of Japan, Minsyong Broadcast Center used to spread propaganda towards countries in South-East Asia and the coastal areas of China, aiming to pave the way for Japanese Empire’s southern expansion. Starting in 1938, the construction included signal-pumping machines, transformer station and dormitories, also with two T-shaped signal towers measuring 206 meters in height, which eventually became a distinctive landmark of Minsyong for their breathtaking appearances. At that time, the Japanese government had been allocating a large budget three years in a row for this building, primarily for military use though. Coming into full operation on September 28th, 1940, Minsyong Broadcast Center, five years later, shifted gear from creating propaganda for Japan to spreading political messages towards mainland China, as Taiwan was decolonized and taken over by the government of ROC. Throughout the past 70 years, it has stood the test of 9/21 and 10/22 earthquakes, towering over Chianan Plain without any structural reinforcement. It was not until 1999 that the pubic was allowed to go inside and take a closer look at what had been veiled for years. Eager to get a look-in of the vacuum tube prized at five million-ish dollars thirty years ago? Or the bullet holes on the only existing transmitter that was built during WWII. Let’s explore Minsyong Broadcast Center, which not only sees the development of broadcast in Taiwan from alpha to omega, but makes to the list of “Eight Wonders of Minsyong” in a local poll!
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:2-3
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):
Our school has long devoted to helping our teachers and students improve their digital skills. We have a 100M optical fiber cable connected to Chiyi County Education Network as an access to the Internet, and 1G optical fiber cable installed in school for local area network.
4. Problems We Had To Overcome
1. Case Study and the Topic Good tools are prerequisite to successfully performing a job. When we decided to go for the competition, a lot of factors had been taken into account in setting the topic, and at that point, the Eight Wonders of Minsyong had held our attention already. Eventually, all teachers and students agree on Minsyong Broadcast Center, one of the eight wonders and the only radio museum nationwide, as the topic for the competition. 2.Recruitment Given the fact that all members in the team are fifth graders, how to balance between the contest and school is the issue that concerns teachers and parents most. After several meetings and discussions, it is agreed that the contestants work for the project during noon recess every day and go on field trip every Wednesday afternoon. 3.Data Collecting After getting down to business, we found it extremely hard to get our hands on any data with respect to Minsyong Broadcast Center. Even though we tried on the Internet, there was little that we could obtain. A lot of them were merely one-page intro and many did not agree in content. Fortunately, during the visits, we were able to access some precious records preserved in Minsyong Broadcast Center, which eased us very much of our burden in collecting materials.
5. Our Project Sound Bite
In the event, we learned how radio functions in our regular lives, the history of Minsyong Broadcast Center, and the characters of the building, etc. The students are not only driven to learn more from the experience, but turn a lot sensitive at the place where they live. We planted an idea in their young minds, looking forward that the idea will one day go into full bloom, and then draw more people to foster our local culture.
6. How did your activities and research for this CyberFair Project support standards, required coursework and curriculum standards?
??Language Skills 1. Writing feedbacks about the interviews. 2. Framing questions for the interviews and compiling data. 3. Collecting materials via the Internet, books 4. Verbal skills in the interviews ??Comprehensive Skills 1. Groupwork and Work Allocation 2. Reflections on the activity, Interviewing skills, Self-Expression 3. Respect and Teamwork ??Liberal Arts 1. Knowing the purpose of the building’s exterior and interior designs ??Social Skills 1. The skills to do a research. 2. Develop the passion and love for our motherland. 3. Knowing the importance of heritage preservation. ??Technology Skills 1. Knowing how to use tech-products like voice pens, the Internet, computers, cameras, etc. 2. Basic Knowledge of webpage editing
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