School: Chaparral Star Academy
    Austin, Texas, United States

4 students, ages 11-12 worked together to complete this CyberFair project on February 24, 2016. They have participated in CyberFair in the following year(s): Chaparral Star Academy

Classes and Teachers: Prajinta Sthapitanonda Pesqueda

E-Mail contact:

Our School's Web Site: http://www.chaparralstaracademy.com

1. Description of Our Community

Austin is one of the fastest growing cities in the nation and has over 1 million people living in and around it. It is a green city with many efforts to reduce carbon footprints.

2. Summary of Our Project

The website explains environmental issues and ways to live a greener cleaner life.

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:not sure

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):

We had a classroom station of 3 desktops , and every student has their own school issued android tablet.

4. Problems We Had To Overcome

None of the students had ever built a website before, so we had to learn how to add content and problem solve. We learned quickly and learned from our mistakes as we went along.

5. Our Project Sound Bite

EcoAustin will inform individuals about ecological problems and their consequences as well as possible ways to solve these problems for a greener, cleaner community!

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

Research was the number one skill we use in class that was reinforced through this technology project. We also learned to put things together in the most effective way which increased our writing skills, grammar competencies, and overall ability to communicate effectively. We delegated tasks to members of the group and worked collaboratively.We learned about the ways to protect the environment and remedy the problems we all face in the 21st century.

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

We learned how to add videos,links,pictures,galleries,how to highlight, how to change the opacity of images and boxes, how to research, and how to make titles 3-D or animated.

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

Much of our correspondence was through email and a few phone contacts. It was very educational to gather information from various agencies and individuals. Some were surprised to hear that 6th graders were doing this kind of project, but they were all pleased to know that we are so young yet so concerned about our environment and eager to do things to protect it. Our school is modifying their re-cylcing program as a result and going to a reduced energy initiative to keep lights at 50%.

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

Our school will add components to its recycling plan as a result of our project and begin a 50% energy initiative to reduce usage of flourescents in the school. We partner with several local businesses who support us with money and volunteers who will work with us to make our school a green one.

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

Students have met with administration and board members to design a path forward of conservation and environmental awareness.

5) Discoveries, Lessons and Surprises (Optional)

We have learned how to protect our eco-system in a variety of ways. We also learned that learning can be self-directed and we learn from our mistakes and from each other in ways that make learning a fun and exciting enterprise!