School: Taipei Municipal Shilin Junior High School
    Taipei, , Taiwan

8 students, ages 13-15 worked together to complete this CyberFair project on March 10, 2024. They have participated in CyberFair in the following year(s): 2018,2019,2020,2021,2022,2023

Classes and Teachers: Shih Kuan-Chou, Huang I-Yu, Huang Ching-Yu

E-Mail contact:

Our School's Web Site: http://www.sljh.nss.tp.edu.tw/nss/p/index

1. Description of Our Community

Taiwan is a small island located in the Pacific Ocean, characterized by a subtropical and tropical climate with warm temperatures and diverse topography. From plains to high mountains, it features a variety of habitats and a high level of biodiversity. Our school is situated in the Shilin District of Taipei City, near areas with low-altitude hills and the Yangmingshan National Park.

2. Summary of Our Project

The population density in Taiwan is very high, and human activities have altered the original natural environment, significantly impacting the island's ecosystem. Curious about amphibians, we want to understand the current situation in Taiwan, leading us to interview Teacher Cheng-En Li, who is involved in amphibian conservation work. Through Teacher Li's lecture, we gained a deeper understanding of Taiwan's amphibians and realized the serious issues caused by invasive species. Additionally, under Teacher Li's guidance, we conducted nighttime observations near our school at Zhishan Yan. To raise awareness about Taiwan's amphibians, we organized an exhibition about Taiwan's endemic species and invasive species. We hope that by increasing knowledge about Taiwan's amphibians, and we can work together to reduce the harm caused by invasive species.

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:more than 6

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):

We mainly use our school computer labs to search for information on the topic. On holidays, we use our personal computers and iPad to collect materials. Emails and Google Drive are often used to exchange information. Data and file transfer through emails and Google Drive are effective ways for our teamwork.

4. Problems We Had To Overcome

During the process of working on our project, we planned and organized a night observation. We selected the location, planned the route, and assigned the necessary items during our club time. Due to the need to coordinate with Teacher Cheng-En Li and the convenient time for all participating students, there were limited available dates. After careful preparation, we didn't anticipate the exceptionally dry and cold weather on the night of the observation. Most of the amphibians at Zhishan Yan, our chosen research site, were hiding. As a result, we only spotted many toads and two lizards. Though we didn't encounter a wide variety of amphibians, the activity allowed us to learn about the methods of observing and recording amphibians. We learned to distinguish different habitats, including broadleaf or coniferous forests, flowing or stagnant water bodies, and to record various animal behaviors. Additionally, we learned methods to differentiate between amphibian genders. Despite the significant difference from our initial expectations during the on-site night observation, we still gained valuable insights from the experience.

5. Our Project Sound Bite

In the process of working on our project, we started by getting to know Taiwan's amphibians and researching both endemic and invasive species online. Through listening to lectures by amphibian conservation expert, Teacher Cheng-En Li, and interviewing him, we not only gained a deeper understanding of Taiwan's amphibians but also became acutely aware of the environmental issues that invasive species might cause. Among a series of activities, our most memorable experience was the night observation. We went to Zhishan Yan near the school, observing amphibians living around us. These activities allowed us to better understand the current situation of Taiwan's amphibians and realize that everyone can contribute to environmental conservation.

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

1.The Domain of Language: From the interview drafts to the process, and the final record arrangement, all are completed and discussed by students and teachers. While correcting the records, we have to make the sentences and meanings be fluent. The process can help us improve our writing ability. 2.The Domain of Mathematics: We used SurveyCake to survey everyone's ideas about the concept of amphibians, and conducting a vote on artistic works related to amphibians. The statistical results are presented by using pie charts and bar graphs, making complex data easy to understand at a glance. 3.The Domain of Integrative Activities: Through this character interview, we gained an understanding of the job responsibilities of conservation workers and the related organization, which is helpful for planning future career development. In addition, through field observation activities, we gained a better understanding of the ecological environment around us. 4.The Domain of Social Studies: When studying the living environment and conditions of amphibians, we gained a deeper understanding of the geographical characteristics of Taiwan. In order to minimize the harm caused by invasive species to Taiwan, we also contemplated practical actions that individuals, communities, and even the related authorities can take. 5.The Domain of Arts and Humanities: In order to share our knowledge of amphibians with everyone, we collected information, created illustrations, and organized a visual and textual exhibition featuring Taiwan's endemic species and invasive species of amphibians. Additionally, we held a voting and prize draw event on campus to attract more people to learn about Taiwan's amphibian animals.

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

Our school provide almost all of the tools we need for this project, like computers, a digital camera, a video recorder, a printer, a scanner, etc. Computers and the internet are the most valuable tools for us because we used these tools and authorized software to organize documents and films and make the web page for our project. We also used smartphones to make appointments with interviewees and other people. In addition, the digital camera and the video recorder are quite useful because they captured valuable moments of the investigation.

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

We created posters featuring hand-drawn images by classmates to introduce Taiwan's endemic and invasive amphibian species, which were displayed on campus bulletin boards. Simultaneously, we organized online surveys, voting, and a lottery to attract more people to learn about Taiwan's amphibians. In addition, we presented reports in classrooms, sharing with classmates the investigation and recording methods we learned during our night observations, as well as the animals we observed. Through these activities, we hope to raise awareness about Taiwan's amphibians and encourage more people to care about our environments and the issues related to invasive species.

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

Participating in this project taught us how to delve deeply into a topic. Through data collection, we learn to create a comprehensive report by studying materials, creating posters, and conducting interviews. During the night field work, we discovered many unknown facts and stories, which could be the current situation of endemic and invasive species in Taiwan, or the challenges scientists may face during the field work. Throughout the process, we not only learned to analyze statistical data but also developed the courage and skills to interview others. Additionally, we realized that conservation of amphibians is truly a challenging work.

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

We created a poster introducing Taiwan's endemic and invasive amphibian species, which we displayed on the bulletin boards on campus for everyone to see. People could participate by scanning the QR code to fill out an online survey and vote. We will analyze the survey results and hold a lottery. Many teachers, students, parents, and alumni enthusiastically filled out the survey, providing strong support for our initiative. Additionally, several parents and teachers accompanied us during night observations, assisting and ensuring our safety.

5) Discoveries, Lessons and Surprises (Optional)

In the process of doing our project, we learned that careers related to amphibians extend beyond academic research. Opportunities include engagement in educational outreach, wildlife conservation, environmental assessment, and the creation of related products. In terms of career development and planning, these avenues are both attractive and offer many growth prospects. Additionally, despite Taiwan being an isolated small island, numerous introduced species may arrive due to human activities or shipping. Through interviews with the conservation worker, we learned that not all introduced species become invasive. Only a few of them turn invasive, but these invasive species can have serious impacts on ecology and the environment. Furthermore, during nighttime observations, we were surprised to discover that amphibians are not always readily visible; they tend to hide when the weather is cold. On that particular day, we only encountered a few toads and small geckos.