School: Ryan International School
    Faridabad, Haryana , India

4 students, ages 17 worked together to complete this Doors to Diplomacy project on March 15, 2012. They have participated in Doors to Diplomacy in the following year(s): 2011

Classes and Teachers: Mr. Sudhir Dwivedi, Adarsh, Akshay, Shifa, Rishav

E-Mail contact:

Our School's Web Site: http://www.ryanfaridabad.co.in

1. Description of Our Team

As our grade 11th started, Shifa, 17, Rishav, 17, Adarsh, 17 and Akshay 17, were approached for this competition. The idea of this competition was understood and we gave our names as a team for this competition. All of us joined together as a team as all the students had a sync and understanding towards the concept of the competition. Here, Rishav and Akshay, having great knowledge of the latest happenings on internet, were the people who did the job of making the website i.e. the designing, uploading all the information and looking into the technical matter related to the project website. Shifa and Adarsh, having all the skills over writing, explanation and presenting the work in a simple yet formal manner, were the people who wrote all the information that has been uploaded in the website. Our coach, Mr. Sudhir helped us in providing aid in minute problems, they also gave us the overall platform in school to work upon this project. They availed us with all the equipments and things required from the school, for smooth working process of the project.

2. Summary of Our Project

Habitat Salvation discusses about the various environmental issues which further has led to healthcare issues. These environmental issues are the consequences of human actions which are the core factors to give birth to our Raging Planet. The project is about the causes and effects which are destroying this planet, further leading to the raging planet and how we can SAVE the planet. Technically speaking, we are talking about how can we Save the Planet which has been destroyed by us only! Also, this website enlightens people about the issue, its causes, effects, solutions, initiatives taken by the Governments of different or affected countries to reduce its impact and also some initiatives taken by our school, Ryan International School. The same pattern is followed in the environmental issues as well as healthcare issues.

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:4-6

4. Problems We Had To Overcome

The main problem we had to face during this project was of “time”, which is a major issue. All the students have been busy with their academic schedule. But managed to balance their academics as well their online project also, very well by working late and utilizing their free classes to work on this project. The Willingness to work on such a great platform also motivated the students. We also had to face the technical challenges posed by web design. While uploading the content on the website, we faced the problem of word limit of data. Our content was exceeding the limit that is of 800 KB. So, we had to reduce the content part by reducing the number of topics. Also, the website proved to be recalcitrant and uncooperative at times, but with a little tinkering and a little assistance from the Help menu, everything worked! In spite of problems encountered, all the students managed to complete this project in the best way possible.

5. Our Project Sound Bite

This Online Project competition has taught all the students, about the efforts required in the making up of a website. Working as a team, how they will work in future in the open world was a new exposure for all of them.

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

As our project is on the Health and Environment Awareness, our website strives to address the content from the official and main provider of information about the issue, For example, we have taken the Healthcare Related topics , we have adopted the standards maintained by the WHO(World Health Organization). Our school has already been an active contributor to create awareness about environment and health. Also according to our school board affiliation CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education), has introduced Environmental Studies as a supplementary subject for the students till grade 10, which proves to play an important role in our lives. The students learnt about the latest happenings and trends of the issues, facts about certain issues, have differentiated between myths and facts, and also learn the new methods by which we can present the information. We can understand diplomacy and international issues by going in depth of any issue, trying to give possible solutions/resolutions to the problem and also try to find out the efforts made by the other nations to solve the problem. And if solution has been quite effective in the positive sense then till what extent has it solved the issue. Usage of internet for teaching as well as learning has been some kind of boon rather than the traditional methods. That could be because internet provides information that has been collected for all over the globe rather than specified to a certain region. Also, internet uses different methodology of teaching and learning, that is, using three-dimensional (3-D) representations and multimedia objects help in better understanding thus better retention and in addition it gives a boost to the interest of the person to study that topic.

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

Internet and laptops has been very important tool for the students to work on this project. All the students had their own laptops which they used in the making of this website. The Computers and internet connection provided by the school and at home also was a part of tools that we used while doing this project. The other tools used by the students include Digital Still cameras for clicking images, computer software’s such as Microsoft Word and Photoshop for word and image editing respectively. Libraries were approached for the selection of the topic of the project as well as the selection of subtopics in the project and Books and Newspapers were referred to the latest information on such subtopics. When the students could not meet up or have a discussion over the issue, all of them were in contact with each other to exchange ideas, how to implement, what to do, how to do, what has been done, what our next target to achieve, etc. Our cellular phones helped us to be in regular contact either by phone call or text messages.

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

We will act as “Ambassadors” of our website Habitat Salvation, by promoting it mostly through internet. As all the students are familiar with the connection across the globe, this will help all of them in the “advertising” part of the project. We wish to make pages and groups on very much popular Facebook. Here is the link to our Facebook Socialising Page: https://www.facebook.com/HabitatSalvation The team has already started informing the friends and acquaintances about the website project over which the team had been working on and have asked for their reviews over that also.

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

There already has been a widespread awareness about the environmental as well as health related issues and problems, but a very small population has come forward to fight against these problems, help in the process of prevention and educate people about the issues. Special cases can be seen in the awareness programs related to health care facilities. Today, also in a developing nation such as India, health care is not complete and educating people is the biggest challenge. Being educated and also educating people about the various actions taken by the Government makes this project different from the rest. Yes, people and even the developers have learned new things about the topic. Many of the friends have viewed the webpage and have liked the concept of bringing all the necessary and basic information all under one website. We have received few positive as well as few negative feedbacks regarding long explanations, so the team has worked upon rewriting the same information in a more compressed and presentable form. This website gives them detailed information of all the 16 issues of environment as well as health, specifying what it means, causes, effects and precautions. Few also include some additional information. Realizing that your web site may not have been up very long, describe how your involvement in this project has strengthened the 'relationship' between your school and your local community.

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

Our project did not involve with the other members of the community as helpers in this project. Major work which can be seen on the website is done by Shifa, Akshay, Adarsh and Rishav, with consistent dedication, co-ordination and of course guidance by the coach, Mr. Sudhir.

5) Discoveries, Lessons and Surprises (Optional)

Yes, there were some interesting discoveries made by the team while doing this online project on such an interesting and wide issue. The knowledge level of the tem students widened and also thought of new solutions which were completely of a new concept. The team also became aware of the massive effects and destruction made by few known phenomenon such as waste dumping, energy, pesticides, food safety, hygiene etc.