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I have participated in many competitions in the past, but the special topic research for Taiwan School Net impacts me the deepest and urges me to learn the most. This task allowed me to learn how to design topics and how to explore issues. Most important of all, it taught me how to work in a team and distribute work with a team.
Over many weekends and holidays, we packed our ¡§basic equipment¡¨ as soon as we received the gathering calls, although we were still sleepy and not totally awake. Our loving parents would drive us to and from various destinations, such as libraries, McDonald's, MOS Burgers, the meeting room at Hong-yao's, and all the entrances to Xianji Rock. Countless hours were spent during lunch breaks, class meetings and group exercises. We had support form the principal, teachers and classmates. Teacher Min-Nan sacrificed his holidays and lunch breaks to help us out. We can never express enough our gratitude. We appreciate the wonderful homemade cookies (and local food from Hualien) provided by Aunt Wen, succulent nougats provided by Aunt Ting-yen, gift vouchers of MOS Burger and transportation pick-ups provided by Aunt Fu-yen, venues and refreshments provided by Aunt Hong-yao, delicious chocolate and lovely pens from Aunt Bo-ru after she got back from France, and gifts from Aunt Di-song after she got back from Japan. At last but not the least, we would like to thank our parents for their wonderful support to make our dreams come through. My father took pictures for us and mother contacted each organization that we required. Every little thing they did made wonders. Aunt Jin-wen even purchased laptop for us. The love from all the parents empowered the Ching Shin Junior High School 's top team!
Also, we would like to thank those aunts and uncles that agreed to be ¡§bugged¡¨ by us. Because of your selfish support, in addition to the foot print of Lu Tung-pin, one of the Eight Immortals, Xianji Rock also carries our footprints when we fought for the sustainability of the environment and strived to create a better future for this land we love so much!
No matter what our rewards would be, I believe that the perspirations, laughter, and even complaints Ching Shin Junior High School 's top team has witnessed will remain the fondest parts at the recess of our memories.
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It was not the first time that I worked with these classmates, but it was indeed the first time that we cooperated on such a large scale report that required webpage production, progress reports, field investigations and expert interviews.
Although we were encountered with some obstacles, we did our best and worked together to overcome obstacles. I appreciate wholeheartedly the efforts made by Teacher Chen, loving parents who sacrificed their leisure hours to help us out and project partners who went through all the difficult moments with me. Your support has carved out a wonderful memory that will last for the rest of my life.
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We cooperated this time for such a meaningful competition. Although these classmates had previously worked together for various projects, large or small in scale, this experience was totally new and different. We did not do it because of the demands from the teachers. Rather, we worked on the project because we were willing to. Our research topic, Xianji Rock, is a mountain region nearby and highly relevant to our life. In this hustle and bustle city, hiking in green wilderness has gradually become a luxury. Ability to breathe in fresh air has become something to feel envious for. People have no time even to get close to Xianji Rock, let along to understand her. During the project, we came to appreciate her beauty, i.e. an attractive ecosystem and amazing folklore and local culture. We got to spend time with friends on things we love. We also got to enhance our knowledge. I have to say a big thank-you to the assistance provided by Teacher Chen and all the loving mothers!!
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This experience allowed me to work with those who I had not worked with before. It was somewhat busy, but I really enjoyed it. Interviews and site investigations are new tasks that I had never done before. They enriched my experience. There is nothing like the great sense of achievement when I saw the zero-progress at the outset of the project increase to the current over 100 articles. They are the fruits of hard work.
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We have never participated in this competition before so we were a bit new to everything. Also, we need to say big thanks to our teachers and parents. Because of their instructions, we came to stay on track. It was not an easy job. Complaints were inevitable, but everything knew that we were willing to go through the process. No matter what the outcome may be, we all did our very best and learned a great deal during the process. We gained a lot of valuable experience. None of these can be bought with money. I believe that everybody will feel touched when they see the results after so many efforts!
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The long-term observations on Xianji Rock made me realize that the natural environment on this homeland requires everybody's efforts to maintain. Even though Xianji Rock is only a tiny hill, nobody is willing to pick up the trash that you see everywhere. The Earth is the most fundamental environment for human's survival. If we cannot even manage to take care of Xianji Rock as a basic unit in our hometown, we cannot expect ourselves to make contributions to protect the Earth.
This observation exercise enabled us to have strong views on the protection of natural environment and ecosystems, as one key issue in the future.
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This operation made me realize how important a piece of green is to a city with heavy bustling traffic. This also made me better understand all the plants and animals on Xianji Rock. Because some people ruin it without knowing its importance, we did this report so that people who are not aware of its existence can learn to love and protect it. They can go hiking at Xianji Rock during holidays.
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| Words of gratitude from volunteer mothers |
When my child told us that he would like to put together a team to participate in the special topic research for [Taiwan School Net], we discussed in details with him regarding the research contents during the previous years. My husband and I decided to support him in this meaningful, interesting and creative project. When we saw a bunch of kids getting busy and all hands-on, we really admire the organizer's insistence and courage. I saw a gleam of hope in education in Taiwan because of you. Our children are learning common sense and knowledge that books do not teach by getting involved in your activities. They are also developing persistence in research and concerns over culture, history, nature and the environment. We would like to express our gratitude for your dedications to the children!!
We have climbed and explore Xianji Rock so many times. Each time when we saw how the children play, it was always difficult to imagine they were already the first year students at junior high schools. What are the pressures to learn? What do they mean by ¡§dark¡¨ high schools? These lovely children never cease to amaze me and I cannot help but give them my applause time and again. Di Song is a chubby child, who is sincere, innocent and intelligent. Bo-ru is tall, slim and smart. Yen-ting smiles all the time. Fu Yan is pure and innocent. Wen is cute and quite. And my son Feng-yuan seems layback, but is always keen to get things done. Our children pull us closer together, closer to the school, to the teachers, to our communities and to our society.
How lucky these children are to have a [loving and dedicated] teacher, Ming-nan Chen? He sends out [calls one after another]. Our children always burst into laughter as soon as they receive text messages or emails sent by the teacher. Even us, who are no longer young, find it amusing. It seems that we were all living on the Mars and speaking in the Mars language. Who says that the pursuit of knowledge has to be a serious matter? We learn with children and grow with them. Thanks to all of you!
Over the course of few months, we watched the children grow, fight, learn and conduct interviews. None of them complained that they were tired. We felt sorry that our children had to work so hard but we were also pleased that they could persist along the way. We could only provide our support at the background and believed that the learning experience associated with ¡§Taiwan School Net¡¨ would be the best part of your memories!
We have seen countless meetings. We also watched the children typing always with their tiny and chubby figures on the computer keyboards, when they were all attentive in getting the reports done as soon as possible. During the mornings of holidays, they looked rather colorful in their plain clothes. Digital cameras managed to take 1,435 beautiful pictures of the children. Every child has their own fancy and creative ideas. I have to say that they are just fabulous!
Finally, I would like to thank all of you that have embraced our children. We cannot express enough our gratitude to all of you!!
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