Reflection
Angeline Yang
Everything started three months ago when my teammates and I formed a team to compile this perfect report. The report may seem simple, but in the process, we experienced a multitude of things, from initially finding interview subjects/organizations to actually interviewing those individuals to taking the initiative to do things that could help raise environmental awareness in our society as a whole. Starting with finding interview subjects, I understood how to deal with external factors and make contingency plans so that we wouldn't have to start the entire report over due to no one who couldn’t accept our interview when the topic had already been decided. Later on, through continuous effort, we finally succeeded in scheduling a time with the person we wanted to interview. Just scheduling a meeting with the interview subject taught me valuable lessons like communicating the purpose of the appointment, choosing convenient time and place, confirming the details, etc. Next, teamwork was also an essential skill throughout the entire research. Learning how to allocate tasks, such as who should handle recording or filming when going out for interviews, or who should take notes during the interview process, was crucial. After the interview, we collaborated to sort through the documents and transcribe the recordings, discussing our experiences throughout the entire process. Similarly, when working on this project, we put the suggestions into practice, such as making a tree out of milk cartons, we also assigned the tasks and every member paid his or her fair share of contribution. Without teamwork skills, the whole report would have been a disaster, and everyone would not be willing to compromise for each other. Finally, the most important issue for us was how to protect our environment from harm. Completing the entire report, I realized that a significant reason for the abundance of trash in the ocean is the behavior of the people in Taiwan. Before doing this report, I knew that people tended to litter on the beach, but what surprised me was that some attributed the litter to migrant workers. In conclusion, to extend the lifespan of the ocean, the first thing that needs to be done is us—humans.
Amy Chen
First of all, I am honored to participate in this project. Through the collection and analysis of secondary and primary sources, I have learned many things that cannot be learned in Taiwan’s education system, such as teamwork, recording and reviewing manuscripts, reading literature, etc. My experience has been fulfilling and rewarding. In addition, the most important thing is that while writing the report, I got to know many of my research partners and the Zhan Douji organization and made a wide range of connections. Then, I also realized the preciousness of time. Our team spent up to three months on this research. With sufficient sleep as a necessity, I started to find ways to balance studies and this project. Precious. Among them, what impressed me the most was the process of the team’s off-campus visit. We worked together to contact Ms. Cheer and her team and prepare pre-departure information. We were all very nervous until we arrived at the seaport. Fortunately, the interview ended perfectly due to sufficient preparation. During the visit, we actually witnessed the mess we made to the ocean and the ecological impact caused by pollution, and we couldn't help but sigh. Later, when we saw the machine “Azure Fighter” with our own eyes, we realized how much impact this machine could have on Taiwan's waters, and we also had a glimpse of hope in protecting the ecosystem. During the interview, we learned about the harm caused by plastic waste in daily life. Since then, everyone in our team has taken the initiative to use environmentally friendly tableware. After returning to school, we integrated environmental themes with the Christmas celebration by turning discarded milk cartons found in the school into Christmas ornaments. The purpose of Christmas this year was to help people realize the importance of recycling plastic waste. The essential point was to raise awareness and empower young people to acknowledge the purpose of protecting the ocean. All in all, I think our team has benefited a lot, and we continue applying this to our daily lives.
Amber Chang
To commence, my involvement in the Cyberfair Club dates back to my sixth-grade year, and as a current tenth-grader, I have actively engaged in four consecutive group projects. The collaborative efforts of my teammates in the latest project not only astounded me, but also significantly enhanced my understanding and fond memories of teamwork compared to previous experiences. The overarching theme of our group this time revolved around ocean conservation and the mitigation of marine pollution. Throughout the entirety of our collaborative process, I developed a profound appreciation for the significance of teamwork. Each team member brought their unique expertise to the table, contributing to the successful achievement of our mission and yielding the fruitful outcomes we are currently celebrating. Our research delved deeply into the extensive literature available, aiming to comprehend the severity of marine pollution and its far-reaching impact on the ecological environment. It became evident that issues such as plastic and garbage pollution posed substantial threats to the marine ecosystem, inflicting serious harm upon marine life. This realization further solidified our dedication to the cause of ocean conservation. Additionally, we sought to raise awareness of the environmental crisis in the oceans through creative initiatives. This involved crafting a Christmas tree from recycled milk cups, conducting interviews with prominent figures such as Azure Fighter’s founder, Chen Si-ying, and Cheer, and developing a dedicated website. Our primary objective was to encourage widespread participation in conservation activities and foster collective efforts toward reducing marine pollution, beginning with small but impactful actions in our daily lives. The group collaboration was characterized by a sense of shared responsibility, with each member actively contributing from information gathering to report preparation. This effort underscored the indispensable role of a responsible attitude in ensuring smooth teamwork. Moreover, I acquired valuable skills such as active listening to teammates’ opinions, effective communication, and providing assistance for those encountering difficulties. Considering all aspects, I am confident that this experience will yield a profound and lasting impact on my future learning and life, constituting an integral part of my ongoing personal growth journey.
Tzu-Yu Huang
Taking everything into account, we ocean guardians worked on this project, proceeded with preparation, and analyzed the documents at our disposal within three months, and it is my pleasure to work with these people. We enthusiastically discussed and evaluated which topic we should implement, and after 2 weeks, we decided to choose the topic of protecting the ocean for mother nature. Then, we dove into in-depth research, interviews, and human practices. Throughout the process, we went from the beginning where we were concerned and questioning whether we were doing the right things. Then, after research and collaboration with the professionals of Azure Fighter, we started to build up confidence and have good solidarity in the group. Finally, after reaching the final stage of analyzing and constructing reports, graphs, and the website, we were very proud of and optimistic about this project. The process was truly a delightful memory that I will never forget. In addition, we collected trash, interviewed people from Azure Alliance, built a Christmas tree with milk cups, and even had conflicts. Those moments when we were together are the memories that I loved. We were just like a family who helped and supported everyone individually no matter what situation we found ourselves in. Even though we might fight and have different opinions among us, we could overcome these challenges in order to take one step further. On the other hand, the topic of Azure Fighter is very attractive to me as it is one of the coolest inventions I’ve seen through my entire life. In the beginning, only researching and looking at the pictures, I felt that I would not be satisfied with that. Then, by allowing myself to see the structure of Azure Fighter, how it collects floating garbage amazed me. With the fruitful information I collected from the interviews and experience of watching Azure Fighter to move, I confidently came back and focused on introducing and detailing the structure of the Azure Fighter. In the meantime, I found the trash spread everywhere throughout the port, and this just made me very furious. I know that this is a problem that one person can not easily handle. Yet, I’m still looking forward to finding solutions to this problem in the future!
Ryan Tsai
Listen up! Everyone. We can start with our daily habits and insist on not taking single-use plastic products. Instead, bring our own eco-friendly cups and make an impact on the people around you with your love for the earth. This is a slogan I would like to call for everyone to do something for our environment. In this past expo, From the initial information search to the final on-site interview, actually it was a grind for me, but I witnessed many things that no one could imagine. Practice, many areas that I don’t touch daily, I am constantly immersed myself in learning at every moment. Honestly, this is my first time to participate in the Cyberfair. The most important factors motivating me to keep working on the Cyberfair project are practice and marine pollution problems that have emerged one after another in recent years. For this reason, we are determined to explore what causes damage to the current environment to be so damaged and what solutions to problems. Before the plan was launched, we searched a lot and collected data. I found that the ocean is no longer the clear ocean I thought it was because it has been completely destroyed by humans, which leads to marine life barely surviving. Besides, I find something quite ironic. It is obvious that there is an ecosystem of mutual benefit and symbiosis, and we are part of it. Reflecting on our behavior, we are not doing our part to preserve the relationship; instead, we are contributing to harming our oceans. What is left in the ocean is garbage. I have heard a famous saying, "As long as the mode of thought and behavior has not changed, don't expect to change the results." If we talk about ocean pollution without practical action, pollution will only become increasingly serious due to human development. Of course, there are many environmental groups with opinions and practices that are dedicated to making the earth we live in better. Among them, the group led by Chen Siying is a good example. They are inspiring people to improve the marine environment. The spirit also deeply moved me. We should be aware that even though we pick up as much garbage as we can, it won’t solve the main cause of garbage. This is not enough. What we have to do is redouble our effort and integrate everyone’s responsibility into environmental protection to ensure our oceans can be restored to their former glory . Environmental pollution is everyone’s persistence, which are also two important factors to achieve environmental protection.
Armani Lin
The ocean issue has long been a common topic of conversation, yet those who truly set out to resolve these problems are scarce. Our team has identified a few – such dedicated individuals like "Chen Siying" as a pioneer. Her contributions have extended far beyond merely clearing marine debris; she has saved countless lives and provided comfort to many souls. For our generation, the sight of garbage in the ocean has become an unfortunate norm, but for the older generation, this isn't necessarily the case. The state of ocean cleanliness impacts more than just the fish; it encompasses humans and the entire ecosystem. The adage "pull one hair and the whole body moves" perfectly encapsulates this issue. Eating fish has become a staple in people's diets, yet the nutritional composition of fish species is no longer the same as the past. Since the Industrial Revolution, human pollution of the oceans has steadily worsened, and it wasn't until recent times, when human survival began to be threatened, that there was a collective pause for reflection on how to remedy the situation. However, the vast majority stop at mere contemplation without actual practice, leading to the perpetual unresolved issue of ocean pollution. It is fortunate that "Chen Siying" and her team have begun to implement measures, thereby reversing the decline. While working with them, we constantly pondered, "Where does this trash come from?" and "Where will it go?" In our education, the principle of not littering has become an absolute rule. However, human nature is inherently lazy. We prefer not to spend an extra few seconds sorting waste, yet we desire a clean environment—a stark irony. Even as research into replacing plastics and other non-decomposable products continues, the rate at which we produce waste far outpaces the rate of such research, leading to the current predicament. The hands-on actions of our project brought us face to face with the harsh realities of the problem, prompting us to rethink our approach to solving it. Ultimately, the crux of the issue does not rest with our policies or educational systems but within our hearts. Only by changing our inherent laziness can we decrease the likelihood of garbage entering the ocean.
Ginia Wu
Throughout the preparation process, I have candidly experienced what is called the “best team ever.” It is my pleasure to work with these brilliant people, and I tremendously enjoyed our journey from the start to the end. I have never imagined the combination of each other’s personalities could be so astonishing. I have acknowledged the significance of protecting the ocean as it is a crucial part of our mother Earth. With this insight, I know a lot of people understand that it is essential their responsibility to keep the ocean clean, but there are hardly any people who really take action to address the issue. One thing I could do from this experience was to carry out daily actions like bringing my own tableware instead of using disposable cutlery. I can also bring my own water bottle anywhere to avoid using plastic cups, and I carry reusable grocery bags whenever I shop in the farmers’ market. I have seen myself and peers dramatically change and grow, especially in the finalization stage. In the beginning, they were all not motivated to look for information and write the report for our website, but with the encouragement of the teacher and the frequent prompts by the team leader, they were able to complete the given tasks by themselves. I personally think it was a precious moment to cherish as all teammates were responsible for their assigned jobs. Although sometimes we might face the challenge of not completing the tasks on time, we would manage our time wisely to ensure our progress was not left behind. In the future, we will run an after-school program that focuses on entrepreneurship. We hope to establish a non-profit organization that hopefully could cooperate with other impressive organizations like the Azure Alliance. With this cooperation, we can increase the influence of our organization and raise funds. Those funds will later be used to deliver talks or start events to empower people’s recognition of the SDGs Goals. I believe with the teamwork and the harmony we have built in our team, this business idea will be a great success, hoping to help save the Earth with the hands of a few passionate high school students. In the end, my biggest rewarding experience from this project was learning how to be a good leader. Our interviewee, Ms. Cheer Chen once said, “A leader is the highest ceiling of the team,” which means that a leader can show the level of the team. How great a leader is, and then it brings out how great the team is.