During this CyberFair project, I learned a lot of new knowledge about how Taiwan’s local businesses help the society and culture. While we were interviewing and visiting the factory, Mr. Cheng Xian Lee introduced us to their brand, Guantian Black Gold. This made me understand that sustainability and a circular economy are crucial. They also made me feel that it turns out that a small move can change so much. Also, I am very impressed that Mr. Cheng Xian Lee is willing to do something that few people agree on. I think this is not an easy thing to do. After that, when we are doing this project. I am responsible for making videos. At first, I feel like it is hard since I’m not familiar with the video editing applications. However, after a while, I’m getting more familiar with it by searching online for video editing methods. Then, this also makes me learn a new skill during this project.
With the progress of the times, the improvement of the technology has brought lots of harm to our environment. So our team wants to make these problems known to more people. Through the interview, I learned lots of information about chestnuts, which I would not have the chance to know before. And the Guantian Black Gold company we interviewed this time cares about the problem of the environmental protection and circular economy issues. They are committed to the invention of turning different kinds of agricultural waste in products. Besides these, they also collaborate with many influential companies and institutions, but at the same time they also went to local community to teach the elders the use of water chestnut. Through the whole progress of CyberFair, I also learn the importance of teamwork; without my teammate, we can’t finish the whole project.
Through our CyberFair project, I learned how Taiwan's local businesses can help the environment while promoting cultural traditions. While working with Guantian Black Gold Company, I learn about how discarded water caltrop shells can be turned into products like biochar, which reduces waste and supports environmental sustainability. Additionally, I noticed that combining traditional farming practices with modern technological ideas can create positive changes for the environment. I'm very impressed by Mr. Louis and how Guantian Black Gold's work in demonstrating how small local actions can inspire others and lead to solving global problems, proving that even simple ideas can have a significant impact on communities. Furthermore, this project has helped me appreciate the value of local industries and their role in tackling environmental challenges. These insights have motivated me to support sustainable innovation and Taiwan's cultural preservation.
Throughout this cyberfair project, I have improved my understanding for how local business plans can help sustain our environment. As the CEO of Guantain Black Gold mentioned, not a lot of companies wanted to use the water caltrop shells as the main material source; however, the work that Guantain did showed others who refused any kind of things can be reused for having a significant impact on societies and enhancing sustainable development. Therefore, the research on recycling water caltrop shells allowed me to amplify knowledge and capability of translating research contents. Moreover, the role of the website designer in this project had trained my patience on another level. Making the website requires a lot of time and patience in laying out every device’s block. After getting familiar with the system, I have now gained a new skill of making a website that can also be utilized in other places.
While working on this project, I received many helpful skills for my future endeavors, and the concept of sustainability within companies aware of global warming. The interview with the CEO of Guantian Black Gold, Mr. Lee, allowed me to understand how Caltrop Shells, a seamingless meaningless ingredient, can be transformed into a substitute material in many products. Throughout the experience in researching, I found out how companies collaborate in a way that benefits both sides. Mr. Lee also emphasized on the importance of pre-planning a complete idea before starting a company. Mr. Lee’s belief in the importance of planning allows me to include this skill within other aspects of my academic and future work life. Overall, I believe this project allows me to work and cooperate with other people in a calculated manner through pre-planning events.
Through this CyberFair project, I had gained lots of new skills and useful experiences. As I was doing most of the research and the arrangement for our presentation, it has proved to be far more challenging compared with my expectation. It requires cross-referencing of many references with regard to the factuality and authenticity of the information gathered as an answer to the topic being asked. Sometimes, it was too much to put all the information together in a clear and concise format. Nevertheless, with this process, I enhanced my ability to analyze and filter essential details.
Throughout the competition, I understood that local business has an important role in sustainable development. I am particularly impressed by Guantian Black Gold's work with schools and other industries. The process of achieving sustainability by converting caltrop is very meaningful, as it indicates the idea of the circular economy. Furthermore, the interview with Mr. Lee changed my point of view about sustainable practices in Taiwan. This has further encouraged my critical thinking about the management of resources and the integration of an economy. This experience gave me the capacity to improve both in conducting research and in writing, changing my view regarding local companies since I see the application of sustainability in a community demanding creativity and teamwork. Eventually, this competition urged me to take proactive steps toward a more sustainable and resource-conscious future.
Working on the “Guantian Black Gold” website structure project” has been a special experience that hep me understand the sustainable practices and their role in local industries. This project taught me how the local water caltrop industry in Tainan can combine tradition with modern ideas to solve environmental problems. For example, turning caltrop shells into biochar is a way to reduce the waste and pollution and create useful eco-friendly products. Moreover, this project also helped me understand the importance of protecting the environment and supporting local communities at the same time. Through this experience, I improved my teamwork and research skills and obtained the knowledge that any small ideas can make a big difference to the country, or even the world. This showed me that even small local efforts can make a positive impact on the world.
During the CyberFair project, I deepened my understanding of local businesses and sustainability. As we mentioned before in the project, there aren’t a lot of companies that want to solve the problems of large amounts water caltrop shells waste. However, Mr. Cheng Xian Li, the founder of Guantian Black Gold, refused to give up, keeping his passion for discovering any new chances for water caltrop shells. Which eventually did work so well that he invented biochar. I admired his passion and appreciated the hard work he had done. It has encouraged me to think more critically about the challenges facing our communities and the role I can play in contributing to positive change. Eventually, I hope this project can let more people know about local businesses and support the progress they made. In this way, I hope in the future not only Taiwan, but people around the world can know the Taiwan’s local businesses and industries. Beyond this, this project enriched my knowledge, providing valuable insights that will benefit me in the future.
