Project Category: 8. Local Music and Art Forms
Project Title: Hsinchu Glass, The Beauty of Artistic Creation
URL of your Project Web Site: https://www.kcis.hc.edu.tw/CyberFair/2025/index.htm
URL of your Project Bibliography Page: https://www.kcis.hc.edu.tw/CyberFair/2025/6-1.htm
URL of School Web Site (optional): https://www.kcis.hc.edu.tw/HsinchuCampus/index.html
Date Project was Finished: 14th March, 2025
Name of School or Educational Institution: Kang Chiao International School
City: East District, Hsinchu City
Country: Taiwan
Names of the teachers and/or classes that participated: Two teachers and students of Classes 1 to 5
How many students worked on this project? 5
Ages of students who worked on this project: 11 years – 12 years

Description of Our Community

Hsinchu City is located in northern Taiwan, Republic of China, and is rich in silica sand, a raw material for glass, as well as natural gas. In 1939, due to military and medical research needs, Japan established Taiwan’s first company producing high-quality glass products in Hsinchu. With easy access to raw materials and skilled glass-making artisans, Hsinchu gradually became a hub for glass factories.

By 1950, the industry primarily produced bottles, glass tubes, light bulbs, lampshades, and household glassware. During its peak from the 1960s to the 1970s, decorative items, lighting fixtures, vases, and Christmas ornaments dominated production, creating approximately one-third of Hsinchu City’s employment opportunities. However, due to the 1980s oil crisis and other societal changes, the Hsinchu glass industry faced challenges and began to decline.

In 1991, Hsinchu City Cultural Affairs Bureau designated the glass industry as a local cultural industry. With support from both national and local efforts, glass art was promoted, attracting many artists and enthusiasts to engage in glass craftsmanship and artistic creation. Hsinchu City Government established the Hsinchu Glass Craft Museum, organized the Zhubei International Glass Art Festival, and launched the Golden Glass Award, steering the glass industry toward cultural and artistic development, thereby revitalizing Hsinchu’s glass heritage.

Summary of Our Project

This project explores Hsinchu glass art through activities such as data analysis, video viewing, field visits, DIY experiences, expert interviews, and guided tours. Through a one-day visit and guided exploration, students personally visit the Hsinchu Glass Craft Museum to understand how glass art integrates with local culture and industry.

During interviews with museum staff, students learn that, in addition to displaying glass art pieces, the museum actively promotes workshop-based education. This allows visitors not only to appreciate glass art visually but also to engage in hands-on glass-making experiences. The museum also aims to facilitate global glass art exchanges by hosting the Zhubei International Glass Art Festival every two years, providing a platform for international glass artists to connect and collaborate.

For over a century, Hsinchu’s glass industry has continuously evolved by incorporating new elements. Once primarily focused on functionality, glass production has gradually shifted towards cultural and artistic expression. This transformation has revitalized the glass industry, infusing it with new energy and moving it toward sustainable development and the preservation of cultural artistry.

Our Computer/Internet Access

(A) Percentage of students using the Internet at home: 100%
(B) Number of workstations with Internet access in the classroom: 40
(C) Connection speed used in the classroom: Dedicated Connection: 1G
(D) Number of years our classroom has been connected to the Internet: 7

Problems We Had to Overcome

(A) Determine the theme and direction:
In the early stage of brainstorming about the theme, we first collected relevant local information and listed the topics we were interested in first. Before the final decision of the topic, everyone has to use 3 minutes to introduce the key points of the topic and the reasons for conducting research to our teammates. It is very challenging to brief the key points in a short time and seek support from classmates.
(B) Data classification and collection:
Before our on-the-spot visit to the Hsinchu Glass Museum, we have collected a lot of relevant information through the Internet. Because the amount of the information is plentiful but complicated, we must first discuss to spot our focus and the direction of the topic that everyone wants to present, and through the mind diagrams and tree diagrams, etc., we classified and sorted out the key points.
(C) Interview preparation and simulation:
Another challenge for us is how to collect the information we need, ask in-depth questions to the interviewees, and use interview tools correctly within the limited time on the day of the survey. Through discussion, we sorted out the questions that we were curious and interested in, and recorded them as the basis for the interview. Before the survey, we practiced how to collect first-hand complete records through simulated conversation exercises and training in the use of audio-visual tools.
(D) Team synergy and collaboration:
When we first participated in this topic, we all had our own ideas, and we didn't have a great tacit understanding in terms of theme decision, web page structure, and division of labor. Through discussion and communication time after time, we gradually cultivated a good understanding, and finally we were able to present the complicated information into a complete website through a systematic structure.

Our Project Sound Bite

Through their participation in the Cyberfair, students gain a deeper understanding of their hometown and strengthen their connection to the local glass art industry. By collecting information and conducting field visits, they realize that the promotion and preservation of the glass art cultural industry can be achieved through their own efforts.
After completing their research, the school provides a platform for a club exhibition, allowing students who participated in the Cyberfair to showcase their findings. Through the creation of tri-fold brochures, live presentations, and in-class promotions, they help their peers gain a greater appreciation of the local glass art culture. This collective effort between the school, students, and the community fosters a shared commitment to protecting and passing down the artistic heritage of Hsinchu’s glass industry.

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

In this special topic and webpage production, both students and teachers can experience the advantages of digital learning. Through collecting, classifying and integrating data on the Internet, and then deepening the impression through on-site interviews and personal experiences, the students extended learning from the classroom to the outside. On the Google platform, the students engage in classifying data, integrating and completing the research structure, and then present the data systematically on the web. These learning and growth are difficult to achieve in traditional teaching. This time, it made us learn that the vast network resources can surely bring us a broader perspective. Through setting common goals, starting a plan, a lot of brainstorming and interactive discussions in the process, and solving problems together, both students and teachers all benefit in the aspects, including knowledge and operational skills.

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

(A) Phone and email: Primary resources like Interviews and phone calls.
(B) Internet: Make use of the Internet to collect secondary resources and cooperation platforms to upload data, download materials and organize them systematically.
(C) Laptops: List out the questions for the interview and edit the transcript for videos, webpage design and material organization.
(D) Cameras and cellphones: They are used to video record the research work, field investigation, and interviews.
(E) Computer Softwares: Cloud Computing Softwares in Google, Coggle, Mindmup 2.0, Canva, and so forth.

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

(A) After the completion of the website, the students went to every classroom to promote it in person, and they orally shared their one-day investigation and interview experience. What’s more, they also used the webpage to systematically introduce the glass art creation of Hsinchu City, and encouraged schoolmates to make reservations for guided tours online, and support the preservation of the cultural glass art in Hsinchu with practical actions by joining the activities.
(B) Students made posters and brochures during the on-campus clubs fair, and introduced Hsinchu glass craftsmanship personally to teachers and students who participated.
(C) After the website is completed, the students post website links through social media such as Facebook, Instagram, and Google Classroom to increase the visibility of the webpage, so that more people can see the glassc culture and art in Hsinchu City.

What has been or will be the impact of your project on your community?

Through this website project and on-site visits, students have developed a sense of identity with Hsinchu’s glass art and its creative processes. They are inspired to share their experiences and ideas with family and friends, encouraging more people to visit the Hsinchu Glass Craft Museum, participate in guided tours, and engage in one-day experiential activities—actively supporting the transformation of Hsinchu’s glass industry.
Furthermore, leveraging the power of the internet, this initiative connects everyone who cherishes Hsinchu’s glass art. Looking ahead, this collective effort is expected to generate greater impact, bridging Hsinchu glass art with the world and paving the way for sustainable preservation and development of glass art culture.

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

After participating in guided tours and interviews, we received valuable support from both the guides at the Hsinchu Glass Craft Museum and the glass artists at SPRING POOL GLASS STUDIO. They not only recognized our research project but also provided us with various manuals and books for reference, deepening our understanding of Hsinchu’s glass art and cultural industry.
Additionally, they shared their contact information and assured us that they would be happy to assist with any questions or challenges we might encounter during our research process.

Discoveries, Lessons and Surprises.

(A) Guided Tour and Interview for the Monuments: Through interviews with tour guides and glass artists, students have discovered that glass is one of Hsinchu’s most valuable cultural assets. The development of Hsinchu’s glass craftsmanship has gradually matured, with the Glass Craft Museum integrating tourism resources and advancing industrial development.
In recent years, in addition to displaying glass artworks, hosting exhibitions, promoting glass education, and facilitating international exchanges, the museum has also been working to help businesses and visitors gain a deeper understanding of the contemporary glass art industry.
(B) Field Investigation: At the Glass Craft Museum, students visited a special exhibition featuring glass artworks by both local and international artists. On the second floor, they explored the glass collection area, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the evolution of glass manufacturing and production techniques.
Afterward, students had the opportunity to experience the glass-making process firsthand, allowing them to appreciate the artistry and charm of glass art creation.
(C) Experience inheritance: The Hsinchu Cultural Center is dedicated to promoting and preserving glass art by integrating efforts from industry, government, academia, and research institutions. It organizes glass art exhibitions to foster international exchanges among glass artists, conducts training programs to encourage more individuals to engage in glass art creation, and hosts the Golden Glass Award to recognize and support glass artists.
Additionally, the center holds the Zhubei Glass Art Festival every two years, enhancing artistic exchanges and symbolizing the stages of glass art’s growth—taking root, sprouting, and flourishing. Through these initiatives, Hsinchu is actively advancing toward international recognition in the field of glass art.
(D) Continuous Improvements: To prevent Hsinchu’s century-old glass industry from fading like sunset, many glass factories have begun embracing technological advancements. They have accelerated the development of high-tech glass products such as fiberglass optical fiber, semiconductor IC wafers, computer substrates, LCD panels, and nano-glass.
Meanwhile, others have focused on developing the cultural and creative industries, shaping Hsinchu into a City of Glass Art. Through diverse artistic expressions, they continue to revitalize Taiwan’s glass culture, striving to bring it to new heights of excellence.