1. Description of "Our Community"

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Local Community:  Kolkata, the City of Joy, is a vibrant cultural epicenter celebrated for its rich artistic heritage, literary brilliance and intellectual dynamism. The city is known for its enthusiastic approach towards festivals and traditions. Despite the multiplicity of communities that dwell here, the city projects a picture of sheer harmony and joy.

In Kolkata, you find solace, peace and even your true calling. Whether it be the city’s community celebration of Durga Puja like a close-knit family, or the Anglo-Indian community in Bow Barracks decorating their homes on Christmas to show the world their culture still lives, the Potter community of Kumartuli toiling in the sun to give the world the exquisite ceramic pots and beautiful clay idols or the fishermen in Babughat working all day to catch fishes which define the city's cuisine.

Kolkata is equally shaped by its cosmopolitan spirit. Here, Bengali culture coexists seamlessly with influences from Chinese, Armenian, Jewish, Anglo-Indian, Marwari, and Gujarati communities, each contributing their own flavours, festivals, and customs. The city’s streets echo with multilingual conversations, global cuisines, and a welcoming openness that has long made it a crossroads of cultures.The city’s architectural landscape further narrates its glorious past. Majestic colonial-era structures such as the Victoria Memorial, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the Indian Museum stand alongside iconic landmarks like Howrah Bridge and the Writers’ Building. Heritage neighbourhoods like North Kolkata—with its labyrinth of narrow lanes, centuries-old mansions, and traditional courtyards—preserve the charm of bygone eras, while the bustling avenues of South Kolkata showcase modernity moving in step with tradition.Kolkata is not merely a city—it is an emotion carved into history, culture, and human connection. It welcomes, nurtures, and inspires all who wander through its vibrant lanes.

 

2. Summary of Our Project

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Our project focused on exploring the heritage, culture, and everyday life of Kolkata using digital tools. We learned about our city by visiting historical landmarks, talking to people from the community, observing local practices, and collecting information through research and interviews.
All our findings were brought together in a digital exhibition so that people from around the world can learn about Kolkata through our work. This project helped us understand that even small efforts by students can play an important role in preserving and sharing our community’s history

 

3. CyberFair Theme

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Category 6: Historical Landmarks
Through this project, we studied important historical landmarks in Kolkata and learned about their history, present condition, and importance to the community. By sharing our research online, we tried to show why these landmarks matter and why they should be protected for future generations

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4. Our Computer and Internet Access

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A. Percentage of students using the Internet at home: All students involved in the project have Internet access at home.

B. Number of workstations with Internet access in the classroom: Our school has more than 30 computers with Internet access in the computer labs.

C. Connection speed used in the classroom: We used high-speed Internet, which allowed us to do online research, upload media, and work on our website smoothly.

D. Number of years our classroom has been connected to the Internet: Our classrooms have been connected to the Internet since they were established.

E. Additional comments (Optional):

We also used cloud tools and personal devices when needed, which helped us work together even outside school hours.
 

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5. Problems We Had To Overcome

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While working on the project, we faced several challenges:

• Managing time between regular classes and field visits

• Making sure the information we collected was accurate

• Uploading and organising large photos and videos

• Learning new technical skills at different paces

We solved these problems by planning our work carefully, helping each other, taking guidance from our teachers, and improving our website step by step

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6. Our Project Sound Bite

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We, the students exploring Kolkata’s heritage and sharing its stories with the world through digital media.

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

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This project helped us apply what we learn in different subjects:

• History & Social Studies: learning about local history and heritage

• Information Technology: researching online, creating digital content, and building a website

• Language: writing interviews, descriptions, and reflections

• Art & Culture: using photos and creative layouts to tell stories

Instead of learning only from books, we learned by doing real research.

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

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For our CyberFair project, we employed a diverse range of tools and technologies to ensure its success. Our toolkit encompassed everything from traditional computers to visits to shops and industries. Here is how we utilized these resources:

• PCs and Laptops: These were indispensable for conducting research, organizing data, and editing videos. They served as our primary workstations throughout the project.

• Applications: We leveraged a variety of applications such as Google Drive, Zoom, YouTube, Google Meet, Facebook and Video Editor. These platforms facilitated seamless information sharing, virtual meetings, video compilation and editing.

• Interviews: Conducting interviews was a cornerstone of our project, serving as our primary source of information. This method allowed us to gather firsthand insights and perspectives about our topic.

• Audio-Visual Equipment: Devices like microphones and headphones were essential for ensuring clear communication and effective dialogue delivery during interviews. Cameras were utilized for recording visuals, while smartphones aided in additional research and project-related activities.

• Scanner: The device is used to scan all No Objection letters, feedback from the participants and the viewers.

• Google Search Engine: As a ubiquitous information tool, Google Search proved invaluable for accessing a vast array of online resources and information relevant to our projec

In essence, our CyberFair project benefited immensely from the strategic integration of various technologies and tools, enabling us to conduct thorough research, create engaging content, and effectively communicate our findings to our audience.

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

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We acted as ambassadors for our community by:

• Sharing our work online with students and teachers from other countries

• Speaking to community members during interviews and visits

• Explaining our project to classmates, teachers, parents, and visitors

• This helped us gain confidence and communicate responsibly.

 

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

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Our project:

• Made people more aware of local heritage sites

• Encouraged respect for historical places and public spaces

• Helped students and community members feel proud of Kolkata’s history

• Many people we interacted with were happy that students were taking interest in preserving local heritage.

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

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Our project involved:

• Local historians and museum staff who shared valuable information

• Community members and shop owners who spoke to us during interviews

• Teachers and parents who supported us during visits and activities

• Their help made our project more meaningful and accurate

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5) Discoveries, Lessons and Surprises (Optional)

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Through this project, we discovered that:

• Heritage is not only about old buildings but also about people and their stories

• Technology can be used to preserve and share history, not just for entertainment

• Working as a team and doing real research is challenging, but very rewarding