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Taiwan Program

Summer 2010

Other upcoming GET programs:

Puerto Rico 2011

South Africa 2012

 

In 2010, GET will be partnering with the Wisconsin K-12 Energy Education Program (KEEP) to offer a Teacher Exchange Program just off the shores of mainland China. Five K-12 Wisconsin teachers trained in at least three KEEP courses will be eligible to apply for a 10 day exchange program in TAIWAN! This program will focus on energy education. Through partnerships with Earth Passengers and Delta Education Foundation of Taiwan, participants will explore energy usage and conservation in Taiwan. Additionally, they will interact with teachers in Taiwan through workshops and field trips.


Taiwan is a relatively small island with approximately 23 million people. Comparatively, it covers an area slightly larger than the states of Maryland and Delaware combined. This densely populated area has remained economically strong despite the apparent environmental stresses the island has endured. Taiwan strives for a more sustainable economic and environmental future and is implementing some unique energy education programs and facilities to become leaders. Studying energy use and conservation in Taiwan offers a unique opportunity for Wisconsin teachers to expand one’s global understanding of energy in general. Click HERE to view pictures of this program.


Requirements:
You must be a Wisconsin K-12 Teacher who has been trained in at least three KEEP courses to participate in this GET program. You will be required to attend a pre-program orientation in late June 2010 in preparation for the program. While in Taiwan, participants will share some of their energy education best practices.

 

Itinerary:

The GET-KEEP 2010 Program to Taiwan will focus on energy concepts and resources. Exact details are being planned. You can expect the itinerary to include some of the following activities: touring a wind farm, hydroelectric facility, and/or nuclear power plant; visiting schools highlighting renewable energy, energy efficiency, and energy education; and participating in a KEEP workshop with Taiwan teachers; each Wisconsin teacher could model a KEEP activity.

 

Physical Requirements:
For this program you can expect moderate physical activity requirements. We will be on field trips and excursions nearly every day. Although these will not be physically demanding, you should be in good health. You will probably do more walking than you normally do. The weather will be warmer than the summers in Wisconsin and humid.

 

Accommodations:
Throughout the GET-KEEP Taiwan program, you can expect double occupancy hotel accommodations.

 

Program Details:
When: Late July or August 2010 (Exact dates for this 10 day program are to be announced)
Program Benefits: All inclusive: International airfare, food, lodging, entrance fees, and transportation for the 10 day program.
Program Costs: Tentatively $500-1,000 (Valued at $3,000-Grants are being secured to keep the program cost to a minimum.)
Optional Graduate Credits: 1-2 Credits paid by the participant
Application: 5 KEEP teachers from the USA and 5 educators from Taiwan will be selected for participation through an application process. Please contact Carrie Ziolkowski Carrie.Ziolkowski@uwsp.edu for an application.

More Information: For more information, please contact Carrie Ziolkowski Carrie.Ziolkowski@uwsp.edu / 715.346.4651.
 

Fast Facts About Taiwan:

(Information provided by CIA World Factbook https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/tw.html)

Capital: Taipei
Area:  35,980 square km (aprox. size of Maryland and Delaware combine.)
Population: 22,974,347 (July 2009 est.)
Life Expectancy: 78 years old
Languages: Mandarin Chinese (official), Taiwanese (Min), Hakka dialects
Religions: mixture of Buddhist and Taoist 93%, Christian 4.5%, other 2.5%
Climate: tropical; marine; rainy season during southwest monsoon (June to August); cloudiness is persistent and extensive all year
Currency: New Taiwan dollars (TWD)
GDP per Capita: $31,100 (2008 est.)

Background on Taiwan:

(Information provided by CIA World Factbook https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/tw.html)
In 1895, military defeat forced China to cede Taiwan to Japan. Taiwan reverted to Chinese control after World War II. Following the Communist victory on the mainland in 1949, 2 million Nationalists fled to Taiwan and established a government using the 1946 constitution drawn up for all of China. Over the next five decades, the ruling authorities gradually democratized and incorporated the local population within the governing structure. In 2000, Taiwan underwent its first peaceful transfer of power from the Nationalist to the Democratic Progressive Party. Throughout this period, the island prospered and became one of East Asia's economic "Tigers." The dominant political issues continue to be the relationship between Taiwan and China - specifically the question of Taiwan's eventual status - as well as domestic political and economic reform.

 

Click here to read about GET’s 2007 teacher exchange in China.

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