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HS students from the Business Computing class recently completed a meaningful research project celebrating the essential work of our dedicated custodial team. Through interviews, students identified key themes our custodians wished to share with the community and created digital and physical displays highlighting their perspectives.

Secondary students, faculty, and staff were invited to a Custodial Appreciation Gallery Walk to view the projects and engage in conversations with the student creators. The sense of connection and mutual appreciation built through this experience was truly heartwarming.

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Students will work in teams of 2–3. Each team will "shadow" a staff member for 15–20 minutes to observe their workflow before conducting a formal, seated interview.
The Design Phase: Using business computing skills, students will translate interview notes into professional-grade graphics and data visualizations.

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HS Business Computing, Unit 2, Using digital tools to tell a story 

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Empathy & Active Listening
Systems Thinking 
Ethical Professionalism & Consent

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School assembly
Website
Documentary
Poster 
Gallery walk 

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Project Continuity: This project should be updated annually. Each year, the new Business Computing class can continue this project by identifying new staff members who haven't been featured and updating the "Trash System Research" to address new challenges. This ensures the posters stay current and the staff feels continuously supported.

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We are addressing the need for a sense of belonging and equal recognition for all campus members 
We chose this focus because we believe that equity is reflected in how a community treats its most "invisible" members

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Students will interview the school custodial team and identify three main ways to support the custodial team. Interview and tell the story of a person who maintains their campus neat and clean. 

Students can create a digital website using Canvas, Wix, or other digital tools 
Students can effectively create survey questions, collect data, analyze data, and tell a story using the data from the interview questions
Students can share their findings with classmates and other teachers at advisory and assembly 

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This project bridges the AP Comparative Government curriculum with active global citizenship. By examining the roles of NGOs, civil liberties, and political participation, students transformed their classroom theory into a school-wide advocacy campaign. In partnership with the Human Rights Club and Model UN, students led a peer-to-peer educational initiative to defend human rights globally.

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Peer Education: Juniors and seniors designed and delivered age-appropriate lessons to younger grades, sparking dialogue on global justice.
Mass Advocacy: The campaign mobilized the student body to produce 270 letters and notes targeting specific human rights cases highlighted by Amnesty International’s "Write for Rights" campaign.
Professional Engagement: Students engaged in high-level Q&A sessions with NGO professionals to understand how non-governmental organizations influence policy and protect individuals.

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Preparation & Skills
To lead this project, students developed a sophisticated toolkit:
Political Literacy: Understanding the mechanisms NGOs use to hold governments accountable.
Pedagogical Leadership: Adapting complex legal and political concepts into engaging lessons for elementary students.
Empathetic Advocacy: Researching specific human rights abuses to write informed, persuasive appeals for justice.

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The project deepened students' understanding of civil society as a bridge between the individual and the state. By physically delivering the letters to NGO offices, students saw that their academic work has a destination and a purpose.
Sustainability Tip: To keep this momentum, the school can establish a permanent "Advocacy Liaison" role within the Human Rights Club to maintain the relationships built with the Taipei-based NGOs for future internships or guest speaking opportunities.

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1. International Partner: Amnesty International
2. Local NGO Partners 
3. Internal School Partners

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Students investigate specific cases from the Amnesty International 2025/2026 portfolio

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The initiative focused on the power of the written word and the impact of civil society. High school mentors fanned out across the school—including Mr. Martin’s Grade 4 class—to lead workshops on fundamental rights and the importance of international solidarity.
The scope culminated in a field study in Taipei, where student leaders met with staffers from six prominent NGOs. This experience provided a firsthand look at the "daily operations" of activism and Taiwan’s vibrant civil society.

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In an inspiring blend of social studies and community service, our Grade 2 students recently partnered with the High School Red Cross Club to tackle food insecurity.

This project transformed a foundational curriculum unit on "Needs vs. Wants" into a tangible lesson in empathy and logistics. Guided by Ms. Ip, Ms. Moye, and Ms. Yao Wei, students didn't just study poverty—they took active steps to alleviate it.

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Community Contribution: Families donate dry goods

Strategic Sorting: Grade 2 students categorize donations by food group and expiration date, applying their "suitable vs. unsuitable" criteria.

On-Site Integration: Under supervision, students assist in shelving the items at the food bank, ensuring donations reach the correct distribution points.

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Transitioning from the abstract concept of "needs vs. wants" to identifying real-world food insecurity.

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Students fill out the reflection form after the activity 

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Partnership: G2 students and the homeroom teacher, Red Cross Club, Food Bank organization 

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Recognizing that many neighbors struggle to access basic "needs," students identified a critical shortage at local food banks. 

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A year-long project. 
Provide a Professional Platform: We offer a specialized arena for students to demonstrate their most innovative robot designs and programming code in a competitive, fair-play environment.
Foster Peer-to-Peer Interaction: The event serves as a "STEM Hub," allowing students from different schools and backgrounds to meet, share technical strategies, and collaborate on engineering challenges.
Expand STEM Access: By organizing and facilitating these events, we lower the barrier to entry for local schools, providing them with the opportunity to participate in international-standard robotics competitions close to home.

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Community Engagement Through STEM, VEX Robotics, and Community Outreaches

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Community Engagement Through STEM, VEX Robotics, and Community Outreaches

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Since 2019, our students have taken a leadership role in hosting the TAI-VEX Robotics Competitions (VEX IQ and VEX V5) for Elementary, Middle, and High School students across the region. This project goes beyond simply running a tournament; it creates a high-stakes, collaborative environment where young engineers can test their designs, solve real-world problems, and join a growing community of STEM innovators. AST VEX Robotics club also brings STEM and Robotics to multiple elementary schools in Miaoli, Nantou, and Taichung.

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Students will work in teams of 2–3. Each team will "shadow" a staff member for 15–20 minutes to observe their workflow before conducting a formal, seated interview.
The Design Phase: Using business computing skills, students will translate interview notes into professional-grade graphics and data visualizations.

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MS, HS Robotics Class, VEX Robotics Club. 

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Empathy & Active Listening
Systems Thinking 
Ethical Professionalism & Consent

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Reflection before and after each event. We also share our works at the school assembly and the school website

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Project Continuity: Yes, this must continue annually to build a "Robotics Pipeline." To pass the torch, HS Seniors will create a "Tai-Vex Transition Guide" (SOP) that outlines contact lists, field setup diagrams, and common troubleshooting tips for the incoming Junior leaders.
Senior member mentoring the junior members to take over the role for the next season 
Create SOP to document the routines and contact list 

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Partnership: Admin, parents, VEX IQ, VEX V5 club members, Taipei American School, CACET, REC 

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Need to have more friendly competitions for students to practice 
Need to keep up the strong community 
Build a sustainable program 

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A year-long project. 
Provide a Professional Platform: We offer a specialized arena for students to demonstrate their most innovative robot designs and programming code in a competitive, fair-play environment.
Foster Peer-to-Peer Interaction: The event serves as a "STEM Hub," allowing students from different schools and backgrounds to meet, share technical strategies, and collaborate on engineering challenges.
Expand STEM Access: By organizing and facilitating these events, we lower the barrier to entry for local schools, providing them with the opportunity to participate in international-standard robotics competitions close to home.