Introduction: Who We Are
Welcome to the Community-Based Experiential Learning (CBEL) project for the Dragon-Spine Water Lift at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden. This blog will be updated biweekly and will include information about our team as well as provide project updates.

The University of British Columbia’s Civil 202 course (Introduction to Civil Engineering 2) is aimed to actively engage students into the community through a CBEL project. A team of second year civil engineering students; Chris, Jeremy, Jack, Asad, Jennifer, and Bob; and their guiding mentor, Malek Charif, have united to form a passionate project team. The enthusiasm and drive of the students combined with the experience of the mentor will promote a strong work environment and commitment towards a successful project.

The Organization: Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
A veteran when it comes to providing CBEL projects for UBC students, the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden Society, incorporated in 1981, is a self-sustaining, not-for-profit organization with the mandate to maintain and enhance the bridge of understanding between Chinese and Western cultures, promote Chinese culture generally and be an integral part of the local community.
Vancouver’s Chinese Garden was built in 1985-1986 using the time honored principles and techniques of the original Ming dynasty garden to provide an authentic representation of age – old garden tradition which reached its peak in the Ming Dynasty.

The Project: Lifting Water on the Dragon’s Spine
This project asks the CBEL team to produce a simple and working miniature scale model of the Dragon-Spine Water Lift as a teaching tool and representative educational artifact. The Dragon-Spine Water Lift was invented in the 1st century CE, and served to be one of the most successful and innovative irrigation machines in early China. The purpose of the water lift was to fetch water so crops could be irrigated in a more efficient way. The water lift is man-powered and comprises of a system of cogs, paddles and a chain of wooden pallets – operating similarly to the chain on a bicycle.

Source: http://www.0731sty.com/ewebeditor@csylzx2011/uploadfile/20110921152325675.jpg
The Community: Bringing 15th Century China to You!
The Garden serves as an educational and enlightening experience as the scenery takes you on a journey back in time to 15th Century China to enjoy this “window to another world.” The Garden’s education department transforms a classical Ming Dynasty scholar’s home into a living classroom! With a scaled down model of the Dragon-Spine Water Lift, the Garden intends to animate and actively promote the learning of Chinese culture, inventions and history for the thousands of students that visit each year. Hence, visitors of the Garden will benefit from an interactive learning experience.

We look forward to working on the CBEL project and are grateful for this opportunity to apply our university knowledge while gaining real-life skills through the process.

Jade Water Pavillion
Source: http://vancouverchinesegarden.com/photo-gallery/