September 2026
Actions
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Choose the project’s English and Chinese names.
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Write a short founder’s statement in my own words:
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Begin an online Research and Conservation Journal. Every entry should include the date, activity, new learning, source, question raised, and next step.
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Complete a short baseline writing sample titled “What I Know About the Chinese Giant Salamander.”
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Communicate with the school and ask the following questions:
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May I conduct an anonymous student knowledge survey?
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May I organize an educational presentation?
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Can a science teacher review my materials?
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Can I display a conservation poster on campus?
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Is there a school environmental club or service program that could support the work?
Founder’s Statement
Project Andrias is more than an initiative to protect an endangered species; it represents over eight years of intellectual curiosity, scientific inquiry, and sustained commitment to conservation. What began as one girl’s fascination with the Chinese giant salamander—a rare creature steeped in Chinese mythology and cultural significance—evolved into an extensive exploration of China’s freshwater biodiversity. Through years of fieldwork, interviews with experts, and independent research, she sought not only to understand the ecological challenges threatening this extraordinary species but also to identify meaningful ways to address them.
At its heart, Project Andrias embodies the transformation of personal curiosity into collective action. Guided by her research findings and a deepening sense of environmental responsibility, Janine Xie moved beyond individual advocacy to mobilize her community around a shared conservation mission. The project reflects her conviction that meaningful change begins with the willingness to ask difficult questions, pursue answers with persistence, and inspire others to turn knowledge into action.
What I Knew About the Chinese Giant Salamander
In the Classic of Mountains and Seas (Shan3 Hai3 Jing1), people described the Chinese giant salamander as having four legs and making cries that sound like those of a baby.[1]
Chinese giant salamander-like patterns have been found on ancient pottery, leading some researchers to suggest that these motifs may have influenced the later development of the Yin-Yang Fish symbol.[2]
In ancient China, people believed that the cry of the Chinese giant salamander signaled approaching rain, making it closely connected to agriculture. Because dragons were also traditionally associated with rain, the giant salamander came to be linked symbolically with the dragon in Chinese culture.[3]
Why I Chose the Chinese Giant Salamander
I chose the Chinese giant salamander because I think it is both adorable and unique. It is also an ancient species whose ancestors date back around 170 million years. Most importantly, Chinese giant salamanders are critically endangered, which makes protecting them especially important.[4]
Why the Chinese Giant Salamander Is Critically Endangered
Chinese giant salamanders are critically endangered for several reasons. Climate change, human development, and water pollution have damaged and changed their natural habitats. They have also been heavily hunted because some people believe their meat has medicinal or health benefits. As a result, their population in the wild has declined dramatically.[5]
[1] “蝾螈还是大鲵？关于美人鱼的原型，还有这些你不知道的传说.” 科普中国资源服务, 科普中国, 12 Jan. 2022, cloud.kepuchina.cn/newSearch/imgText?id=6880531741680066560.
[2] Yuan Guangkuo. “甄器尚象：仰韶彩陶之光.” , 全国哲学社会科学工作办公室, October 21, 2021, https://www.nopss.gov.cn/n1/2021/1021/c435062-32259953.html.
[3] Feng, Zhijun, and Gao Ying. “五千年前的鲵鱼纹彩陶瓶，为何冠绝‘彩陶之乡’？” 丝绸之路（敦煌）国际文化博览会, April 24, 2024. https://www.gswbj.gov.cn/a/2024/04/24/20248.html.
[4] San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. “Chinese Giant Salamander.” San Diego Zoo Animals & Plants. Accessed October 9, 2026. https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/chinese-giant-salamander.
[5] Li, Siqing, Wenyu Dai, Zhenkang Wang, Zhaoning Wu, and Jiechen Wang. “Detecting Range Shrinking From Historical Amphibian Species Occurrences Under Influence of Human Impacts: A Case Study Using the Chinese Giant Salamander, Andrias davidianus.” Ecology and Evolution (2024). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11576131/.