Argentine High School - Mustang Yearbook (Kansas City, KS)

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Science CHEMISTRY By means of newspaper and magazine articles we avail ourselves of the opportunity to show how research in modern science is helping the professional and industrial world. Sue’ discoveries as rustless and stainless steel; the nickel alloy making possible the trans Atlantic telephone cable; some of the synthetic drugs and harmoncs as well as vitamines used in com bating disease; radio waves to treat brain tumors, as well as to locate deposits of petroleum and aid lost airplanes in finding their bearings; neon tubes used in display-lighting and tele- vision and photo electric cells have been discussed in class. Motion pictures and film slides of many industrial operations, as the manufacture of (1) liquid air, (2) glass. (3) steel. (4) rubber. (5) X-ray and radio tubes arc used '.o supplement textbook work. Despite this stress of the industrial side of the science, vocational training is not considered an objective. Considerable stress is placed on laboratory work. We do not necessarily think this the most economical method of imparting knowledge, but we wish to accustom the pupils to submit their information to a test and to form opinions on the basis of facts. BIOLOGY Biology is the only science course in this high school that makes a study of the structure of living things: plants and animals and their reactions to the environment. The course centers around four general objectives: How things live and maintain them- selves; the relation of living things to the environment; the relation of living things to each other: man’s power to control living things. It is organized into seven units with definite specific objectives as requirements for credit in each one. These units arc designed to acquaint the student with the functions necessary to life, the structure and composition of organisms, and the adaptations of representative forms for successfully carrying on the necessary functions under changing conditions, with the result that he may better understand his own body and be able to give it more intelligent care. The project work consists of an insect survey collection and identification, field work, flower collections, bird migration observation, original essay work, plant and animal culture, and original diagrams representing the student’s own conception of various subjects. Twenty-five

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English SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL A good command of English, the ability to write it and speak it, is essential in every walk of life. That is why three years of it are required and a fourth is elective. Stated broadly, it is the aim of the English course: First, to quicken the spirit and kindle the imagination of students, to open to them the potential significance and beauty of life, to develop habits of weighing and judging human conduct and of turning to books for enter tainment, instruction, and inspiration as the hours of leisure may permit; second, to supply them with an effective tool of thought and of expression for use in their public and private life, that is, the best command of language which, under the circumstances, can be given them. Stated concisely, the aim of high school English is two-fold: 1. To give pupils command of the art of communication in speech and writing. 2. To teach them to read thoughtfully and with appreciation, to form in them a taste for good reading, and to teach them how to find books that arc worth while. This year emphasis has been put upon creative work, with the result that a large number of creditable poems, stories and plays have been written. JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Language is the chief instiument for acquiring and communicating what mankind knows. Junior High School English has three functions which arc: First, to increase the pupil's power to express himself, both in speech and in writing: second, to cultivate in him an appreciation of the best things in literature; third, to develop a fund of knowledge of certain essential, fundamental facts regarding the mother tongue. It is through speech and reading that man acquires the truth regarding the lives of mankind, regardless of time and place, the truth which is so essential to a sympathetic and understanding mind. In accomplishing these aims a multitude of devices must be brought into play. The more variety the teacher can secure the greater will be the interest and effort, for joy and pride in work arc, indeed, the most powerful of lures. The pupil finds real pleasure in creating. His originality may take the form of a few verses, a newspaper where the characters of a classic constitute the news, of clever posters, of a group poster, with various figures costumed to repre- sent characters from favorite books, of tournament fields, of the interior of homes, of soap figures, of dolls dressed carefully to portray prominent characters in the stories, of dramatiza- tions, of games, of stories. Many a small creative effort has been the beginning of genuine effort in a study. 1931J Twenty-four

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 ftArg enfiaTv Home Maying DOMESTIC SCIENCE In the days of our grandmothers, only such subjects as history, Latin, and mathe- matics were studied in school. Now we believe that in addition to these subjects, every girl should learn to do better the worth while things she is doing or is going to do. The course in foods and home making includes units of work which teach the girl the proper selection, preparation and serving of food; the care and training of children; the wise spending of the family income; and the selection, planning and care of the home. The above picture is of the cafeteria. The f xxJ is prepared by Mrs. C. M. Davis, Mrs. M. L. Morse and Mrs. Katherine Gates. Six girls help serve the food at lunch time. CLOTHING The general objectives of the courses in clothing are: First, to develop in the girl ideals as a basis for home membership; second, to cultivate good standards of judg- ment and taste in dress; third, to create a greater interest in her home and develop an ability to apply the principle of good taste and judgment in its furnishings; fourth, to teach the girl to spend wisely not only her own, but also the family income. In the courses this year we have studied the following: First, a historic review of period fashions, in order to better understand those of today; second, the selection of lines and colors best suited to each individual type of girl; third, the selection and wise buying of textiles; and, fourth, the selection and good arrangement of house'fur- nishings. Since every girl will become a home-maker we feel that the home-making phase of the course is one of the most important units. More attractive homes and an appreciation of the better things in life are the purpose of this unit in the course. Each girl in the high school clothing classes constructed a school dress, an after- noon or party frock, and a spring street costume. Emphasis has been laid upon suit- ability, appreciation of beauty of line and color, and modesty in dress. Twenty-six