Ashbury College - Ashburian Yearbook (Ottawa, Ontario Canada)

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THE ASHBUR1.-IN 3, The last Division visited was that of Applied Biology, where Dr. D. C. Mortimer explained to us the use of radio-activity in tracing the movement of substances in plants. We were also shown the green- house where plants are raised for the experiments. The principal feature of this green-house was a room where temperature, light and humidity are automatically controlled. F The Tour over, we returned to Ashbury by taxi, completing a most educational and interesting day. I i F Those on the trip were Bow, Fkes, Grecnstone, Lynn I, Nlartin, Menzies, Nlillard, Parker I, Tyler and your scribe, Brown I. Our thanks goes out to Nlr. Sibley, who was responsible for this excellent visit. Il. Biology Trip To The Department of I-1gricult1n'e On the morning of Nlarch Znd, Gill Pottinger, Flood, Steven, Haslam and Mr. Sibley, in short the Upper Vlth Biology Class, sallied forth to the K. XY. Nearby Building on Carling Avenue to view the proceedings at the Department of Agriculture. Having arrived in two groups, and at two different doors, we were reunited and began the Tour under the guidance of Xlr. Bellelieur. First stop was the Scientific Modelling Department, where scale models of animals, insects and plants are made for public display. Par- ticularly interesting to us was a model of the life cycle of a june bug, which incited memories of the Fall Term and wishes like if only we had one of those . From Scientific Modelling, the Tour moved to Plant Pathology, where we were lectured on various experiments concerning plant diseases and inspected same through complicated high quality micro- scopes. So that we should not go away empty-handed, the Information Department provided each of us with booklets about farming and plant diseases, notably apple scab and wheat rust. After seeing the printing and mailing rooms, we adjourned upstairs to the Entomology Depart- ment, and cabinet upon cabinet full of insects. There, we were shown numerous types of Diptera, Coleoptera and Lepidoptera and told met- hods of identification. habits and other salient facts. This ended an interesting Tour and a full morning. Our thanks to the Personnel at the Department of Agriculture, Messrs. Gill and Pottinger, the chauffeurs and Nlr. Sibley, who made the Trip possible. III. The Chalk River Sciellce Tour On Friday, May llth, ten suidents, accompanied by Nlr. Sibley and Mr. Harland, left for the Atomic Energy of Canada Limited estab-

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22 THE ASHBURIAN SCIENCE TOURS 1. Natiolml Research Council Tom' On Nlarch Sth. a group of Students left Ashbury in taxis and a few minutes later arrived at the N. R. C. Laboratories on the Alontreal Road. We were met at the gate by Mr. M. K. Hard, who gave us each a programme of the things we would see. Our first visit was to the Division of Building Research, where we were shown around by M r. C. R. Crocker. He first explained what this division does and then proceeded to show us some of the many projects befng undertaken. These included work on soil problems in the Arctic and those specific to Ottawa, the testing of structures in an im- mense laboratory, capable of containing a full size two storey house, and the observation of frost on windows in rooms where temperature and humidity could be completely controlled. VVe then went to the Low Speed Aerodynamics Laboratory under the direction of Mr. P. Pocock. This gentleman showed us the hori- zontal and vertical wind tunnels used for testing conventional and verti- cal take-off and landing aircraft at sub-sonic speeds. Of particular in- terest was a fascinating tunnel in which water was used instead of air. Our next stop was the Division of Applied Chemistry where Mr. G. A. Young took us around. Many interesting experiments were seen here. These were: the separation of solutions by filtering through membranes, bubbling a gas through a solid to make it behave like a liquid, the settling of slurries, or mixtures of a solid and a liquid, speeded up by tilting and analysis of substances by their spectra. Our Tour of the Montreal Road Laboratories over, we were trans- ferred to the Sussex Drive Building by N. R. C. vehicle. Dr. john R. Kohr met us on arrival and we were shown the extensive library of the Council. After this a most excellent lunch was provided for us. After lunch, and a period to rest our legs, we started off again. Dr. S. F. Henderson talked to us about new standards for weights and measures. lle then showed us some of the complicated and ingenious apparatus used by the N. R. C. in establishing and employing these standards. Of a less scientific, but no less interesting nature, was a wefgh scale for use on the rolling pitching deck of a ship. We moved on to the Division of Pure Physics and Dr. C. B. Nlclliarmid. lle showed us devices for measuring cosmic rays and other particles which strike the earth's atmosphere. This equipment was part of that to be sent up in an all Canadian Satellite and was fan- tastically small to enable it to fit in a confined space. Nluch bigger but equally complex, were the devices used to compute and tabulate the information relayed from the instruments as they orbited the earth.

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2-I THE ASHBURIAN lishment at Chalk River. Cpon arriving at about ten-thirty, we were immediately rushed to the Lecture Room to meet Dr. David A. Keys, the Scientific Advisor to the President. Here we heard a fascinating lecture with slides and demonstrations. VVe emerged from the building an hour later thoroughly enlightened on the subjects of nuclear fission, radioactive substances, and atomic research with all its peace time uses. Our next stops were the models room, where we were shown cut- away scale models of both NRX and NRU reactors, and the testing centre, where radioactive materials are examined through lead boro- silicate glass thirty-six inches thick, and handled with mechanical arms. After lunch we visited the huge NRX reactor. This amazing structure was built in 1949, and at that time was the only one of its kind in the world. Although it has a potential of 40,000 kilowatts, it is used solely for research by supplying the neutron bombardment necessary to produce radioactive isotopes. It is powered by a large number of long uranium rods sheathed in aluminum and immersed in heavy water. Ordinary river water is passed through the rods to keep the temperature at a safe level. The newer and more powerful NRU reactor, built in 1958, and having a potential of 200,000 kilowatts, was our final stop. It differs from the NRX reactor in that a closed heavy water circuit is used to cool the fuel rods, thus eliminating the danger of polluting the river water with radioactivity. Also, the exhausted fuel rods can be re- placed without shutting down the reactor, saving both time and money. In closing, a special word of thanks should be extended to our guide, the unflinching target of our numerous queries throughout the day, Dr. Keys for his inspirational lecture, and to Mr. Sibley who made the enjoyable and instructive trip possible. Those taking the tour were: Iiwing, Parker I, Tyler I, Brown I, Bow, Millard, Chaplin, Mar- tin, XVhipps, and your reporter, Coristine I. IV. .lliscellalleous Beside the above trips, a group of students from Grades 12 and 13 attended the Chemical Institute of Canada Student night in November, where Dr. K. Laid.er gave a lecture on Molecules and Living Things . His talk was concerned with what may be called physical biochemistry. and was well illustrated by fine demonstrations. A number of students also attended the series of Science Lectures given at the University of Ottawa during the XVinter Term. XYe have just had word that two of our students, Brown I and Bow, have won Student Assistantships at Ottawa University this summer. XYe are pleased.