Ashbury College - Ashburian Yearbook (Ottawa, Ontario Canada)

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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.

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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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THE ASHBURIAN 29 COMMONWEALTH YOUTH MOVEMENT A deafening blast from the steam whistle resounded in my ears. Far below, in the bowels of the ship, the massive engines grumbled into motion. XVith a mounting sense of excitement I realized our de- parture was imminent. The passengers, trying vainly not to betray their excitement, crammed the dockside rail three deep, and waved frantically to friends on the quay. Out of nowhere streamers appeared, and soon a jungle-like tangle, red, blue, yellow, every colour of the rainbow, festooned the ship's side. Two squat, snub-nosed tugs churned and butted the huge ship into the swift-running channel. Friends on the quay grew smaller and smaller, and faded into an in- distinct line of waving hands. Our holiday had started. However, I was not sailing for a standard guide book tour of Europe. I was fortunate enough to be selected a member of the Can- adian contingent of the Commonwealth Youth Movement Quest of 1961. The C. Y. XI. is dedicated to the ideals of peace, brotherhood, and understanding. Through its annual Quest, students from the far- Hung lands of the Commonwealth are brought together for a summer, and by sharing the common experience of seeing Europe together, they forge a bond of brotherhood and understanding. Last summer I lived with boys and girls whose skin was not the same colour as mine, whose religions were unknown to me, whose homes were foreign to me. I came to know, understand, and respect the hopes and ideals of people so different from me. I returned home with many of my preconceived ideas and prejudices washed from my mind. Our group hailed from fourteen Commonwealth and two non- Commonwealth countries: Aden, Basutoland, Bechuanaland, Belgium, Canada, the Falkland Islands, Fiji, Germany, Gibralter, India, Klalaya, Mauritius, Northern Rhodesia. Swaziland, the United Kingdom. and Pakistan. The Canadian contingent had gathered in Ottawa on july -Ifth. VVe were entertained at a reception at Government House, and it was a real pleasure to have the opportunity of meeting so gracious a couple as Governor-General Vanier and his wife. XYe also spent a very con- vivial afternoon with Sir Saville and Lady Garner at the British High Commissioners residence, Earnseliffe. TYhile touring the Parliament Buildings, we were introduced to Prime Minister Diefenbaker, Canada certainly accorded us a tremendous send-off to a memorable summer! We sailed on july 6th from Montreal, aboard the Empress of Canada . I had no idea of the incredible vastness of the St. Lawrence River until we sailed down it for two days. On the third morning. I awoke at sea. Nhat an exhilarating sensation it is to stand at the stern of the ship on the gently rolling deck and breathe the salty ocean air?