Birch Run High School - Panther Tales Yearbook (Birch Run, MI)

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HOMEMAKING DEPARTMENT The Homemaking Department offers a two year program of study. During this time students learn how to be- come more effective family members. Besides practice in the practical skills of homemaking, students receive instruction in personal and social de- velopment, foods and nutrition, child development, clothing and textiles, housing and home furnishings, and home management. A broad program like this, concerning the many phases of homemaking, helps students acquire an understanding and appreciation of the basic principles underlying homemaking. Happy and successful living begins at home. Through the study of homemaking students learn to improve their home lives. Diane Berryman. CHEMISTRY-PHYSICS DEPARTMENT The purpose of Chemistry is to develop in the student a basic knowledge of the composition of substances, the changes that occur in the composition of these substances, and a general study of scientific subjects. Integrated with this, a laboratory period is provided to acquaint the student with laboratory procedure and investigation. Physics, the culmination of sci- ence in high school, is the study of matter and energy. Its purpose is to acquaint the student with the principles of mechanics, heat, sound, light, and electricity. Laboratory is provided to enhance certain concepts related to these areas. It is the goal of the science de- partment to develop in the student a mode of thinking conducive to his future understanding of science in this highly scientific world. Wallace Frank, Margaret Kelley.

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SPEECH AND DRAMA DEPARTMENT The Speech and Drama Department of the Birch Run High School provides the student with a course in basic speech, further enhanced by forensics, and various theatre activities. Its purpose is to help the student speak clearly and fluently in conversation, informal and formal speech situations in dramatics, on radio and television and over the phone. Equally important, it teaches the student to listen intelligently. Dramatics develops the idea of communication and understanding of others by the study and portrayal of other personalities. Charles Martin, Diane Blomquist. Kathryn VanDyke, Pamela Elliott, Margaret Kelley. Judith Gillies, Judith Erdmann, ENGLISH DEPARTMENT The English Department of Birch Run High School believes that the ability to communicate is vital in a democratic society. Therefore, the departmentattempts to offer to every student the op- portunity to develop his com- munication skills by providing classes and activities designed to develop each student's potential in reading, writing, listening and speaking. It is also the de- partment's hope that, within the classes and activities provided, the student will be led to an awareness and appreciation of opr literary heritage and of its role in the development of aesthetic, ethical and moral values. The department believes that its of- ferings will be valuable in the student's personal, social and occupational life.

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BIOLOGY AND SCIENCE DEPARTMENT Biology is a lecture and laboratory course in the basic principles of the living world and their practical applications to the affairs of man. The history of some of the more important biological concepts such as evolution, genetics, and a sur- vey of the plant and animal kingdoms ore included. To give the student an under- standing of the operation of the world of life is the prime objective. General Science gives a survey in depth in providing an understanding and over- view of basic science. It helps to meet the needs of students to prepare for the continuation in specialized high school courses and for the responsibilities of well informed citizens. Material from recent investigations in Geo-physics, uses of atomic energy, space exploration, and electronics helps carry the student beyond the limits of learning set in elementary science. Gerald Telgenhof, Charles Martin. James Houck INDUSTRIAL ARTS DEPARTMENT The aims and goals of the Industrial Arts Department include the following: to stress importance of planning and work- ing together, to develop interest in in- dustrial arts fields, to provide for skills and the development of these skills, to introduce techniques of modern industrial materials and processes, to develop habits of neatness, citizenship and safety, and to contribute generally to the aca- demic growth and development of the individual.