Erasmus Hall High School - Arch Yearbook (Brooklyn, NY)

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Thomas G. Lawrence Chairman BIOLOGY Mr. Morton Roggen suspiciously eyes three pupils. Intrigue afoot! Mr. Thomas Lawrence and Shelley Chess plot the assassination of a brine shrimp as Freddi Shurr looks on aghast. The science of biology encompasses all living things. Since most of us belong to this category, it is not surprising that biology had such Wide appeal. Under the inspiration of its instructors, this department was Well equipped to meet our needs. As first termers We generally learned general facts about all branches of science in regular or general science classses. As sophomores we took biology. During laboratory sessions We could be observed intently following hairy paramecia through jungles of spirogyra, intently cutting up frogs, or merely intently paying attention to our fascinating biology teachers. The steadily mounting enthusiasm with which we performed these acts led many of us to take Thomas Law- rence's Zoology course, open to seniors who demonstrated unusual ability and interest in the field. Zoology acquainted us with the members of the animal kingdom, their structure and habits, and their relationship to one another. The achievements of Erasmus science students this year in award programs, such as the Westinghouse Talent Search and the Science Fair, were truly outstanding. This was due in large measure to the equipment and encouragement provided in generous quantities by the Biology Department.

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PHYSICAL SCIENCES Erasmus Hall's share of the Space Age consists of a row of third floor rooms noted for the endless variety of interesting odors which they emit. This area is the headquarters of the Physical Science Department, where we became ac- quainted with the way things tick. Many learned the nature of strange-looking substances in the various chemistry courses given at Erasmus. Students following general programs took applied chemistry, while academic students who liked to solve problems, dissolve chemicals, and resolve liquids were offered regular chemistry. Talented seniors had the opportunity to do further work in the advanced chemistry class taught by Ellis Katzmang many received college credit for their work. Those who wished to avoid the embarrassment of dropping test tubes chose physics or earth science. Physics was con- cerned with the scientific explanations of such familiar phe- nomena as light, heat, and sound. Earth science, which added an honor class this year, dealt with such things as oceans, puddles, mountains, and, perhaps, an occasional molehill fwithout the mole, of course. That was for the Biology Department down the hallj. Student interest was not limited to the classroom. Much independent work was done by those taking advantage of the school project room. Although Erasmus has yet to win a Nobel Prize, many of these projects were highly successful in various science competitions. VVho knows what future scientists were spawned in that row of classrooms where the ghosts of Newton and Lavoisier continue to thread through crowded corridors, constantly on their guard for enthusiastic scientists-to-be, long after the Class of 1961 has gone? Ellis Katzman Chairman

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l.N.,..i,. -l Chairman The birds of Brooklyn are a happier lot today, thanks to the noble efforts of the students of the Industrial Arts Department. With plans by Drafting, walls by Woodworking, lighting by Electricity, and plumbing by Metal, the bird houses constructed easily ranked with the most luxurious duplex homes. Work in the four shops had a common purpose: to develop our manual and technical skills and to encourage creative expression through the use of tools and materials. In wood- working we gained valuable experience in carpentry and in It's two against one as Richard Squires and Anthony Torre team up to hit a nail on the head. drawing class. Clarence Martin the use of woodworking equipment. Metal shop taught us how to work iron, steel, and copper and how to construct products of metal. Electrical theory and methods of con- struction and operation of electrical apparatus were inte- grated in electrical shop. Mechanical drawing introduced us to drafting and blueprinting, essential skills for the engineer. Whether for vocational or avocational purposes, those of us who took Industrial Arts courses received valuable prep- aration. We left Erasmus with an excellent understanding of industrial processes and materials. Myron Feldstein designs a better mousetrap in mechanical John McDonough intently knocks a chip off the old block.