George Washington High School - Cavalier Yearbook (Danville, VA)

Page 30 text:

Science, Key to Greater Tomorrow, Unlocks Doors Teacher and inventor, Mr. William Pergenson, Science department head, is in deep concentration. He tinkers with the vacuum tube volt meter which he constmcted, saving the school $40.00 and bringing honor to himself. “Science marches on!”, a familiar cliche, was the motto of the Science department this year. Because of college require- ments for background in science, the de- partment has expanded and geared its courses to include emphasis on experi- ments and laboratory work. The greatest change came to freshman science, which introduces the student to elementary laws of physics and fundamentals of chemistry. These classes, under the name of Quan- tative Physical Science, were set up in cooperation with sponsoring Duke Uni- versity. GW was one of thirty-five schools that tested this program, including ninety per cent laboratory work with class- room and text study. Materials and sup- plies were furnished by Duke. All the sciences beyond freshman level took up a new and more detailed cur- riculum, with chemistry, biology and physics making noticeable updating. The emphasis here was more experimentation and personal training. The students did an increased amount of laboratory work. They were encouraged to form their con- clusions on the basis of the material, reading and text and discussion in class. Thought provoking poster located in SlOl (physics class, Mr. William Pergerson teacher) never fails to evoke downhearted sighs from both classes which explore the intricacies of physics. They know with this advance warn- ing there’s no apple-polishing. SCIENCE DEPARTMENT GROUP Sittinp,: Miss Jeanne Ham, Miss Ann Ratcliffe, Miss Johnnie Fullerwinder. Standing: Mr. William Pergerson, Head; Mrs. Patricia Wilson, Mrs. Alice Pfirrmann, Miss Sharon Zipse. 28

Page 29 text:

THE STUDENTS . . . working with the teachers in the classroom and in valuable extra-curricula projects . . . bringing glory to their school through outstanding achievements on College Boards and NMSQT testings . . . These learners are j a part of an ever-changing, ever-progress- ing educational concept.

Page 31 text:

Assisting Miss Ann Ratcliff e, science teacher, in a diabolical experi- ment is mad scientist Ray Smart. With an ever-advancing science curriculum, the mysteries of formulas and chemical elements take on new meaning. Slinkies Reveal Wave Motion to Beware! Mr. Marshall Pender and Mrs. Pa- tricia Wilson (biology specialist) are ap- proaching with an additional supply of microscopes for unsuspecting students who hoped they would have it easy. Physics Students Afraid of goofing up as he dissects his first sting ray, Rodger Cook carefully undertakes his biology experiment with the undivided attention of Miss Betty Lou Jefferson, his teacher. Practicing for their own TV Science program, Mr. George Fritzinger, Mrs. Joyce Lewis, and Mr. Charles Stephenson give the camera man a winning smile during their 5,232nd rehearsal. (Would you believe “second?”) Click it! 29