Illinois Junior Academy of Science - Yearbook (Urbana, IL)

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GEOLOGY - GEOGRAPHY i

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value of the measurement. Here, the magnetic tape trans- fers the test results to the page printer where print out occurs. The system then resets and is ready to accept the next command. At the conclusion of the testing cycle a launch sequencer is activated which starts a master clock. This clock displays in digital form the time until launch. At T minus zero a simulated missle is fired and the roar of the take-off can be heard. Also built into the display board is a switching system which automatically demonstrates the operation of the mis- sile system by means of a lighted diagram. Tic-Tac-Toe Computer JOHN oRwlN lay Forest Road School LaGrange Park Sponsor: Mr. J. David Johnson The objective of this project was to design a computer to play the game of tic-tac-toe. It is composed of many dual- input logical and gates which are fed by an input-memory p-4:12 Q g..l1'f-.2 ry by elf: iiiigsiii 4 s ' s 3 ' 4 . 15 3515114 ' if-ilslffii iii? l L'fii.3 ii i Fil? 1 ' ' ' sliifg A Q-xiii - . ' T f--Q ' 3111 .Mgt 1' -- Z Ll? L.-:Jia THE LUGIC DF TIS-THErT'Z 2 '-UMC '?f!'if5'lB!XE?'!'F3199f' if' 3 of five stepping switches. These are sequenced and triggered by a sixth stepper and a telephone dial. There are 36 different inputs, nine for each of the different moves, first through fourth. The outputs of the ands and wired in parallel to nine multi-input or gates: one for each of the nine outputs. These feed two-stage transistorized output amplifiers which light bulbs on the display unit. The logic was determined by playing each of the ap- propriate games out and compiling them into a table of numerical game sequences. l

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Fossils NICHOLAS SAWKA l7l Abraham Lincoln Elementary School Cicero Sponsor: Mr. John Leverenz 11' Most people collect for the simple fun of it--for the fun of tramping and exploringg for the excitement of a rare findg for the challenge of working out a perfect specimen. But in the course of doing all this, the layers of sedimentary rocks unfold the pages of a gigantic book, revealing the fas- cinating story of the earth's long and exciting past. Events 50, 100, or 500 million years ago become real because the fos- sils you have found provide a clear connection with bygone ages. With the aid of fossils the reconstruction of prehistoric plants and animals was possible, and the story of the evo- lution of life became clear. Without the evidence of fossils, evolution would still be a theory, not a fact, Fossils help determine whether sediments were formed in shallow or deep seas, in rivers, in swamps or in deserts. Thus they give a clue to the geography and ecology of the past and show how the continents and the seas have changed. ELIZABETH BROUWERS ll0l Riverside-Broolrfield High School Sponsor: Mrs. Rachel Klein The purpose of my project was to become better ac- quainted with paleontology. I have learned a great deal from the odd markings on a rock commonly called a fossil. Fos- sils interpret the age of the earth's history. Mazon Creek, Illinois, is an area where a single period of history can be studied. The Pennsylvanian forests and life are im- pressed in the concretions of the strip mines. Scientists study the tropical forests and ancient life and construct a model of the former life. Fossils can indicate the climate of an area. By studying the strata or layers. the deposits made by each particular era, paleontologists discovered an island which was once near Florida-Appalachia. Fossils fill in many open links of evolution. Through the study of fossils I have become acquainted with geology as well as physics, chemistry, and biology, aspects of which are involved with paleontology. Paleontology is not a dead subject, but a live one which can be used to help every industry and be applied to everyone. Fossils Reveal Ancient Seas NEIL D. HEALEY lol Sterling High School Sterling Sponsor: Jim Zeigler .Few Q My research concerns the study of fossils and how they reveal ancient se-as that covered our state. Fossils are the preserved remains of plants or animals. Preservation may be accomplished by burial, permineraliza- tion, or replacement, to name a few. My collection spans a period of some five hundred thirty five million years and represents nine phylla and plants. Most of my fossils are the remains of aquatic animals. Recptaculites oweni is a very good index fossil, indicating the galena fomnation of mid-ordovician period. I have found receptaculites from New Diggins, Wisconsin, south through Lena, Mt. Carroll, Brookville, Polo, and Dixon, Illinois. It is a reasonable assumption than an ordovician sea covered that area. Rccptaculities is believed to be a sponge. The fossils in my project span the scale of complexity from shark's tooth to simple protozoans. Among the more interesting specimens are the brachiopods. After etching some specimens show the brachia. Brachia are whorl shaped structures from which a cilia covered membrane is sus- pended. The brachiopod strains its food from the water with this organ. I have continued my research by going on geological survey sponsored field trips and exploration of many quar- ries in Illinois.