Muskegon Heights High School - Oaks Yearbook (Muskegon Heights, MI)

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THE OAKS 99 There's something evil brewing. Centuries ago, during the Dark Ages, the science of chemistry began to develop under the guise of what was then called alchemy. Alchemy originated in Egypt, and the god Hermes Trismegistus is represented as being its father. Alchemy was proba- bly introduced into Europe by the Arabians. There were two schools of alchemists: those who studied the properties of chemicals for the purpose of duping their fellowmen through sorcery and magic: and those who sought knowledge for legitimate use. Both schools of alchemists believed in the transmutation of metals-that is, that all metals could be turned to gold by a philosophers stone, if that stone could only be found: a universal solvent: and the elixir of life- that is, some tluid which would dissolve gold and perpetuate life. From such dahbling in sorcery and magic grew the modern science of chemistry. To the inexperienced eye. much of chemistry would still seem CHEMISTRY Earl Schwass sorcery and magic. XYe little realize what an important part chemistry our everyday lives. lfnless studied chemistry he would plays in one has be surprised to learn that in seasoning his food with ordinary table salt he is using chemically processed Sodium formula NaCl, atomic weight, 58.52 and that by passing an Chloride, electric current through melted table salt the deadly poisonous gas, chlo- rine, is set free. All this sounds magical but to the student of chemis- try it is simple and logical. The chemistry student divides his time between the classroom and the laboratory both of which are under the instruction of Mr. R. L. Rake- straw, studying what he should in the classroom, and actually performing the experiment and tinding out for him- self in the laboratory. Back Tables, Left to Right: Phillips, Pedler thalf-hiddenj. F. Murray, R. Rakestraw, J. Finger, Mr. Rakestraw, instructor, Brunk, Currey: Artell Blanshine, Friese tboth facing back wallj Front Tables: Larsen, Waalkes, Diesel, Shuttie. J. Thomas, R. Johnson 5 7 1 4 . lllllll

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98 THE OAKS Back Tables, Left to Right: Shuttie, Kobierski, Mixer, Blanshine, Raulin, Dodds, Dawes, Loiifers, Miller, Mr. Rakestraw. instructor Middle Tables, Left to Right: Morningstar, Leatherman. Jozsa. Walicki, Batchelder, W. Johnson Front Tables, Left to Right: J. Finger. J. Anderson, M. Dendrino, Reelman, Turner PHYSICS Benjamin Franklin had a knack for it, too. Jack Mixer Physics, to begin with, is a study of the physical changes in matter. lt is comprised of several divisions of study: heat, light, sound, electricity, and mechanics. These live sections are intensely studied during the year under direction of Mr. R. L. Rake- straw. The method of instruction follows an accepted laboratory manual and text. The experiments performed run parallel to the work in the text, or- dinarily. lfVith the exception of several hours a week spent on laboratory work, the rest of the time is spent in the lecture and recitation room. By this method of having the students do the experiments themselves, they come in closer contact with the work and re- member it longer. The laboratory in our school re- mains the same size, but the amount of equipment is increased from year to year. The incoming classes always have the use of the equipment obtain- ed in previous years, plus a little more new equipment which Mr. Rakestraw managed to obtain during summer va- cation. The equipment used represents a substantial amount of money, and yet there are many pieces of apparatus which would improve the lab consider- ably. Anyone- who studies physics will Find at some time during the year something which will appeal to him. If it is practical training which he needs, to lit him in part for being an electrician or a mechanic or a chemist or a plumber, he will find what he wants here. If it is more advanced study which he desires, looking for- ward to a profession, he will Find the beginnings here. If it is simply skill and dexterity for household use, that, too, can be found in the physics course. Mr. Rakestraw has faith in his stu- dents, and as a result, they have faith in their work, whatever may be their goal.

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100 THE OAKS MATHEMATICS Yes, ma'am, it's an octa-octa-octahedron! Allison Blanshine Students wishing to study mathe- matics, whether they intend to be engi- neers, business men or women, or simply managers of a home, will find there is about as complete a course here as could be desired. Four semesters of algebra, two of plane geometry, one of solid geometry, and one of trigonometry, are offered. Beginning algebra, and advanced alge- bra are taught by Miss Florence Kurtz: college algebra, by Miss Vera Cum- mings. lllane geometry is a sophomore course extending throughout the year and is taught by both Miss Kurtz and Miss Cummings. Solid geometry and trig are taught by Miss Cummings. First year algebra deals with the fundamental operations and the use of positive and negative expressions. Un- less the student continues in mathe- matics, this first year's work will prove of little practical value aside from the practice which may carry over into business mathematics, soc- ial, or science, studies. Third semester algebra stresses functions and their graphs, the graph- ical solution of equations with both one and two unknowns College algebra deals with the quadratiefequa- tion, their graphs, the study of pro- gressions, permutations, combinations, and determinants. Students who do not use this credit toward graduation, have been allowed college credit. Plane geometry is the study of tri- angles, parallel lines, circles, polygons. and rectilinear tigures. Solid geometry is the study of prisms, pyramids, cylin- ders, cones, spheres, and their uses. Trigonometry presents the function of an acute angle of a right triangle. It demonstrates that the function of any angle can be reduced to the func- tion of an acute angle, and applies this principle to the study of the right and oblique triangles. Row on Left, Facing Glock: Buddy Dendrino fin immediate foregroundb: Irene and Julia Kosteles are hidden. Standing at Blackboard. Left to Right: S. Polanyi. Herbert Barfels. Front Row Near Blackboard, Left to Right: Coburn, Sc'1uster, Fortier lhidden, all but earb. Second Row, Left to Right: Hatch, Wood Cpartly hiddenl, Jensen, McFheron, Pierce, Engle, DeMars tnearest clockl. Third Row. Left to Right: E. Purchase, McCormack, Kioi, N. Leisman, Hinchman. Miss Florence Kurtz. instructor, was hidden at far right in this picture. , s..... , l ' . .