Oil City High School - Oil Can Yearbook (Oil City, PA)

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Science department expands with changing times The science department offers a variety of courses to satisfy the many interests of OCHS students. The three basic sciences are: physical science, which is a background for physics; earth science, the study of physical aspects of the earth and its atmosphere; and space science, which is the study of stars and their relation to mathematics, chemistry, and physics. Biology, the study of the life functions of both plants and animals, is offered on three different levels, general biology. Biology I. and Biology II. Physics, the study of the basic laws of physical science and how they apply to modern man. is offered only as a one-year course; however, in the future, a Physics II class will be offered. The students of Chemistry I and II examine the structure and bonding in chemical compounds, the relation between structure and properties of substances, the energy changes which take place when substances react, and the mathematical relationship between chemical reactants and products. A general chemistry class will be added to the curriculum next year. Horticulture is a semester elective which concerns greenhouse techniques and the care and propagation of common and exotic house plants. Ecology, another semester elective, is the study of man’s relationship to his environment and the general biological and physical factors characteristic of the earth’s environment. Top: Concentrating on a lab experiment. Top middle left: nnnyyesss!” — Mr. Hohman Bottom middle left: The effects of radiation? Middle right. I should have given this up when I burnt the ceiling!” — Fuzz Center left: Frank wonders where the mysterious helping hand is coming from. Center right: Future scientists?

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History Department right on time with past and present The Social Studies Department has five basic courses: American and World Cultures. Critical Issues. World Cultures, American Cultures, and Problems of Democracy. American and World Cultures deals with the cultures of America and of ancient and modern nations of the world. American Cultures is a more detailed examination of our country’s past and present. Critical Issues takes an in-depth look at current issues that are affecting society today. World Cultures is a survey course covering the history and cultures of mankind from the earliest times to the present day. Problems of Democracy studies the various problems and challenges of our democracy. Students in Mr. Highfield’s Comprehensive Social Studies classes got the opportunity to compete with other Pennsylvania high schools in a stock market game. In the game, groups of students started out with an imaginary 100,000 dollars in order to purchase stock; later they were given another 100.000 dollars for further investments. Students were able to buy any stock with the exception of preferred stock and were ranked according to the success of their investments. All students are required to have four years of social studies before graduation. Along with the courses already mentioned. Sociology and Military History of the U.S. are offered as electives. Top left: Mr. Flath puts the moves on Mike Haslett. Top right: Mr. John Axelson. Middle: Department head Carl Pierce proudly shows off his class. Bottom left-. Lisa Martin gives a report on drunk driving as part of a critical issues project. Bottom middle: Joe gets into drugs in Mr. Flath's class. Below: Mr. Flath bronzed his baby shoe a little late in life. 23

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New computers further develop math department O.C.H.S. has various comprehensive math course offerings. Mathematics levels I and II prepare a student for algebra and eliminate student deficiencies. General math is the emphasis of basic mathematical skills. Advanced Mathematics is a review of arithmetic. Algebra I and applied topics from plane geometry and trigonometry. Algebra I deals with performing and proving algebraic processes. Algebra II emphasizes algebraic processes and applied problems-, Algebra II — trigonometry covers a semester of trigonometry also. Plane geometry, the study of relationships between plane figures, is covered in geometry, as well as topics from three-dimensional geometry. Analysis covers topics from pre-calculus and differential calculus and prepares a student for Calculus, which is the study of functions and limits. Students can receive college credit for this calculus course. The latest and most expanding part of the math department is the study of computers. Previously two courses dealing with the basic language were offered. Computer Science I and Computer Science II. Now. however, with the arrival of the SP 9000, not only has computer science become one of the most popular electives offered but also the entire program has expanded to four courses: Comp. Sci. I and II, Pascal, and Advanced Pascal. The SP 9000 is accessible in two kinds of Basic. Fortran, Cobalt, Apl, Pascal, and Assembler. Computers in most other schools do not have this capacity. The tremendous networking system allows every student to utilize hard discs, floppy discs, and printers. In the future, computer science teachers will definitely be offering a Computer Club. Last year. Mr. Shoup had sessions after school for OCHS teachers who were interested in learning more about computers. Also, the grading system used by many teachers is done by computer, and Mr. Melnick developed the scheduling for wrestling tournaments by use of computer. Both students and teachers take advantage of the new computer system. Top: Please excuse my dear Aunt Sally.” Mr. Husband Middle left: Jeff Davis sneaks a peek. Middle right: Any questions, comments, or smart remarks?” — Mr. Shoup Bottom left: You students are not going to get the best of me today.” — Mr. Webster 25 Bottom right: A new generation of whiz kids.