Perry Meridian High School - Passages Yearbook (Indianapolis, IN)

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viser and biology teacher, took charge of the planetarium. He replied to some questions about it. The planetariimi was used to present pro- grams about all aspects of astronomy to every age level kindergarten to senior citizens. It v?as used to teach concepts of astronomy and supple- ment classroom instruction. It could be utilized by almost any class science, foreign language, English, etc. The planetarium originally cost 315,000 which only included the planetarium projector and dome ceil- ing, not the room. Most of the time, the planetarium was filled with elementary schools, parochial schools, scouting groups, and other schools outside of Perry Township. Mr. Nichols taught an evening astronomy class in connection with lUPUI in which the planetarittm was used. The planetariiim was valuable not only for its cost, but for all the knowledge learned. David Wright ' 83, the 1983 science department award winner, had to say some things about his award. First, I was going into the field of chemical engineering because I had a great in- terest in it. I was honored to receive the award because I have always worked hard in my science classes and to be considered the best science student during the last four years. David finished by saying that if one wanted to get a good science educa- tion, he could have gotten as good an education as in most science depart- ments in the area. The science department held its first aimual fair. It was a chance for Perry students to exhibit scientific skills, let the school see their crea- tions, and win prizes for their crea- tions. First prize was a home com- puter, second prize was a pro- gramable calculator, and third was an AM FM stereo with headphones. It was designed to get students in- terested in science and to pursue it. Duane Miner ' 86 said, Earth science was not an ordinary class. We did all kinds of experiments and did not sit around all of the time. We did experiments on temperature, weather and climate, and the metric system. The new science fair, the gradua- tion requirements, and the every-year things raised questions about many areas in the science department from the earth to the universe and life itself. All of this proved Ufe really was a science in the science department. SCIENCE 161 m

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Life Is a Seieuee The second year of teaching at Perry rolled around for Mr. Brett An- drews, biology teacher. He com- mented hghtly, I thought this was the best science department that this school had. Seriously, I thought that it was an excellent department because everybody helped one another and me as a rookie. I was very blessed to be here. On the sub- ject of leaf collections, he said, We classified the kinds of leaves and became familiar with their natural surroundings. Mr. Andrews then commented humorously again about the new equipment that was acquired in the science department, I received new cotton balls, toothpicks, straws, seating charts, and paper clips. I think some benefits from taking science courses were that one would have acquired a solid base of educa- tion for future scientific courses and everything in life, knowledge of how one functioned, and a basis about life, nature, weather, math, and history. Mr. Andrews concluded by saying that for every type of science, there was a good sized following of students. Mr. Greg Harveth, biology and earth science teacher, stated, We were able to get most of the things that we requested like microscopes and other materials. We have been able to keep all of the science classes in one area of the school. I thought that we were a very close-knit depart- ment and had the ability to share equipment with other teachers. In physics, they used a laser which was a piece of new equipment acquired. We thought about starting projects that dealt with the space shuttle and other space projects. Mr. Harveth continued by saying that science courses helped college bound students and almost anyone who had a job. I thought that biology was the most popular course in this depart- ment because college bound freshmen liked to explore this type of science. Mr. David Gerkensmeyer, depart- ment chairman and biology teacher, said, The enrollment of the science department stayed the same, but, because of the new state law which said that two years of science were required in high school, the popula- tion of the science department will rise. Science played a constant increas- ing role in students ' lives. It forced many decisions about curriculum upon society. It required a population well-informed about science and the methods of science. The science department covered many areas with its curriculum, offered general science courses, and prepared students for a science incorporated world. Some teachers commented about some of the improvements, activities of the classroom, and new projects. Mr. Gary Brendel, biology teacher, voiced his opinion, I thought there was an overall improvement in students ' academic interest and par- ticipation. The department had a greater awareness of gifted and talented students through the assistance of the guidance depart- ment. We would like to have been more informative about environmen- tal issues, and to have had more input from our community since it offered the science department a lot. One project my biology classes par- ticipated in was dissection. In previous years, we used a fetal pig to dissect, but because of costs and other figures, we switched to the mature frog. The structure was more developed in an adult frog than in a fetal pig. At least a third of the year was spent in lab experiences. The science department had Dr. Rhine come in and talk to science and in- terested students about genetics and genetic defects. We also tried to get other speakers to speak to us. Mr. Brendel thought many students realized a science education is not a guarantee to a good job, but it in- creases the chances for one. We pur- chased new glass displays which showed the relationship among animals and the objects that they camouflage. I added to my room an aquarium and some plants to show varieties of plant life and to add hominess to the classroom. I received microscope slides to examine specimen, plastamounts, and skulls of the human. Mr. James Nichols, planetarium ad- 160 SCIENCE

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Anaeomp provides neiv experienees. The social studies department made changes to better the 1984 school year. One such change was the addition of a new course called Ap- phed Economics, sponsored by Jimior Achievement and taught by Mrs. Ginger Faber. She formed a company called Anaeomp. The students sold stock in their company and also received salaries. The Anaeomp Com- pany sold paint brush note pads and safety lights for cars. The teachers taught a wider variety of topics, en- couraged motivation, and gave the students more of an opportunity to earn good grades. Some classes in the department were involved with new and in- f . Mr. Ron Cunningham gives Brian Armstrong ' 85 some assistance with US History. I) ' )iig May ' 8.5 does some quick sHulylnK of the Constitution before u US teresting projects. The government classes made up their own minor political parties to which they made platforms and chose mascots. Props, such as dressing up like a politician and confetti, made it seem like a real political gathering. Students com- pared other countries with the United States economically, politically, and culturally. They created a video game on civil rights, made interviews with people of all ages and wrote editorials on various topics. Mrs. Joann Brown, geography and U S history teacher, said, I gave the student an idea and they had to create something im- aginative from that. She mentioned an example where she told the stu- dent to create an island large in size, and create a name, a place on the earth, government, agriculture, religion, and other specifications. The most well-liked of all activities in the social studies department was mock congress. The students were expected to write a bill on the na- tional level, to research it, and prepare a primary supporting speech to give should it reach the floor for debate. The students were members of standing cormnittees to discuss bills which they received. They were asked to dress up to encourage them to play the role of a congressperson. Social studies teachers were hop- ing to see some courses approved. Mrs. Evelina Brown, government teacher, stated, I would like to see government be offered a fuU year with students having a choice of continu- ing or choosing an elective. Duiing the second semester, teachers would teach about state and local govern- ment. Mr. David Moultin, sociology and government teacher, indicated, I would like as E S sociology course be approved in our department cur- riculum because I feel that there is a need for excelling students in this area. Other coxirses wanted were an Indiana History course, a world ' s culture course which would study about the world ' s people, and a world ' s religion course which would study about all the various religions of the world. The benefits of taking a social studies course ranged from preparing for life, learning to express oneself, 162 SOCIAL STUDIES