Pontiac Senior High School - Quiver Yearbook (Pontiac, MI)

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We have here pictures of our illustrious pedagogues who have entered the fields of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Among these pictures we find some of the students who take these courses. Upper left, we find a group of Chemistry students performing an interesting experiment. They are, left to right: Novella Reed, Kenneth Sands, Marie Dingee, and Selmar Sands. Biology is also the foundation of farming and garden¬ ing, and upon its laws are based the care and breeding of all domestic animals and plants, and the conservation of Faculty pictures left to right, Row 1: Mr. A. P. Sweet, Mr. Forrest E. Brown. Row 2: Mrs. Agnes Buckley, Mr. Paul Allison, Miss Dorothy King, Mr. P. B. Line. Row 3: Mr. T. E. Wiersema, Mr. George Spotts. In the lower right hand corner we find two Physics students, left to right: Richard Crawley and Patricia Harrison. natural resources, such as forests and beneficial animals. Another important function in the biology course is that part which deals with hygiene. This includes the study Page twelve

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T he 19 4 1 Quiver stant struggle mankind has had in order to attain greater freedom — economic, intellectual, religious, political, etc., in our world. Some of the history studied in this course is the age of Louis XIV, Napoleon and the French Revolution, unifi¬ cation of Italy and Germany, the various European wars th roughout the centuries, and the modern governments in Europe. Modern History isn’t required for high school gradu¬ ation, hut many students take it to help them in getting a history major. United States history is also a two semester course, which all students in our school must take before they are eligible to graduate. This course teaches to the pupil the history of the past as a basis for the interpretation of the political, social, and economic tendencies of the present. It also creates an interest in present day events, by the use of the weekly current events magazine, The American Observer. United States History I consists of the discovery and exploration of America, the history of the thirteen colonies and the Revolutionary War, the critical period in American history and the formation of our Constitution, the estab¬ lishment of new government and the development of nationality, the territorial expansion and sectional strife. United States History II starts with the Civil War and teaches the history of our country up to the present day. Another course required for graduation is Civics which is a one semester subject, usually taken during the senior B year. The primary aim of the study of civics is the prepara¬ tion of young people for intelligent citizenship in a con¬ stantly changing democracy. In order that this high aim may he accomplished the study must be enlivened through constant application to present day conditions and needs. This course acquaints the student with the actual ope¬ ration of the National, State, and Local governments under which he lives. Economics, the only one semester course that can make up a major, is the study of how man makes his living. It deals with the production, exchange, distribution, and consumption of wealth. Pupils taking this course learn the many laws and principles governing money and its returns. They also learn how capital is created, corpora¬ tions formed, how to select stocks and bonds, and many other things that will become more helpful to them as they grow older. Consumers Education is the course designed to teach students not only how to buy wisely and economically, but also how to select the brands of goods which are best. In th is class an extensive study of advertising methods is studied and students learn to distinguish between the false and true advertising. International Relations, another one semester course, is taught to acquaint students with world movements and their relation to the United States. It also impresses upon the students the advantages of a democracy. American Problems is also taught for one semester to interest students in the social and economic problems to The teachers of the History Department are, row one (left to right) Mr. C. T. Forsman, departmental head; Miss M. A. Barnett, Mr. H. G. Bevington. Row 2—Mr. C. N. Dearing, Mr. R. N. Jervis, Mrs. H. A. Miller. Row 3—Miss Z. I. Walker, Mr. P. J. Wargelin, Mrs. M. C. Whitfield. Miss Barnett will retire from active teaching service at the end of this year. such an extent that he will on his own initiative continue to study and think upon these problems. The general sciences are also very important subjects in the curricula of many students, especially those who plan to meet college and university requirements for medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, nursing, engineering, and various teaching courses. Biology, the most common of the science courses, is a one year course. There are few subjects that add so much to general culture by introducing us to new worlds of interest and increasing our information. Biological know¬ ledge will increase the enjoyment of every hike or trip into the country, and thus he of value in enjoying leisure time throughout life. The study of biology increases the powers of observa¬ tion, as well as emphasizes the most interesting things to look for. The ability to think and reason is one of the chief aims of the laboratory work in biology or any other science as mere observations of facts is not enough for one should he able to draw correct conclusions from what lie sees. Page eleven

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The 1941 Quiver Christine Mooney and Richard Mathews carefully work out theo- the left; and Mr. Woodrow W. Morris and Miss Hazel All- rems for Math class. The faculty of the mathematics department chin, at the right, consists of Miss Margaret Stewart and Mr. S. M. Dudley, at MatUe maticA JieciAacli i of the cause and prevention of disease, the importance of mental health, the work of bacteria, and the means of maintaining sanitation. In brief, Biology makes life richer and more meaning¬ ful. Chemistry may very often be termed as fun, especially for me as I enjoyed the laboratory experiments immensely. This subject can teach you that nature is governed by law, as under identical conditions identical changes occur. Chemistry can show you that you owe your modern comforts and conveniences to many great men who labored long hours to learn the secrets of nature. Some of these scientists have devoted their whole lives to research work and the problem of these men are studied to teach the pupils what conditions actually existed, and then, too, these problems are also intensely interesting in them¬ selves. This study teaches you to appreciate more our great men of science. Chemistry can give you a wealth of valuable and in¬ teresting information. The “hows” and “whys” of science afford an endless source of enjoyment and pupils learn many things which are very common about them, but not realized, such as rusting, why alcohol is put into auto¬ mobile radiators, ways to make iodine, what happens to milk when it sours, how doctors use chemicals to cure diseases, and a great many other things. To the industrious chemistry student who understands the big chemical principles under which nature works and who is interested in uncovering nature’s secrets, there will always be worth-while opportunities. Here in our school, chemistry students spend half of their class periods in the laboratory where they experiment to learn facts through their own efforts. Physics, which I’ve heard is one of the most difficult studies in our curriculum, is the third division of science which I shall describe. This course deals with mechanics, heat, sound, light, magnetism and electricity. It explains what these things are, how they have been applied for man’s benefit and pleasure, and how the appliances work. The aims of the physics course are to enable the student to understand the operation of such devices as the pump, vacuum cleaner, furnace, electric lights, telephone, radio and innumerable others; to enable the student to discriminate between good and poor construction; and, finally, to enable the student to make minor repairs and adjustments in home appliances. The courses in the mathematics department include Geometry I, II, and III, Algebra III and IV and Trigonom¬ etry. Most of the students who take these subjects are those who follow a college preparatory course. The student who wishes to take Algebra III must first have taken Algebra I and II, while Algebra II is required for a semester of Trigonometry. In Geometry I and II the student learns about planes, how to make the construction of the equal angle and right angle and also how to work out the proof. It is in this course, also, that they learn some appreciation of mathe¬ matics in connection with the world. With Geometry I and II as a basis, students of Geometry III study the relationships of planes. They also learn the Page thirteen