University of Toronto Schools - Twig Yearbook (Toronto, Ontario Canada)

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THE TWIG THE SCIENCE CLUB Honorary President--Mr. A. Cr. Croal. President-V. C. Mason. Vice-President-j. M. Careless. Secretary-R. W. Davies. Science Editor-J. M. Careless. The Science Club, now in its third year. is well established as one of the minor, but important activities of the School. It has not only given many young scientists an opportunity to delve further into the myster- ies of their favourite field of study, but has also given its members a valuable insight into the intricate workings of numerous fac- tories, it has shown us the enormous differ- ence in methods of management and pro- tection of the workers, used in various establishments. The Science Club also deserves credit for acting as a social club, for it provides an opportunity for the boys of one form to meet those of another. Originally, the club was composed mainly of third formers with a couple of interlopers Cmyself in- cluded, from second. Now, however, every form from 2-B to 5-B is well represented. The main requirement for membership is a true interest in science: an interest deep enough to ensure attendance at every meet- ing. It is never too early or too late to join. l should like to take this opportunity of expressing our thanks to our founder and leader, Mr. Croal, without whose fatherly guidance the club could not survive. V. V. Mason. GENERAL ACTIVITIES Now that it has acquired prestige from its first two successful years, the U.T.S. Science Club is commencing its third season, with the conviction that all its former achieve- ments will be surpassed by those of the present year. The organization can no longer be regarded as an innovation, it has become an integral part of the School. The number of members last season showed a decided increase over the previous year, despite the fact that many from the Upper School graduated, but from the Mid- dle School the club enrolled sufhcient num- bers to easily compensate this decrease. Under the adept supervision of Mr. A. G. Croal, the club took numerous tours, which provided insight into the industrial appli- cation of physics and chemistry, in various commercial concerns. Among those which were visited were Canadian Kodak Com- pany, Canada Packers Limited, Roden Sil- verware Limited, Canada Bud Breweries and the Connaught Laboratories' Experi- mental Farms. However, the ciub did not confine itself to an itinerary programme, for interesting addresses were delivered to the members by such as Mr. Wilhelm, who delivered a very interesting talk, accompanied by experi- ments, on liquid air: by Mr. Fisher on Catalysis, and by Nlr. Grainger on the Inter- national Nickelis refinery at Copper Cliff. Parents' Night was on March l5th last year, and on this occasion, members of the club presented an extensive group of ex-

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THE T WIC Mr. Frank Oldfield favoured the audience with the first of his two groups of songs. His generosity and excellent renditions will long be remembered. The unveiling of the portrait of Dean Althouse was the main event of the eve- ning. On behalf of Parents, Old Boys and the School, lVlr. Armstrong, president of the Old Boys, presented the portrait to the Dean in appreciation of all that he had done for the School during his period as Head- master. ln accepting the portrait, the Dean spoke highly of the Staff, to whom he .attributed the success of the School. He referred to the late Professor H. Crawford's scorn of the tawdryu, to Dr. Porter's unfailing interest in the boys, to Professor T. Craw- ford's success in making mathematics so interesting, and to Professor W. E.. Mac- pherson's ability to make history and books so fascinating to school boys. Dr. Althouse presented the portrait to the University and it was accepted by Dr. Cody who added his words of praise for the Staff's interest in the boys and for their insistence on industry. Mr. Lewis, in a few words, welcomed Parents and Old Boys, assuring them of the Staffs appreciation of their continued in- terest in the School. Tasty refreshments in the libraries and a brief period of dancing brought the enjoy- able evening to a close. THE LITERARY SOCIETY ln 1934-35, the Literary Society was un- usually active. Highly interesting, illustrated lectures were delivered by Prof. Chant and Dean Fitzgerald of The University of Toronto, and a representative of the Pro- vincial Fire lVlarshal's Office. Among others, we enjoyed a most jovial address by The division of the school into three sec- tions, for particular interests, has proved most successful, and will be continued. A prospective programme is being outlined for the coming year, and it is to be hoped that the variety and interest of the speakers may attain the same successful standard of the Paddy Slater, author of The Yellow Briar. past year. THE SCHOOL DANCE The annual school dance will be held either on the Zlst or the 28th of February. Plans are in progress to make this year's At Home a real success. Please watch for the opening of the ticket sale in order to procure your tickets promptly. The Dance Committee. 30

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THE TWIG periments for the entertainment of the par- ents and their friends in the school's chem- istry laboratory. On other occasions at business meetings, members often performed experiments before the other members of the club. ln addition to these tours and addresses, the Bell Telephone Company presented a talking picture at the school, and the mem- bers also attended the convention of the Engineering institute of Canada at the Royal York Hotel on February Sth, where some very interesting papers were read by mem- bers of the convention. Following this, the club was conducted on a tour of the hotel. ln its first major project the Science Club can always pride itself. This was the trip to the Century of Progress at Chicago in I934. It was intended that each year, at the close of the school term, a similar ex- cursion should be undertaken, and so last year, partly as a result of Mr. Grainger's address, the club decided to visit Copper Cliff, Ont., and the International Nickel's refinery there. However, much to the dis- appointment of all, the proposed trip did not materialize. This year it is expected that the club will culminate the season with an educational tour of England, and such an undertaking would more than compensate for last year. R. XV. Davies. LIQUID AIR One of the best features of the Science Club's programme last vear was the address given by Mr. C. Wilhelm, on liquid air. Mr. Wilhelm first explained the processes of liquefaction by the uClaude and l..ende methods and noted some of the liquid's properties. Then, to illustrate these proper- ties, he began a series of experiments of an exceedingly interesting and impressive nature. K From a Dewar vacuum flask he poured a little of the pale blue, seething liquid into a kettle, which he set on a piece of ice. The kettle boiled. This, of course, was due to the fact that the ice was so warm in relation to the temperature of the liquid air that evaporation took place. l-le then took some fruit and vegetables and immersed them in liquid air for a mo- ment. The extremely low temperature ren- dered them so brittle that they were easily shattered by a sharp blow. A rubber ball suffered the same treatment. It seemed un- natural to see an apparently normal carrot or piece of rubber break into fragments when dropped on the desk. Next, using a hammer with a head of mercury, he drove a nail into wood. The head was prepared by pouring the quick- silver into a mold, inserting a handle and freezing the silver-coloured liquid to a dull lead-grey solid C-400 CJ. After each experiment, the liquid air used was emptied on the floor, in a most discon- certing manner. It was a little alarming to see the hissing, bubbling liquid spl-atter at one's feet. Yet in a few seconds all traces of it miraculously disappeared. The air had returned into the atmosphere-and perhaps at that moment we were breathing it. More wonders were to come. A steel ball, dipped in liquid air, was held in a flame, and ice formed upon it. The pres- sure of the rapidly evaporating liquid was utilized to operate small motors and blow whistles. Red mercury bichloride turned to a yellow hue when placed in it. Dry toast burned in a dish of liquid air with a vivid yellow light. Yet perhaps the strangest phenomenon of all to those uninitiated in the mysteries of 'ihigher science was the fact that-as one member put it- you could see what air looked like. It was almost weird to observe our atmosphere thus con- densed before our eyes and watch it perform for us. In every way the lecture proved attrac- tive, and at the termination of his address, Mr. Wilhelm was unanimously thanked for having given us one of the most interesting afternoons in our Club's history. J. M. Careless.