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

Page 117 text:

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.

Page 116 text:

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-

Page 118 text:

THE TWIG Dramatics- King Henry IV, Pt. I Last year's play was one of the finest ever produced by the Dramatic Society. The abundance of acting talent, lavish costumes, lighting and scenery made it an outstanding success. And indeed it was a success. The production ran six nightsg and at the Central High School of Commerce scenes from the play were accorded the signal honour of being presented before the entire Ontario Teachers' Association Convention. ln all, over 4,000 people saw the play. The title role was taken by Charles Walker, who gave a majestic portrayal and preserved an atmosphere of dignity through- out the play. As Prince Hal, his son, Harry Tattersall made a superb hero , presenting a vigorous, spontaneous performance. Fal- staff-fto quote John Masefieldj uthe most notable figure in English comedy -was magnificent. Mavor Moore proved more than equal to the task of representing this great character. Ralph Sturgeon as Hotspur vividly brought to life the forceful person- ality of that wild, gallant warrior. Worcester, the villain of the piece, be- came a sinister figure in the capable hands of Donald Fowell. Brock McE.lheran gave a fine performance as the Welsh wizard Glendower. Douglas, Hthat turbulent Scot, was well managed by Tom Fletcher. Dale, confronted with the problem of playing the only woman in the cast, Mistress Quickly. nevertheless carried it off well. Hunt, mak- ing the most of his part as Francis, was ex- cellent. He and Bardolph CG. Owen, added greatly to the humour of the comedy scenes. But no account of the play would be com- plete without mention of some of the har- rowing moments of potential failure. There was the time when in the duel to the death Hotspur, the loser, put up such a determined resistance that, forcing the Prince to drop his sword-he won! The awful second of suspense seemed years to those anxiously Watching from the wings. Luckily the duel- lists quickly recovered themselves. Then again, when the trumpet of victory gave a discordant defeated bray, and the corpse of Hotspur had difficulty in restraining its laughter. The strain on those on the stage is shown by the fact that Falstaff lost three pounds under his ample padding, and it is said that members of the stage crew mumbled strange things in their sleep. The stage crew and electricians are to be congratulated on their magnificent work in the building and changing of the sets and the beautiful lighting. The Dramatic Society is deeply indebted to Mr. Ronald Campbell of the O.C.E. for his invaluable assistance with the stage management. The major portion of the credit is due to the director, Mr. L. Gill, whose enthu- siasm and energy made possible the entire production. This year the Dramatic Society is present- ing Macbeth , Among the cast are Mavor Moore as Macbeth, Robert Cameron fthe Vernon of last yearl as Lady Macbeth, Ralph Sturgeon as Macduff, Tom Fletcher as Malcolm, Murray Wilson flast year's Bluntj as Banque, and Don Fowell as Lennox. Under the able direction of Mr. Gill the production promises to be as great a success as its illustrious predecessor. J. M. C.