Valdosta High School - Sandspur Yearbook (Valdosta, GA)

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Research Updates Science Curriculum Have your mice responded to chemical treatment yet? What is the coagulation time of a bird dog's blood? . . . From the first week of school until spring, questions like these echo through the halls of VHS. All of this questioning frenzy is the result of the science department's policy of requiring individual projects. Experiments in biology classes range from trying to determine the germ-killing power of different soaps to the study of hybridization in the lespedeza plant. Physics students work with such subjects as the application of the tunnel diode and the proof of Lenz's Law. Projects in chemistry classes include de- termining the molecular weight of sugar and pre- paring nitric acid. Students bring their research to a climax in the spring when many of them enter district and state science fairs. There the projects are exhibited and judged. Research enables science students at each level to supplement regular textbook study. In this way the science curriculum keeps abreast of an ever-increas- ing body of knowledge. MR. W. E. DAVIS B.S., M.S., Auburn University, physical education, school administration, science. South Georgia College. Teaches: Physics, chemistry, physical education. Mr. William E. Davis, chemistry and physics teacher, examines a crystal that he is growing for his classes. 22

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Math Courses Blend Ancient Lore With Space-Age Skills Numbers from Arabia and reasoning from Greece —simple algebra and plane geometry—form the core of the mathematics curriculum at VHS. More challenging courses meet the demands of space-age living. Math V combines analytical geom- etry, calculus, probability, and determinants. In Al- gebra III and trigonometry, the study of functions, relations, word problems, and slopes is carried out. Although only two years of math are required for graduation, most college-bound students choose Al- gebra I, Algebra II, plane geometry, Algebra III and trigonometry. MRS. MARVIN EVANS A. B., Winthrop College; M.A., Peabody College, phy- sics, mathematics. Teaches: mathematics. J. M. ROGERS B. S., Valdosta State College, mathematics; Columbia Junior College. Teaches: Algebra II. Sponsors: Math Club, junior class. Mrs. Marvin Evans discusses a modern concept of mathematics with Mr. Mike Rogers. 21

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MR. C. B. LeFILES B.S., Valdosta State College, business administration, biology; South Georgia College. Teaches: General biology, business math. MRS. GRADY MASSEY B.S., Valdosta State College, chemistry, biology; M.S., Columbia University; AA.I.T., Science Fellowship Grant. Teaches: General biology, college biology. Sponsors: Science Club. MR. JOHN B. ROLAND B.S., M.S., Troy State College, physical education, science; University of Georgia. Teaches: Biology, government, phys- ical education. Bill Sikes, Joe Price, Gee Gee Clarkston, and to discover the mystery of cell structure. Freddy Sims look through their microscopes 23 Mr. Julian M. Lefiles explains the importance of the stamen in the life process of plants. Mrs. Grady Massey and Mr. J. B. Roland listen and observe.