B.H.S. SCIENCE DISPLAY

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29956, 18 October 1962, Page 19

B.H.S. SCIENCE DISPLAY

New Equipment On Display

Parents who accompanied their sons to the Christchurch Boys’ High School last evening for the annual science display found many radical changes in equipment and methods of teaching since they ■were at school. This year the physics department was the chief source of interest, though probably few outside those directly concerned appreciated its significance. The Christchurch Boys’ High School is one of those chosen for the introduction of a new type of course and last evening the new equipment was on display. The new method was devised by a group of leading American scientists when it was found that the United States, was lagging in physics teaching. The course devised changes the emphasis in basic principles and is said to be more effective and faster.

After explanations in I Auckland by scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the American syllabus was adapted to New Zealand conditions and has been described to groups of I physics teachers wh o are conducting pilot schemes. Another innovation displayed was the new metre-kilogram-second standard of measurement which is being used in place of the centi-metre-gram-seccnd scale. Other highlights of laboratory displays were a ripple tank for the study of wave motion, demonstrations of dissection and the training of animals ,an ecological survey of Deans bush, and molecular models.

All of the displays were set up and demonstrated by boys in chemistry, physics, biology, and general science classes. At least 500 parents attended.