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THE WORKSHOP IN NATURE WORK

AUGUSTUS LUDWIG, Instructor Manual Training, P. S. 10, Manhattan

The object of this paper is to show briefly how the workshop can be made. a useful factor in the nature work of the different grades-how shopwork and nature work can be closely correlated so as to develop and maintain an interest in both. Various forms of appliances or apparatus can be constructed in the shop, which would make possible, or at least facilitate, the study of animal and vegetable life. Physical phenomena and laws also can very often be brought within the understanding of the child mind. by a simple apparatus constructed in the shop.

In the short space allotted to this paper only a few of the schemes or methods of securing this mutual assistance and correlation can be suggested. I shall endeavor to briefly describe a few of the many objects that can be constructed with this end in view. To be sure, many changes or modifications of the objects may be made so as to suit the individual needs of the teacher. Nor is it within the province of this paper to enter into detail in regard to the manner of using the different objects suggested.

The ordinary terrarium which should be found in every class-room, at least of the primary grades, is an object that can readily be made by the boys in the shop. By its use plant and animal life would be studied by the children with great interest and attention. In it could be placed cocoons whose development would be watched

by the pupils with absorbing interest. Inside of the terrarium could also be placed a vessel containing earth and water, by means of which the development of the polliwog to the frog could be shown. The habits of other small animals, such as the newt, toad, turtle, etc., could also be studied. The addition of small plants would add to the instructive and artistic value.

FIG. I

Figure I. represents one form of a

terrarium. This consists of a framework of wood, as shown in the figure. The sides and top may be made of wire netting. One half of the top should be hinged so that it can be raised or lowered and so admit of access to the box or terrarium. A more simple, but perhaps a less artistic, design would be one having a flat, instead of a sloping, roof. A modification of this would be one having the sides and top made of glass, having small apertures to admit of the circulation of air. This could serve to illustrate the growth of ferns and other

small plants in warm and moist climate-a miniature hot-house.

By the use of the ant house as drawn in figure 2 the habits of the ant could be studied. A represents a board in which a groove (B) is cut. From this board runs an upright, to the top of which is attached a second board (C). On this the ant house is placed. The ant house itself consists of two panes of glass which are separated by strips of wood (3% inch thick) along the entire edge with the exception of a space (E) of about one inch. This space serves as an entrance to the house. Sand should then be placed inside the ant house. The groove (B) should be filled with water, so as to prevent the escape of the ants. It will be necessary, therefore, to paint or putty this groove.

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in the study of nature, such as for example, window box, Fig. 4; specimen case, Fig. 5; flower pot stand, Fig. 6; and trellis, Fig. 7; bird perches, window racks bird houses etc.

The subject of physics offers a wide field for the construction of a simple apparatus. Many simple devices can be made which would serve to illustrate the various mechanical laws and physical facts.

In figure 8 we have a simple form of the balance, This can be constructed so as to illustrate the different forms of the lever and to prove its law. It can also be used to find the specific gravity of solids and liquids. The upright (A) is so grooved that the beam (B) can move freely on a pin or pivot. The beam should be made of wood about 3-16 of an inch thick, and of any desired length. Holes should be bored exactly one

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inch apart throughout its entire length. The scale pans can be attached to any portion of the beam by the hooks being inserted in the different holes.

The law of the wheel and axle can、 very easily be explained by means of an apparatus constructed as pictured in figure 9. A and B represent two circular disks, one inch thick, and having diameters of six inches and of three inches respectively. Their edges are grooved. These two disks are glued together so that their centers coincide. They then become a wheel and axle. A quarter inch hole is bored through their centers and a dowel about four inches in length is inserted and glued. In the board (C) an oblong opening is cut so as to permit of the insertion of the wheel and axle. The ends of the dowel rest in the small grooves made in the board. The entire machine is then suspended

FIG. 9

by means of strings (E) attached to the corners. In the groove of the wheel (A) is fastened a string about. thirty-six inches in length; and in the

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groove of the axle (B) is fastened a string about twenty inches in length. It can readily be seen that by attaching a weight to one, and a spring balance to the other, alternately, the law of the wheel and axle can be proved.

To illustrate the law of action and reaction in elastic and non-elastic bodies an apparatus may be made as shown in figure 10. Four balls of glass are suspended by strings of exactly equal length from the sides (A and B). These strings can be fastened to the balls by first gluing thin pieces of kid to them. To illustrate the action and reaction in case of nonelastic bodies two balls of clay may be substituted for those of glass.

Variations in the pitch of vibrating strings can be shown by means of the sonometer. Figure 11 is a drawing of a sonometer, consisting of a long box constructed of thin wood, in the side of which holes are bored as shown. A string fastened at one end passes over a bridge (A) and then

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FIG.12.

over a movable bridge (B). To the other end of this string weights of different sizes are suspended. Strings of different diameters should also be used.

Other devices that can readily be made in the workshop are the rotating wheels, Fig. 12 (which can be used both as a siren and as a color wheel);

barometer stand, Fig. 13; test tube rack, Fig. 14; water wheel, Fig. 15 (instead of using water, sand could be used as a matter of convenience); weather vane, wind-mill, the inclined plane, supports for pulleys and pendulum, crane, etc.

The course of study in shopwork in the New York City schools is a happy mean between the two extreme systems of shopwork-the Russian and the Sloyd. The first four months of each term are devoted to graded exercises suited to the ability of the pupil, bringing in the use of certain tools. The fifth or last month is devoted to the construction of articles designed by the pupils, under the suggestion and guidance of the instructor, and involving the use of the tools already learned. It is only during this latter period that it is desirable and expedient to have the various forms of apparatus made by the pupils. Should occasion require, during the first part of the term, advanced pupils could construct such forms of apparatus after school hours..

In all cases it will be necessary for the teacher of nature study and science to first sketch, and if possible, make working drawings of the appa

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