THE CHEMISTRY OPEN HOUSE AS AN AID IN INSTRUCTION RALPHE. DUNBAR, DA~OTA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY, MITCWLL.SOUTH DAXOTA
The chemistry open house project, as employed a t Dakota Wesleyan University, has proved to be a most vitalizing factor in the department of chemistry. This information is therefore supplied with the hope that it may serve as a basis for similar projects in other institutions, both of secondary and college rank. It is realized, of course, that certain modifications would be necessary in order to adapt this program to other situations, and yet the nature of this project lends itself well to such changes as any one might find advisable. Prom an administrative standpoint this project has served a number of varied purposes, most conspicuous among them might he mentioned the greater interest created among the whole student body in the work of the department. Each year a number of students have been attracted and have enrolled for courses in the department through the appeal of this project. Several have later majored in chemistry and proved to he among our most successful students. Also, this project serves as a strong vitalizing force for the students in the department, since all students have always voluntarily cooperated in staging this open house. It might hecalled a recreational project, for no other undertaking has ever proved more enjoyable or profitable. And finally we have always accepted active participation in this project as a substitute for certain term paper requirements in various courses. In order to have a successful open house it is necessary to begin preliminary plans weeks in advance. We have divided the students in our classes into groups of two each. Some instructors might object to this practice, but there is no reason why students might not work alone or in larger groups if local conditions demand such an arrangement. However, we have found through a period of years that this grouping by twos serves our purpose best. Each group then selects a subject for the group project. Students should be urged to write for suggestions, literature, and materials to several industrial companies that are dealing in the product exhibited. Much of our most valuable information comes from these sources. , Students should then study the source material available dealing with the subject under consideration. Each student is expected to be an "authority" on his particular subject. Instructors may use any of the usual methods to check the amount of reading by the various students if they deem it wise and necessary. The students should now be ready, after consultation with the instructor, to outline the essential features of their project. It may be the construction of a miniature plant, preparation of demonstrations, outlining of analytical processes, or the collection of materials for a display. All posters (Fig. I) should he ready several days in advance to
avoid any possibility of disappointment. The department here has always supplied the necessary cardboard to insure uniformity in the posters, for
STUDENTS aon USE IN OPENHOUSEEXHIBIT
this adds much to the general appearance of the display. The apparatus and posters are usually put in place a t the last preceding laboratory period, and are ready for display immediately at the designated hour for the open house.
In the meantime committees have been working on other essential details, su& as the appointment of student guides, the printing of official programs, publicity, and general arrangements and correlation between the various classes. Special invitations are sent to all the chemistry classes, in the surrounding territory several days in advance, calling attention to the main features of the program, and urging their attendance. Once a neighboring high school has attended an open house exhibit, this invitation is usually sufficient to bring them again en masse. The following letter is typical of many received after our last open house exhibit: "We recently dismissed our Physics, Biology, Home Economics and Art and Design classes to attend the Science Day Open House. They were in attendance nearly 100% and I am sure that i t was time well spent.. You exhibited things and gave demonstrations that we are unable to bring to them in our high schools. I hope you have a similar day next year and assure you that I will insist that my Science classes attend." The program, as used during the past three years, consists essentially of three main parts. At 2.00 P.M. an excursion is usually made, to a creamery, laundry, gas plant, or similar place. This feature of the progam is arranged in advance with the managers of the plants visited, and suitable guides and directions are provided. At 7.30 P.M. a scientific lecture is provided followed by demonstrations or the showing of a scientific movie. Among the speakers featured in recent years was Dr. B. S. Hopkins of the University of Illinois who spoke on "The Discovery of Illinium." One of the most interesting movies was "Beyond the Microscope," furnished by the General Electric Company of Chicago, Illinois. Following this part of the program, the laboratories are opened to all visitors, where the general exhibits are explained by the students in charge of each project. At our last open house the departments of biology, home economics, geology, and physics also prepared similar displays which added much to the general value of the entire program. The following list of a few of the typical projects is included, not that i t is all-inclusive, but rather suggestive of the many similar possibilities that any able instructor might use. Coal Tar Products.-A general display based on the charts furnished by The Barrett Co., 17 Battery Place, New York City. Smokeless Powder and Related Products.-A general display and demonstration of some milder explosives. Various companies contributed material. Bakelite.-Profusely illustrated with material furnished by the Bakelite Corporation, 635 W. 22nd St., Chicago, Ill. The students prepared related products which were also displayed. Petroleum Products.-A display based on charts furnished by the Standard Oil Company, Chicago, Ill. (Fig. 2.)
Baking Powder.-A display of various types and methods of testing. Much valuable material was furnished by several well-known companies. Storage Batteries.-A demonstration of the construction, care, charg-
ing and use of lead storage batteries. The Electric Storage Battery Co., Philadelphia, Pa., supplied valuable material. Water Softening.-A demonstration based on the Permutit system.
The Permutit Company, New York City, was most generous in providing necessary equipment. Themit.-One of the most spectacular demonstrations of all. The
Metal and Thermit Corporation, 120 Broadway, New York City, supplied valuable suggestions and materials. Soap.-Its manufacture, kinds and uses. The Proctor and Gamble Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, supplied a generous display of samples. (Pig. 3.) Milk Analysis.-A demonstration of the Babcock and other practical tests. Coal Gas Plant.-A complete plant in miniature, constructed of laboratory apparatus. Portland Cement.-A miniature plant in operation, illustrated with
valuable material supplied by the State Cement Plant, Rapid City, S. Dak. F i e Extinguishers.-A demonstration and display of four types of extinguishers. The Foamite-Childs Corporation, Turner Street, Utica, N. Y., supplied valuable materials. Extreme Temperatures.-A demonstration with Thermit and solid carbon dioxide with their possible uses.
European Caves Yield Fertilizer. Phosphate deposits in mountain caves, the product of Long centuries of habitation by swallows, bats, and other animals, have been opened to exploitation to feed the hunger of Europe's post-war grain fields. Three notable caves have lately been explored, according to Franz Kirnbauer, an engineer resident in Rumania. These are the Dragon's Cave and the Czoklovina Cave in Austria, and Minema Cave in France. The first two have already yielded 25,000 tons of phosphatic earth. The latter, estimated to contain 120,000 tons, has not yet been exploited.-Science Service
