Correspondence STIMULATING JUVENILE INTEREST IN SCIENCE To THE EDITOR: There is one phase in the teaching of chemistry that seems to be neglected exceedingly in spite of its vital importance. I have noted with interest that somebody touched on the subject in an article entitled, "Why Are Students Not More Interested in Chemistry )" in which the author points out the f a d that the subject of chemistry in high schools and institutions of higher learning is generally regarded as a rather dry, difficult, and uninteresting subject and especially so with the gentler sex. Might not the explanation for this be that they have not been gradually led into it but have suddenly been pushed over the precipice into deep water? The average student has a very meager appreciation and knowledge of things scientific when he commences a course. Contrast this to history in which the child has heen steeped in the lore of heroes ever since he was first capable of understanding. Why cannot science and especially chemistry be made a place for adventure, struggle, discovery, and victory in the stories for our youth as well as other things. As H. G. Wells says in his novel: "The World Set Free," in regard to this generation as looked back upon by the future: "It is wonderful how our ancestors bore themselves towardrscience. They hated it, they feared it. They permitted a few scientific men to work and exist. 'Spare our little ways from the fearful shaft of understanding,' they said, 'do tricks for us, give us cheap lighting, cure our cancer, consumption, and colds.' " There is a measure of truth in this statement that cannot be overlooked. Such men as Wells and Slosson are doing an excellent work for the grownups and we need more of them hut most of all we need this type of thing for the child and the adolescent so that when the time arrives, they may come to the class-room with an appreciation and an interest already developed instead of entering upon something that is strange and new and naturally-uninteresting. CITYHIGHSCHOOL, IRON MOWTAW, MICE.
BRUCEH. GUILD
SIGMA ZETA
TOTHS EDITOR: Many readers of the
JOURNAL
OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION, I believe, will
