A High-School Course in Applied Chemistry

Abstract

The recent recognition that the high schools are not to be regarded primarily as preparatory institutions for the universities and colleges of the state has resulted in a general awakening among principals and superintendents with reference to highschool courses of study in Wisconsin. There is current a strong feeling that a larger part of the high-school curricula should be a direct preparation for the future life-work of the pupils. This feeling manifested itself recently at a meeting of The Superintendents' and Supervising Principals' Association, when resolutions were passed asking the higher educational institutions of the state to be more liberal in their entrance requirements, especially with reference to commercial and industrial work. A further phase of this same movement is the desire to make subjects that are already in the curricula yield a larger measure of practical value. This feeling is particularly strong with reference to the sciences, and especially in the case of physics. In this branch it has been greatly augmented by the campaign which Mr. H. L. Terry, inspector of high schools, is conducting against the present teaching of physics in secondary schools.' The writer purposes in this series of articles to describe the work of the Menomonie High School in the effort to make its science work more practical. The articles will describe the courses in chemistry, physics, and botany, as they are conducted at the present time. These courses are not to be regarded as final, nor are they suggested as a scheme to be adopted bodily by another school. Chemistry in the Menomonie High School is an optional subject in all courses except the industrial course, where it is required. It may be elected during either the junior or the