The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-29
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.

Industrial Education In Our Public Schools.
To the Editor Of the Indianapolis JournaE
certain misrepresentation exists as to what is
meant by industrial education or manual train
ing in connection with our public schools. May
ask the consideration of your readers as to just
what it is proposed to do. Industrial education
does not mean education in special trades. 1t
is not proposed to teach any branch Of industry,
either carpentry, machinery or civil engineering.
These schools exist in Germany and Belgium,
aad are known as trade schools" Such an
idea is foreign to our American ideas We have
no right. says Prof Adler. to prescribe the flu
ture of child. Industrial education is now
carried on at the Rose Polytechnic. Worcester
Free Institute, Stevens Institute, Hoboken,
Boston Psychological. the ST. Loo Manual
Training School, Chicago Manual Training
School, and is added to the public school sys-
tenn in Philadelphia, Baltimore and Boston.
The method is thus neither unknown nor untried
1t is advocated by the best men, by Francis A.
Walker, of the Boston chronological, by Edward
Atkinson. What Is its idea2 1t is an extension
of the method of education by means of things
rather than by books. 1t is the scientific meth
DDS of Agassiz applied to the tools and materials
of life. Why should we study chemistry. or
geology, or botany2 We do not intend to edu-
cate children to be scientific specialists. But
quainted with this wonderful and beautiful
earth. We think, too, that the mental discipline
which the sciences give US valuable. We think
that the faculties are developed through careful
and accurate observation, comparison, weighing,
etc.. as in no other way.
In manual training the student is put in con-
tact with things which are valuable In life, and
faculties are developed which are valuable in the
work of life. Working in wood and iron one
learns the nature Of these things. There comes
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measuring them. AL this is but stepping
stone to something else 1t is thinking 1t is
bringing the thought to bear on practical things
In it are employed the science of mathematics
Metallurgy, chemistry, geometry and algebra,
trigonometry are in daily use. Every perceptive
power is called into play. A course Of Industrial
education is a most severe study. in arithmetic,
algebra geometry, trigonometry, physics, chem
istry, mechanics, drawing-all that is known as
the English course, together with two hours
learned is put into practice or is made
the basis of the next days study.
Such a method is natural. 1t is in harmony
with the boys own natural education. 1t is
the education we all have had, which is worth
anything to us-through immediate contact with
things. Is it expensive2 1t will not cost for the
first year $500. The tools and equipment are
on hand The salary of an experienced in
structor and a small amount for material is all
The rooms are there empty. 1t is the thought,
WV
such an education he may wish or need
Why not fit one to enter Rose, or Worcester, as
we'll as to enter Harvard.
The purpose is to establish a three years
course, which shall be elective, as is the COM
mercial or classical but which in all its detailed
studies shall be required.
We do not wish to teach trades, nor to fill the
ranks of labor, but to put such boys as prefer it
into contact with the things of life; to teach
them ssto know hawk from handsaw." This
is the creation needed, the study Of making
and doing the delight Of every boy that can
whittle, and the serious study of every person
who wishes to know nature, life, and himself.
OSCAR G. McCULLocH.