St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1909-04-21
Nature Study in a Museum.
Interesting Article by Miss Griffin in
Nature Study Review.

Although nearly everyone III st. johns
bury realizes the great value to the tow
of such a collection of rare exhibits as i
contained in the Fairbanks Museum it il
doubtful if everyone does realize tn,
amount of educational work which i:
being done by that institution. An article
which Miss Griffin prepared for the Ma
ture Study Review and which came out
in the February number told a great deal
about the work in nature study which
terested. For that reason, the GALE
DOMAIN is glad, with Miss Grifin's per-
mission, to print the article.
What is it?" The demand was alb
rupt, the outstretched hands were very
grimy, but the faces were filled with
eagerness. A haltdozen small boys
stood in the directors office and proudly
presented their prize-a large caterpillar.
Small heed they paid to committee of
ladies, just out from their session in the
classroom, or to the distinguished visitor
who paused by the door to view the
proceedings. The boys were entirely at
home, they knew that the Museum and
its contents belonged to them, and
while committees might use it, or visit
ors wander over it, they, the children,
were the true owners for whose enjoy
ment it was built, and for whose benefit
it was administered.
The reason for their confidence is not
far to seek-it is found in the spirit of the
man who built and endowed the Museum.
Col. Franklin Fairbanks was a lad of Il
years when he first began his collection
of natural history objects. He was a
man of 60, when, that collection having
grown to remarkable dimensions, he
erected the Fairbanks Museum of
Natural Science. At the laying of the
cornerstone, he said to the young people:
This building is to be erected for you.
want you to understand that from this
time on it is to be yours, and that you
are to carefully guard its interests; and |
want each one of you to say to himself,
This is my building, and | have an in.
terest in it. ," The spirit which Col.
Fairbanks showed in these words still
abides in the Museum, and is manifest in
the various phases of educational work
which are carried on by the institution,
and which it is the object of this paper
simply and briefly to relate.
One week of each school month, the
large attractive classroom of the build
ing is the center of activity. Glasses
come from the public schools of the
town-all grades from the third through
the ninth-with their teachers, and re-
ceive lessons given by the director of the
Museum. Lessons these are, not
lectures. The pupils have as active a
part as they would in any school exer-
else, asking and answering questions,
and thinking out the problem which
flower or bird may suggest. These
lessons are part of a general plan of ma
ture study, arranged by the director,
and carried out in the schools. The
Museum lesson furnishes the keynote OF
the months study, which is arranged
with a view to the agricultural and
industrial life of the community.
AS far as possible the pupils bring the
for their study, and these are
by Museum specimens.
For instance, the subject of a lesson may
be the Christmas Fern. Each pupil has
a frond secured by himself, while about
the walls of the room hang dozen or
more specimens from the herbarium, and |
the variations in these cause much in |
+erest, as they are noticed by the pupils
after their own specimens have been
studied. Also, the Polypody (rare in
this locality is shown by way of COM
parison, and last exhibits the Museum
ernerv where both ferns are growing
uxuriantly. Perhaps the best result
Of such lesson is the interest which the
boys and girls take in the growing
plants, for they come into the Museum
frequently to visit the fernery and see
low the plants are thriving. Also, they
start ferneries in their own homes, col.
Getting the plants and coming to the
1rector to compare notes, ask the cause
Of failure, or report success.
A class may be studying crickets and
,rasshoppers, and nearly every member
1as his specimens These have been kept
n glass jars, on the pupils desks, for
some time before they figure in the
lessons. Children supply the
Insects with food, trying experiments to
zee whether they prefer grass, clover
caves, apple, sugar or grain. AS good
living conditions as possible are given
he insects,-grassy clumps of earth,
tones and pieces of wood being placed
n the jars.
The specimens are brought to the
duseum. and the first part of the hour
S occupied with hearing the pupils OBJ
ervations. After the lesson the insects
IRE kept for day or two, and then re-
eased. Often the children are so interest
ID that they secure other specimens and
watch them at home. In this, as in all
animal study, habits and life are the
points emphasized.
Since Vermont is state with much
wealth, some of the winter is
naturally devoted to the study of gran
te, pyrite, tale, the ores of several
Metals which are found in the state,
gypsum, marble and other calcites. The
Students secure many specimens, and
small collections are owned BY the
schools OF the town, but in addition to
hese, the Museum collection is freely
sed,-the classes often going to the
open cases. Experiments follow these
essons, mortar, plaster and casts being
made after the mineral study is conclud-
ID.
Among the subjects of other lessons
.hus given at the Museum may be men,
Toned: Seed Distribution" DRY and
7leshy Fruits, ""Gol1enrods and Asters,"
Preparation of Trees for Winter" "De-
enslye Organs of Plants" Frogs and
loads, " Tree Buds" and termination
If Seeds"
l.,