Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1912-11-11

and a locker. The desks are also pro-
vided with gas fixtures. At present
denatured alcohol is used as a source
Of heat for experimental work. The
chemicals and glassware are kept in
a spacious oak case, specially made
for the purpose. One of the most nee
essary items in a chemical laboratory
is a hood" which is used when pois-
onous and offensive gases are to be
generated. 1t cons SITS Of a wooden
base and frame and is provided with
windows on all sides. A special VEN
tilating fue, operated by a motor in
the attic, conducts the gases from the
hood, thus keeping poisonous and vile
smelling gases from entering the lab
oratory and other rooms.
Opening from the chemical labora-
tory by double doors, is the lecture
room; which is provided with raised
seats So placed that the light comes
from behind the students. Provision
has been made in regard to pllr:nbing
so that a demonstration table can be
installed at any time. The lecture
room is separated from the oh emical
laboratory on the south and tho phys
ical laboratory on the north by low,
handsome glass partitions.
The Physical Laboratory.
The physical laboratory is spacious
and we'll lighted. In it are three acid
proof tables, provided with stan dards
and double crossbeams. 1t is essen
tial to successful laboratory work in
Physics that experiments he perform
ed on tables that are level and stable.
The massive tables in the physical
laboratory admirably fulfill these re-
quirements. The tables are provided
with numerous drawers, so that each
student a keep his notebooks, etc.,
under lock and key.
The Apparatus Room.
Adjoining the physical laboratory is
an apparatus room, in which are two
cases, one for physical apparatus ana
the other for biological supplies. This
room is also provided with a wet sink.
cold and hot water The sclloo' is
fortunate in having a good s.,reop-
ticon, the gift of the Class Of 1912. aad
a wireless telegraph outfit, purchased
with the net receipts from the lecture
given by Mr.. Patty, under the auspices
Of the Science students.
The Aim Of This Course.
The general aim in the Science
courses is to awaken in the student
a new and Cnore int elligen. interest
in the things about him; to develop
in him the spirit OF investigation into
to causes of those physical phenom.-
ena which enter into. his everyday ex-
perience; i'm short, to- think and TO
think to some purpose. The practical
applications of Science to everyday
life Is emphasized as much as the
brief time and the technicalities of
a dry text book will allow. In Phys
les, for instance, a few OF the many
applications to everyday life which
are brought to the attention tM the
students are, the principle and work.
ing OF the cream separator, OF the
Babcock milk tester; the explanation
of why pumps work; the principle
underlying hot air, hot water and
steam heating, plants; the principle
Of dynamos, motors, etc. A boy or
girl who understands the workings OF
a door bell and who knows somts OF
,the idiosyncracies of dry and wet
cells, are more likely to know how to
fix a door bell which refuses to do hts
duty, than would a boy or girl to
whose attention this matter had not
been brought.
Practical Applications. !
A few Of the practical applications
of chemistry taken up in laboratory
work are: Soap making; a study Of
the constituents of flour and OF
milk; the constituents of baking pow
der and the purpose Of each; how to
detect %adulterants In baking powder.
At the beginning of the year . brief
course in chemistry was given to the
girls who selected cooking.
Agriculture has been offered dur.
ing the last two years, hut this year
it was totally eclipsed by the three
new departments added to the high
school. The science department Is
grateful to Mr.. Gilbreath for the large
collection of grains which was do
mated last fall; to Mr.. Will, Jr., Tor