Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-11-06
Youthful Prodigy Cred1ts
Project System for HIS
Unusual MentaI POzverJ

The writer, twelve-year-old prodigy, who
has just entered Columbia university equip
ped with a knowledge of twelve languages
and with better fund of general informa-
was asked to tell in his own way how he
acquired his unusual education. His par
ents, by the way, said today they consid-
cred him only normal, while most other
educational system. The following was not
edited, even as to punctuation:
BY EDWARD ROCHE HARDY, JR.
NEW YORK.-What I have done
is caused entirely by two things. The
kindergarten until the present day
have had the good fortune of being
in contact with remarkably good
teachers. Already while in kinder
garten,, the Project method was i'm
pressed upon me; For instance. we
and that afternoon found me in front
of tn bears den in the geological
park. If we We're studying birds,
Esduimos or Indians. l was down
ing all these years of elementary
work. | spent two days a week at
the Metropolitan museum of art.
At six I was admitted as a regu-
lar student in the roof school of
Horace Mann. For several years 1
worked among the clouds. Some
times the temperature was six. de.
working out floors I attribute the
ability to complete several grades
in one year.
Visits Many Plants
When the teacher called for auto
mobile clippings, went to Detroit.
and Ford's factory was open to me.
When we were studying the stock
@ nY0f 20 ", u
sixth grade I was made desperate.
We were to make a b. It that year
had visions of failure. But I could
learn how it was done. / went to
Pittsburg and saw the Duquesne
steel plant.
When we studied the beginning Of
tn Revolution, l took charge of the
troops with Washington under the Elm
in Cambridge, visiting Longfellow's
house at the same time. l joined the
minute men at Lexington and Con-
cord: I saw the belfry tower where
saw Bunker Hill where battle
was fought on the anniversary of
my birth. OF course 1 had previous
ly stood on Plymouth Rock.
Three separate times I went into
Virginia, visiting Jamestown. I be-
lieve 1 am the only American who
ever visited Yorktown. When we
ito Richmond and was shown how it
sleld strong position On it's plateau
saw tie place where the Monitor
and the Merrimac had their engage.
me t. Finally, there came that great
visit to Gettysburg which l shall
always remember.
Practical Civics
Civics! l went three times to
Washington, saw both houses of
congress in session, and shook hands
with President Wilson when he was
not .oeaking to other people. I went
Il. our state Legislature just in time
Ito see both senators and assembly
men rushing for the quarter of five
train. 1 visited the board of esti-
mate and apportionment, the board
!of aldermen. and even helped to in
stall Mayor Hylan.
During my high school course,
whic occupied the full four years.
there wasn't time for so many
labout the Panama canal at school.
went UP to Troy and saw a sh y
| go through the locks which are only
four feet lower than those at Pana-
N l. But the greatest trip of all was
my journey to Denver in 1913 to see
the great eclipse. Oh. how good it
was even to stand on the observa-
tory grounds, and what feelings
came over me when the sun was
blOtted out.
The two great factors helping me
in doing what little l have done
were the Horace Mann school and
the applying of the Project method
which [ learned there.