Evening star., 1942-03-01

| CUulQ 1lOI 11C1P WV VAotoAAcC eAiS PAo
when it is really geared to the tempo
of Washington school children. and
when its exhibition rooms will be
filled with eager, interested young
sterS.
This Children's Museum Is the
realization Of dream begun several
years ago, by public spirited women
of Washington, who knew OF the
value Of the Boston Childrens Mu-
scum, the second of its kind in the
world to be founded, and which has
been in existence since World War /.
However, it has been only since last
year that enough impetus was given
to the project here to insure It's es-
tablishment and when the villa
Rosa was made available for this
purpose BY the District Of Columbia
commissioners, its sponsors felt that
there should be no further delay.
Miss Matilda Young, executive sec
retary of the organization, mas been
busy the better part Of q year organ
izinr and perfecting the business ar
rangennents, and more AtSerly, SUI
per1sing the installation Of exhibits.
Miss Young has stated many times
that it Is not a question of where
shall we get exhibits" but what
offerings may we accept" for 1t has
been the history of such ventures
that public minded people have al
vays offered far more exhibition
material than possibly could be ac-
commodated.
For the benefit Of readers unfa-
miliar wit9s the purposes and fune-
tions of a Children's Museum. per-
haps it might be well to explain
what they are.
First, the museum Is exactly what
It's nan1a implies: . museum Tor
children. By that Is meanl . rnu'
scum wherein exhfoits are scaled to
the interests Of children Of all ages;
the exhibit cases are placed. low
enough for children TO use com.
fortaSly; much Of the material Is
available for loan" to the children,
either as irdiviccals or ~ organized
groups. ,
For instance, II q class in general
science should decide TO study the
habits of o. certain bird, the mu-
seum might have a nest made by
that species OF bird, with perhaps
several eggs. These would be loaned
to the class. In q Children's Museum,
the yeung patrons are encouraged
to. handle exhibits, because those
who sponsor such exhibitions be-
lieve that the child learns more
readily when he can take things IN
his hands and examine them until
his curiosity is satisfied.
Undoubtedly the Children's Mu-
scum will prove to be o popular
rendezvous for the youngsters of the
city as well as visiting children, and
1t deserves the support OF every
public minded citizen.
State News.
The General Convention Commit
tee met Tuesday In the State once,
and selected the theme, Keeping
the Home Fires Burning" believing
that 1t would encompass the many
varied activities which channel d.
rectly toward the home. Dates for
the annual convention are May 10
and 20, and the Departmental Audi
torium has been reserved for those
days.
In evaluating the defense pre-
paredness work, which Is being done
by parent-teacher members, the fol-
lowing figures we're brought to light
attesting to teacher participation:
Of the approximately 1000 teachers
employed In division lilo, 1900
have already had standard first
aid courses, and it is expected that
between $50 and TOO will take the
advanced courses; there are 257
auxiliary police volunteers, which
include both men and women, and
in every school building in the city,
there is head fire warden, who Is
one of the teachers, and who has
his own committee. 1t is estimated
that between 425 and $50 teachers
are enrolled in this service.
A school of instruction for local
presidents will be held Thursday at
10 am. in the N. E. A. Building. In
structions will be given for correct
filling out Of local unit reports,
the correct handling Of registration
cards for the State convention and
the method Of registering delegates.
Eliot Junior High.
The association will meet Tuesday
at 8 pm. The program will consist Of
an accordion solo by Annabelle Nc
Mullen. vocal selections by Miss II.