The Petal paper. [volume] (Petal, Miss.) 1953-19??, 1959-09-17
Nature

is at its best for observation. The
ever changing mrust of the earth
with its complex composition and
varied forces interacting, present
perpetual challenge to tn e
young as well as the adult OBJ
server. The two kingdoms Of liv-
ing things, plants and animals,
are at the height Of their activi-
ties in their annual cycle. Phys
ical and chemical phenomena are
IN natural processes on every
hand. And finally, mans uses of
scientific principles in his attempt
to improve his own lot on the
earth can be seen in action in
great variety.
Challenges
Children are naturally inquisi-
tive about their surroundings.
When they first opened their eyes
after making entry into tn e
world, they had no store of
knowledge. They were endowed
with few instincts, but had great
capacity to learn. With this abil-
lty to build up a great storehouse
of useful knowledge. There are
certain drives which cause nor
NAL children to seek answers to
the problems Of interpreting the
world of natural objects and
forces. Without these drives, the
word why could be dropped
from the child's vocabulary.
The child depends on his elders
for enough knowledge and wis
dom to take care of his early
needs. But nature has provided
each child with facilities for ac-
quiring a store of useful knowl-
edge that will carry him through
his later life. The adequacy of
each persons store of knowledge
and his ability to acquire other
needed knowledge depend large
ly on the opportunities he is CIV
en- during childhood and adde's
cence.
The elders of every child who
have to bear the direct RESPONSE
bility for the opportunities a
child has for acquiring knowl-
edge, skills, attitudes and feelings
toward the natural world around
him are first, his parents, and
second, his teachers.
School should be provided with
skilled teachers who know ele-
mentary science and are not
afraid to teach it, A reasonable
amount of simple equipment and
space for its use should be avail
able. Library books covering ev-
cry level of learning and every
subject in which children are in
terested should be easily Access
sible. With these conditions pres
ent, much learning and inspira-
ton will occur in school.
Learning AT Home
During the summer time much
more learning can take place.
While the teacher is not present,
there should be adequate simple
equipment provided at home, at
camp, or at other centers for stu
dents who want to continue in
vestigation and the acquisition Of
knowledge to do so.
Observation of natural phenom-
ena should be encouraged because
of its abundance and ease of per-
forming. Adequate notes of ev-
cry investigation should be en-
couraged. The process of note
taking is a characteristic of many
eminent scientists. Accurate OBJ
servations are the first requisites
of scientific work and investiga-
ton.
Reading can be done in sum-
mer time to satisfy the child's
hunger for knowledge. Books Of
the very finest type are available
on every known subject in which
children are interested. If they
are not in the local libraries to
stock up on the excellent books
for young people that are now in
print.
The pursuit of scientific knowl-
edge can be carried on uninter-