Milford chronicle., 1961-03-31
Harrington
School News

Science and mathematics instruc-
tion in the present day high school
was critically reviewed following
Russia's successful placing of Sput-
mix | in orbit. These two fields
are most carefully watched and
evaluated by educators throughout
the country.
The science program that gave
but little laboratory work and con-
sisted mostly of classroom theory
is now a thing of the past. Today
our boys and girls in high school
are expected to be as familiar with
laboratory procedure in all science
courses as they are with the use
of hammer in an industrial arts
course.
The facilities of Harrington High
are woefully weak. Our chemistry
laboratory table can accommodate
seven students. This one table was
probably sufficient in 1929 when
the building was first built Today,
however, there are % students in
chemistry. This means that the
laboratory work that can be car
ried on by each student must be
drastically reduced because there
is just no space for them to do the
work. Because of the lack of space,
chemistry and physics alternate
yearly although each course should
be offered every year.
Physics will be given in the 1861
62 school year. The enrolment of
the class is expected to be 80 boys
and girls. Laboratory facilities are
available for eight. Thus again in
this important science field our
students are going to be deprived
of first-class instruction because
there is no space.
In biological science ii is well
known that experiments in both
plant and animal life are essential
to thorough understanding OF the
work. The Harrington biological
laboratory consists entirely of desk
chairs. 1t is impossible to adequa-
tely carry on the work necessary
on a desk chair with the top of
approximately Is" "a.
The geneal science courses which
OAlCiGu W llG fIAe oLus anu
9th grades are actually an intro
duction of the three later speciali-
zed courses ef biology. cheTistry
and physics. For thorough under
standing OF this field. some basic
experiments are essential Our
facilities. at this time, are limited
to a movable demonstration desk
at which the instructor can per-
form an experiment while the class
watches. This in no way compen-
safes for the experience gained and
the understanding developed when
a student works the experiment
himself.
Under present day standards in
dustrial arts. vocational agricul-
ture. and nome economics are
basic part of our educational pro-
gram. Home economics and indus
trial art courses are part of a
students work in grades 7-12. while
agriculture is usually limited to
grades 9-12. Since these courses
play so important a part of the
child's school life. certain stan
dards should be met to insure
proper training is available in these
fields.
In industrial arts. practice has
shown that definite space allot-
ments for students and machines
must be made. In home economics
arrangements. facilities should be
such that a continuing up-to-date
program can he presented. In vo
cational agriculture. in addition TO
work in agriculture theory. prac-
tical work is necessary in a farm
shop program.
At present the Harrington School
has very sub-standard facilities to
carry on instruction in these fields
In industrial art there is adequate
space for but four students each
period IL all the machinery. rec
commended for a first-class indus
trial arts program was to be made
available. there would not be room
for any students to work with II.
Since our classes in this field aver
age Is students. the program that
can be offered is very limited i'm
scope.
In home economies. while the
equipment is up to standard. the
size of the space available limits