[No. 1. THE VALUE OF RESEARCH WORK IN EDUCATION-Samuel J. Saunders METHOD IN SCIENCE TEACHING-Louis Murbach BIOLOGY IN AMERICAN COLLEGES ITS METHODS AND OBJECTS-Franklin (Continued on page a of cover.) SCHOOL SCIENCE, Room 1318-138 Washington St., CHICAGO. Price 82.00 Per Year. 250. Per Copy. Entered at the Post Office in Chicago, Ill., as Second-Class Matter. CONTENTS CONTINUED. DETAILS OF AN EXPERIMENT IN COMPOSITION OF FORCES-W. C. Hawthorne. ELEMENTARY EXPERIMENTS IN OBSERVATIONAL ASTRONOMY-George REPORTS OF MEETINGS-New York Association of Biology Teachers; Physics, and Chemistry at the New York State Science Teachers' Association; Eastern Association of Physics Teachers; New York Physics Club; Association of the Science Teachers of Chemical Analysis. A Laboratory Guide to the study of Qualitative Analysis. By E. H. S. Bailey, Ph. D Introduction to Chemical Analysis. A Handbook for Students. By Elbert W. Rockwood, B. S., M. I A complete catalogue, containing titles and prices of all scientific P. Blakiston's Son & Co., Publishers. BY SAMUEL J. SAUNDERS. Professor of Physics, Hamilton College, Clinton, N. Y. We often hear the opinion expressed that the modern methods of education do not produce as good results as the old-fashioned ones. Is this true, or is it but the croak of the pessimist? Be that as it may, the questions and discussions at such gatherings as this make it,evident that our modern methods are not yet entirely satisfactory. Is the fault in the choice of subjects, or is it in the teachers and their training? What do we mean by good results? What do we ask our teachers to do for us, and for our rising generation? These questions seem to bring us to a consideration of the best methods of education. The test of every educational system is the product which it forms. It should produce men who think and decide for themselves, men of action, who make their mark in the world, who succeed in whatever they undertake, whether the problem be scientific or social. It should make of the average man an intelligent, clear-thinking, truth-loving and cultured citizen. The object of education is to expand and train the mental faculties, to teach people how to think for themselves, and that discipline is the most valuable which makes us the most self-reliant, and enables us to make the best use of our reason and judgment with respect to all matters pertaining to our own welfare and that of the community. In that delightful book, "Helen's Babies," the author strikes. a chord which finds a response in every human breast, when he *Abstract of an address delivered before the New York State Science Teachers' Association at Syracuse, Dec. 27, 1901. |