A Study Guide In General Science And Biology For The Smithsonian Scientific Series (Paperback, Illustrated Ed)

A Study Guide IN GENERAL SCIENCE AND BIOLOGY FOR THE SMITHSONIAN SCIENTIFIC SERIES PREPARED BY MORRIS ME1STER, Ph. D. SCIENCE SUPERVISOR, NEW YORK CITY SCHOOLS LOUIS E1SMAN, B. S. TEACHER OF BIOLOGY, JAMES MADISON HIGH SCHOOL ALEXANDER JOSEPH, M. S. TEACHER OF GENERAL SCIENCE, HAAREN HIGH SCHOOL FOREWORD The Smithsonian Scientific Series This series of twelve, beautifully printed and illus trated volumes is a unique and successful effort to bring to the layman the simple story of mans progress in the sciences. The story is told by specialists who can speak with authority. Their work is recognized by the whole world, as is also the institution by whom they are sponsored. Because the audience to which the different authors have addressed themselves is meant to be the average intel ligent citizen, the books are admirably suited for boys and girls in secondary schools. Teachers of science have long been searching for adequate supplementary reading for their pupils. There is a great need for material that is vivid enough to hold the attention of adolescents, scientifically accurate so as to command their respect, and sufficiently non-technical to be within their level of comprehension. All of this the Series achieves, in a framework which coincides with the modern courses of study in General Science and Biology. In the words of Dr. Charles Greeley Abbot, world renowned scientist and Editor of the Series, These volumes do not represent an attempt to summarize all science, or even all branches of science on which the Smithsonian can speak with authority. They will, however, acquaint the reader with the organization, history, and activities of the scientific institution which has grown up withthe nation and fostered the nations scientific activities they will introduce him to the workings and achievements of the scientific method over a large field, and open doors to some branches of science to which he will not find the key elsewhere. Thus, the Series is quite different from a textbook or an encyclopedia of information. Too often, in school work, we are disappointed at pupil reactions to the text or to the reference volume. They will not read it yet they devour the Sunday Science Supplement and the extravagantly writ ten science magazines. In the Smithsonian Scientific Series, the teacher of science will find a center of pupil interest. The books will be read because they have human appeal. Since they do not attempt to cover all science topics with uniform completeness, they are better adapted to the needs of different science classes and different pupils. Ideas Underlying the Study Outline First, the material of the twelve volumes was carefully scrutinized for the contributions it may make to the science education of boys and girls in grades seven to ten, inclusive. For these age groups, the school curriculum includes a course in General Science, followed by another in General Biology. Courses of study in these subjects differ somewhat from each other in different localities but the trend every where has been toward an integrated and articulated se quence of science studies through the grades. This sequence aims to develop an ever-growing understanding of the science environment in terms of the important generaliza tions or u big ideas of science. Secondly, a Study Outline was developed to include the important ideas and generalizations usually found in courses in GeneralScience and Biology. For the sake of convenience in use by the teacher and pupil, the two courses have been treated as one. The Units of the Outline are progressively graded in the matter of difficulty and are presented in a teaching sequence which is well-adapted to a variety of con ditions. The materials of the twelve volumes are organized around the Outline as a framework. Thirdly, the Outline is replete with suggestions for teaching procedures based upon modern educational prac tice...