TEACHING SCIENCE IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS


tion of more expensive and complicated pieces of apparatus may
add to the interest of both the students and the teachers.
 For an efficient laboratory, one of the first requirements is a
large amount of shelf space. Open shelves add greatly to more
frequent and effective use of the things stored upon them. Shelves
for chemicals and small specimens should be narrow so that
these can be arranged in single rows. This enables students to
locate and replace them easily. Wider shelves should be pro-
vided for larger equipment, and suitable shelves for books should
be conveniently placed. The distance between the shelves should
vary so as to be economical of space and adapted to the materials
to be stored. Some space should be provided in which certain
dangerous chemicals or valuable equipment could be locked.
Cabinets are needed for the storage of much of the physics
apparatus because of the likelihood of damage when not properly
handled. If displayed behind glass doors, the equipment will
awaken advance interest.
 If room is limited, chemistry and physics classes may use the
same tables. They should be about thirty-six inches high to
allow students to work while standing. In biology and general
science classes the work can be done at tables of regular height
at which students may be comfortably seated. The size of the
tables should be governed by the amount of space available. A
long eighteen inch shelf placed along one side of the room under
the windows will provide a place for work requiring natural
light. This shelf may be hinged and lowered out of the way
when not in use, if it is desired. It is advisable that the shelves
and tables be treated to make them insect and chemical proof.
 If the school is supplied with running water, there should be
 outlets on the tables for experiments. If this is not possible at
 the time, one outlet and a sink, conveniently placed, will serve.
 Where running water is not available, an ingenious teacher may
 install an elevated barrel with a pipe and faucet, and a drain
 bucket for waste water. If an acid-proof sink is not possible,
 an earthen jar will serve.
 Some source of heat is necessary for many experiments. Gas,
 either city or bottled, is the most suitable. If it is not available,
 the alcohol lamp will furnish enough heat for nearly all of the