PHYSICS IN GENERAL EDUCATION. 2J 



ence of the class-room with the critical knowledge of the scholar. 

 We may import them from Europe, it is true, as we must also our 

 more advanced text-books, but, although in the main vastly superior 

 to our own, they are still not entirely suited to the wants of American 

 schools and American pupils. These books, in the hands of teachers 

 who know little or nothing outside of the books they use, and often 

 falling far short of that, serve to put the instruction in elementary 

 physics in this country in a condition over which no one can grow very 

 enthusiastic ; and this, in spite of the prominent place which has been 

 given it and the considerable attention it has received. Unsound doc- 

 trines and absurd theories are promulgated because of an inability to 

 distinguish the ring of genuine metal. These become so deeply rooted 

 that it is difficult and often impossible in after-years to clear them 

 away. 



I believe it to be possible for this Association to exert a strong in- 

 fluence in favor of an improvement in the character of the instruction 

 in physics in both elementary and higher institutions of learning in 

 America. Much of it at present does us no credit, and must eventu- 

 ally do us much harm. At a meeting of this Association in Nashville, 

 five years ago, a committee was appointed to report upon science-teach- 

 ing in the public schools. At the Boston meeting, two years ago, this 

 committee presented a report which embodied much thought upon the 

 subject, and was replete with just and keen criticisms of present sys- 

 tems. It is greatly to be regretted that this report can not have found 

 its way into the hands of those whom it would most benefit. A wide 

 distribution ought to have been secured, and I am convinced that it is 

 not yet too late to remedy this error.* 



The same gentlemen were continued as a committee to report upon 

 the " Best Method of Science-Teaching in Public Schools," and it is to 

 be hoped that a scheme may be presented at no distant day. I will 

 venture the opinion, however, that the best results will not be obtained 

 until this, or a similar, committee shall work in co-operation with 

 representatives of the public schools themselves, and I would suggest 

 the feasibility of securing such co-operation through the National 

 Educational Association. 



j* No such difficulty is in the way of securing an improvement in 

 the teaching of physics in colleges and universities, for those most 

 interested are, in the main, a part of this Association and of this 

 section. 



I will not venture to suggest in what manner the Association might 

 best make itself felt in this matter, although I think that would not 

 be difficult to ascertain. I have only endeavored to direct attention 

 to some of the salient features of the problem, and to ask its consid- 

 eration at the hands of many members of the section who come in 

 almost daily contact with it, and who will,. I am convinced, sustain 



* This report will appear in the next issue of "The Popular Science Monthly.." 



