NATURE-STUDY WORK AT THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY 



By HERBERT OSBORN 

 Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 



In response to the request for information concerning the work 

 done the State University in the line of nature-study, I am 

 pleased to give some details; but perhaps should preface these 

 by the statement that while a small amount of work is included 

 under this particular head there is a large amount of work done in 

 the Departments of Geology, Botany and Zoology which is directly 

 available as training for teachers who are engaged in nature-study 

 teaching. A course in nature-study is offered in the College 

 of Agriculture which includes a general treatment of the subject 

 embracing the different points of view, these being open to 

 election by the various students who may have the teaching of 

 elementarv agriculture or nature-study in view. There is also 

 a department of extension work in which a large amount of time 

 is devoted to institute work and assistance of country teachers 

 in the direction of the best methods of teaching nature-study in 

 the common schools. This work in charge of Professor Graham 

 and a competent assistant who give their entire time to the sub- 

 ject, is supplemented by the publication of the Extension Bul- 

 letin devoted to illustrations and guidance in this direction. 



In the Department of Geology the courses in physiography 

 are offered and embrace much that is of fundamental importance 

 in the matter of laying a foundation for a full understanding of 

 the ecologic relations in the different kinds of animals and plants. 



The Botanical Department offers courses which are of special 

 value to teachers, and provides a summer course at the Uni- 

 versitv especially intended for teachers, and during the winter 

 months provides for a tropical course under the direction of 

 Professor Kellerman. For this course a number of students 

 travel with Professor Kellerman in Central America and have 

 excellent opportunities for the outdoor study of tropical life in 

 native conditions. 



The Department of Zoology provides general courses and a 

 course especially designed for teachers which aims to emphasize 

 particularly the ecologic features of zoology with a view to 

 furnishing the best foundation for thorough nature-study work. 



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