APPENDIX E CXXV 



The series of articles on Nature Study, edited by Dr. James 

 Fletcher, has been continued, and 1,000 copies of each article have 

 been printed and distributed among teachers throughout Canada. The 

 papers ha.ve been contributed by Inspector Cowley; J. B. Wallis, Super- 

 visor of Nature Stud}', Winnipeg; Eev. G. Eifrig; "W. T. Macoun (two 

 papers) ; Arthur Gibson; F. T. Shutt, M.A. ; Dr. MacKay, Superintend- 

 ent of Education for Nova Scotia, and A. E. Attwood, M.A. 



Tlic Educational Factor. 



The aims, materials and modus operandi of the O.F.N.C. are no 

 doubt familiar to the members of your Society, and I shall therefore 

 not take up your valuable time by further discussion of them, but shall 

 avail myself of this opportunity to make a brief reference to a phase 

 of the club's work which is comparatively unique in its character and 

 recent in its introduction, and shall endeavour to point out the reasons 

 why an organization composed mainly of natural history experts, and 

 primarily organized for purposes of field research work, should have 

 eome to devote so much time and energy to the subject of education. 



The fundamental reason for this departure is found in the fact 

 tha'^ during the past 50 years, in education as in almost every other 

 department of human activity, nature investigation has steadily and 

 rapidly increased in extent and influence. One of the natural results 

 of this phenomenal advance has been a public demand for a due re- 

 cognition of natural science at every stage of the educational process, 

 and the outcome of this has been the placing of the recently much ex- 

 ploited subject of nature study upon the curriculum of Ontario 

 elementary schools. This departure has opened up a new field of use- 

 fulness for the club, as we have in our midst many Normal School and 

 Kindergarten students and others who as teachers are required to deal 

 with this subject, and require a special practical type of preliminary 

 training. 



Now, a glance at the modern conception of natural science, the 

 character of nature material to be presented, and the stage of develop- 

 ment reached by the children will, I think, reveal the fact that to assist 

 in the acquirement of such practical training is a worthy and appro- 

 priate object for the effort of the club. 



The reason for the unparalleled advance of natural science, already 

 referred to, lies in the fact that the meaning, content and method of 

 ecientific investigation during the past 50 years have undergone a com- 

 plete metamorphosis. 



