PREFACE 



EDUCATION for the present life of the child should be the 

 chief purpose of our schools. This book seeks to carry out 

 this principle so far as science is concerned. We are living 

 in the midst of a great scientific age. Applications of science 

 more and more dominate our life, and they will continue 

 to do so in ever-increasing degree. Any sane system of 

 education must see to it that boys and girls living in the 

 midst of these applications, which form such an important 

 part of their everyday life, are educated in terms of this 

 environment, in order that they may better appreciate it 

 and adapt themselves to it. This book is an attempt to 

 make clear to boys and girls answers to some of the ques- 

 tions naturally arising in their minds concerning the com- 

 mon applications of science. 



The book is not written as an introduction to, or prepara- 

 tion for, any later science work. It is written to meet the 

 present needs and interests of boys and girls just entering the 

 adolescent period. We do not know the future of the child, 

 but we do know his present. The satisfaction of these 

 present needs is the best possible and the only sound founda- 

 tion for any further work in science that he may do in later 

 years. 



If a course in General Science is to be worthy of an es- 

 tablished place in the school curriculum, it must fulfill 

 two requirements : first and foremost, it must appeal to the 

 pupils ; and second, it must be well organized around centers 

 of children's interests. 



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