24 THE NA TIJRE-STUD Y RE VIE W [6:1- Jan.. 1910 



III. THE PRESENT CONDITION OF NATURE-STUDY 



(A) Popularly speaking, rather in ill repute; unorganized 

 as tO' principles and course of study 



Causes: 



1. Lack of preparation on the part of teachers; ig- 

 norant of subject matter; spirit of inquiry absent; scant 

 appreciation of scientific method; sometimes dominated 

 by adult or pure science view point; in bondage to books. 



(a) To what extent are the high school courses re- 

 sponsible for this lack of preparation? 



(b) In what measure should secondary science endeavor 

 to remedy the situation? 



(c) Apply questions (a) and (b) to the elementary school 

 curriculum. 



(d) What should be the nature of the science courses in 

 the Normal School? 



(e) What is the function of the College in the prepa- 

 ration of elementary teachers (of Nature-Study and 

 Geography) ? 



(f) Other agencies; e. g., extension courses. 



2. Lack of preparation of supervisory and administra- 

 tive force, which lacks familiarity with materials, methods, 

 aims and values. 



3. Indifference or opposition on the part of patrons and 

 pubHc generally; classical ideals; failure to appreciate the 

 function of science training. 



4. Immensity of the field 



The entire natural environment, including the 

 pupil himself, and much of the artificial 

 environment. 



(B) Present trends 



1. American Nature-Study Society. 



2. Schools of Education and Normal Schools. 



3. Numerous attempts now being made toward better 

 organization of science materials in grades and High 

 Schools. 



4. Industrial education. 



5. Farmers' Institutes. 



6. Elements of agriculture. 



7. General movement toward rural life and rural inter- 

 ests ; out door art. 



8. General science course in first year of High School. 



