30 Field Museum of Natural History — Reports, Vol. V. 



four cases of natiiral history and economic subjects were selected 

 and exhibited in the Palace of Education of the Exposition. The space 

 allotted the exhibit, amounting to approximately 1300 square feet, 

 was favorably and prominently located on three well traveled aisles. 

 The exhibition of the cases was supplemented by motion pictures, 

 illustrating the present and future Museum buildings, types of cases on 

 standards, loading cases in delivery car, car leaving Museum, and arriv- 

 ing at school unloading cases, reception of cases in classroom, case on 

 rack in classroom, pupils studying case in classroom and teacher using 

 case as a means of teaching. These views were prefaced with an in- 

 troduction on the cause and scope of the Museum Extension. The ex- 

 hibit and the motion picture theatre were attended daily by large 

 numbers of visitors, whose interests were manifested in many instances, 

 by words of commendation for the work that is being carried on, and 

 praise for the attractive physical features of the cases. Representatives 

 of foreign and American institutions of learning made repeated care- 

 ful and thorough examinations of the exhibit and enquiries as to 

 methods of using the cases in schools. Japan, through its Commissioner 

 General to the Exposition, requested several cases of economic subjects 

 be sent to Tokyo for the purpose of stud3dng them, with a view of intro- 

 ducing similiar cases and the same system in the schools of Japan. 

 Twenty-five thousand illustrated pamphlets describing in brief the 

 Museum Extension, were circulated during the exposition period. Five 

 thousand cards were mailed to educators of the United States and Canada 

 inviting them to inspect the Museum exhibit at the Exposition. 

 Doctor Maria Montessori, internationally known as an educator of 

 children, said of this exhibit in an unsolicited letter. 



"I admire very much the way in which nature is interpreted in this 

 exhibit. The units attract the child's attention and do not teach errors. 



"They truly represent nature. Besides, they have added value of 

 permitting prolonged observation of the many details which in nature 

 could only be seen in passing glimpses and to which it would be hard to 

 attract the child's attention. The knowledge of these facts observed 

 in this way makes the future observation of real nature more interesting 

 to the child. 



"I consider this collection a most desirable contribution to school 

 work and education generally. I hope that more of these beautifid ex- 

 hibits may be made." 



In a competitive group this exhibit was awarded the grand prize, 

 the highest award possible. 



Many additional cases of various subjects were prepared during 

 the year, bringing the total number of cases available for circula- 



