Abstract: Howard Owens of Northwestern High School in Prince Georges County MD briefly discusses the purpose of the National Science Fair Talented students then display and explain their Science Fair projects Don Boyle experiments with the effects of radio waves on seed germination Mary Catherine White reconstructs a functioning battery using Voltas methods Gary Miggs creates a diorama based on the fossils characteristic of the Devonian Period Jean Spencer determines the amount of black widow spider venom required to kill a white mouse Fred Shindler researches the life cycle of the corn borer in an unsuccessful attempt to break that cycle and thus eradicate the pest
Date Published: 1952-09-08
Abstract: Celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Johns Hopkins University this program highlights the scientific research and accomplishments of several Johns Hopkins scientists including William Welch whose work in pathology and bacteriology led to advances in the understanding of hog cholera diphtheria pneumonia and gangrene William Halstead a surgeon who used cocaine as an anaesthetic and was the first to use rubber gloves in surgery William Osler who developed a new method of correlating medical research with clinical studies Also highlighted are work in gynecology by Howard Kelly embryology by Franklin Mill hormones by John Jacob Abel spectroscopy by Henry A Rowland brain surgery by Walter Dandy fluoroscopy by Russell Morgan and high altitude photography by Clyde Holiday The president of Johns Hopkins University Detlev W Bronk delivered an address on the importance of scientific research explaining how curiosity for and exploration of the unknown drives the scientist to discover new facts about our world through observation and experimentation
Date Published: 1951-02-20
Abstract: Dr Dethier explains his research for the perfect insect repellent He discusses and gives examples of the five qualities of a perfect repellent odorless inexpensive nontoxic cosmetically acceptable and effective for extended periods of time Using a diagram of a blowflys anatomy Dr Dethier explains how the flies are used in repellent research Then using a series of actual flies their wings waxed to sticks Dr Dethier puts the feet of the fly successively into sugar water 01 glycol and sugar and 1 glycol and sugar to observe the flys reaction The result is generally the average of a 100fly test Dr Dethier then shows how one can predict the feasibility of some chemical compounds as repellents by their composition He constructs a graph and using aldehydes plots the repellent effect in relation to the size of the compounds molecules
Date Published: 1951-05-29
Abstract: Most pollsters incorrectly predicted the 1948 United States presidential election Political scientists try to determine political trends in the US by tracking the party affiliation of the House of Representatives Local and regional differences can be seen by analyzing election results over the years Most states show trends that mirror overall national results Analysis of these factors can help predict future elections
Date Published: 1952-03-31
Abstract: Telegrams from educators and scholars mark the third anniversary of the Johns Hopkins Science Review Dr Abel Wolman summarizes the history of methods of acquiring pure water and the science of sanitary engineering Chlorine was discovered to be a reliable and practical chemical to use to kill waterborne bacteria Dr Wolman also shows a film of microscopic organisms and silt in water and discusses the decline of typhoid fever Dr Wolman and his colleagues use both animated films and models of a water filtration plant and a sewage treatment plant to explain the water purification processes
Date Published: 1951-03-20
Abstract: Many different species of insects and animals can be found in your own backyard Charles Kolb shows live specimens of these species turtles lady beetles aphids grasshoppers Japanese beetles pill bugs earthworms spiders toads and snakes
Date Published: 1952-07-14
Abstract: Famous ornithologist Roger Tory Peterson discusses bird watching opportunities in North America and presents several examples of birdsongs Many species of birds migrate throughout the year The arctic tern can travel over 10000 miles between its winter and summer homes Birds that are calendar migrants arrive in the same place around the same time each year
Date Published: 1952-06-23
Abstract: Production of sugarcane in Hawaii from planting cultivation harvesting and processing is discussed Crossbreeding sugarcane varieties from throughout the world improve the crop and create hybrids that will be more resistant to disease and insect pests and produce a higher yield of sugar
Date Published: 1952-09-01
Abstract: Mr Dillehunt describes the versatility of woods thickness color pliability and hardness He demonstrates the difference in hardness by driving nails into a piece of balsa wood and a piece of lignum vitae He shows the crosssection of growth rings in a tree and the magnification of wood cells indicating the fiber walls of wood which carry water and which shrink and often crack from lack of moisture A model of the slash cut and the quarter cut shows the differences in lumbering wood Mr Dillehunt exhibits samples of ebony curly maple and birdseye maple used ornamentally He also displays a bowl made from a burl a disease of the tree Mr Poole recommends Wood handbook a guide for woodworkers produced by the US Government Printing Office
Date Published: 1952-08-18
Abstract: Dogs can be taught to modify their behavior to fit well into their owners lives Dogs can be conditioned not to jump on people by body twisting and be taught not to bark by holding their mouths shut momentarily House breaking can begin when puppies are about three months old The sense of place for elimination should be emphasized over negative reinforcement Methods are shown on how to call praise and discipline dogs and keep them from chewing on objects
Date Published: 1952-06-16
Abstract: Admiral Bolster discusses the US Navys research and development programs for weapons equipment techniques for use and personnel training Dr Hulbert describes the Naval Research Lab established in 1923 to meet the scientific and technical needs of the navy Its departments include chemistry mechanics optics radio metallurgy sound nucleonics radiation electricity and systems coordination One of its specific programs is the radio telescope shown on a film Dr Chapanis discusses how industrial design improves the accuracy and functionality of machines for humans Using a mockup of a radar indicator he redesigns it to reduce user fatigue allow the operator to sit or stand facilitate readings simplify controls and clarify codings Dr Mead explains the tests featured in a film showing naval systems coordination the integration of men and equipment and how well both perform under stress In conclusion Mr Poole defines a system analyst
Date Published: 1952-12-08
Abstract: The life cycle of the butterfly goes through metamorphosis by changing from eggs to larvae to caterpillars to pupae to butterflies Various species of butterflies and their anatomy variety and migration are discussed along with the fact that many cultures around the world eat butterflies and caterpillars
Date Published: 1952-07-21
Abstract: The program begins with a discussion of the solar system with the sun in the center and the nine planets with their satellites or moons Comets also travel around the sun in very irregular orbits Great clusters of billions of stars form galaxies The earth is near the center of the galaxy known as the Milky Way Stars are arranged into the constellations that have distinctive configurations
Date Published: 1952-08-04
Abstract: Lynn Poole shows William Harveys 1628 book Anatomical studies on the motion of the heart and blood which proved that blood circulates in the body Mr Poole then introduces an animated film by Prof Winifred Cullis distributed by United World Films which gives an explanation of the complete heart cycle and blood circulation It also includes a demonstration of a sphygmograph to record pulse rates before and after exercise After the film Dr Van Slyke discusses the common causes of heart disease and illustrates each using slides
Date Published: 1952-08-25
Abstract: There are 234 muscles in the human body which interpret signals from the nervous system to perform simple and complex operations Pairs of muscles often work together by expanding and contracting in opposition to each other to perform at optimum efficiency Muscle contraction consists of physical chemical and electrical changes
Date Published: 1952-11-17
