The Science Exhibition

On Friday, 4th May, the Seventh Science Exhibition, which had had to be postponed from the end of the Easter term, was formally declared open by E. Wilfrid Taylor, Esq., C.B.E.

These exhibitions, which had originated under the inspiration of Mr. C. R. Featherstone in 1924, were held triennially until 1939, with one break in 1936. In 1947 they were revived under the Chairmanship of Mr. E. K. Robinson. For the original Exhibition in 1924 it was the proud boast in the report in "The Peterite" that it had occupied all eight rooms in the Science Block. That this present Exhibition should occupy not only every available inch in the Science Block but also every room in the Main building, as well as many `outposts', is clear proof of the widening scope of the Exhibition and of the increase in the Scientific interests of the School.

At the Opening Ceremony, when the Headmaster, in introducing Mr. Taylor, had referred to his great scientific ability and his practical services to Science, Mr. Taylor after defining Science as "systematised knowledge" proceeded briefly to trace the development of Scientific thought from the time when all natural manifestations were put down to the supernatural until the present. After pointing out the great work done by Englishmen in scientific development, Mr. Taylor referred to the impossibility at the present day of living without the help of Science. Mr. Taylor then formally opened the Exhibition by unveiling a previously veiled exhibit, which symbolised Science in all its branches, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Geography, encircling a moving solar system and a metronome, to symbolise Space and Time.

Meteorology was sufficiently and persistently represented by the weather outside, as it rained continuously throughout the Exhibition. It had been intended immediately after the opening to release six hydrogen-filled balloons, carrying messages in three languages and an international stamp, but this ceremony had to be postponed until the weather was rather less unkind.

Into details of all the Exhibits it is impossible to go, so vast was the scope of the Exhibition. To get anything like a comprehensive idea of all there was to see the full two days of the Exhibition were necessary, and even then there was only time for a cursory glance at many of the exhibits. Every taste, however catholic, was catered for. Some were most impressed by the model of the Atomic Pile `Gleep', skilfully built by Everitt, or the Atomic Bomb, made by Holt. Some were attracted by the entertainment value of the Wimshurst Machine, demonstrated by Ibberson and Grainger; others thought most of the various light and radiation experiments. In the Chemistry department Smithson's exposition of Colloids was impressive, while Goodburn's demonstration of Catalysis was, at times, distincly exciting. To the unscientific mind the demonstration of Glass Blowing, by Potter and 20

Welch, was simple enough to understand, if not to perform. Mention too must be made of Rusholme's Indoor Fireworks which never failed to attract a crowd. Indeed all the experiments were performed and explained with confidence.

In the Biology Department Ford's Demonstration Frame of Bees evoked much interest, to which the chorus of chickens provided a musical background. The School Zoo, also, under the direction of Richardson, was a sure attraction.

In the Geography Section of the Exhibition typical work of different sections of the School was attractively displayed, together with a full history and plans of the School's adopted ship S.S. "Mountpark". The Meteorological Department displayed its depressing records, and published an hour to hour commentary on the weather during the Exhibition, producing the astounding information that over 10,000 gallons of water had fallen during the period over the area of the cricket square !

A very interesting innovation in this year's Exhibition was the inclusion of a Hobbies Room, where many models of ships and aeroplanes made by boys were displayed, together with a collection of firearms. In addition there were two working model railways, which proved a never ending source of attraction and were invaluable as a means of finding any lost children.

In addition to the many exhibits, of which only a few have been mentioned, there were also lectures, demonstrations, and films, given at intervals. The lectures were given by Robinson and Youll on "Liquid Oxygen' and proved so popular that an extra had to be arranged at the end of the second day. Rigg and Weightman gave demonstrations of X-Ray and High Voltage experiments, while Bolton and Moore, J. R., lectured on Colour and Fluorescence. Among the films shown were one on The Phase Contrast Microscope, one on the Vocal Chords, and one on Science in the Orchestra.

The Junior School made their contribution to the Exhibition in the form of a room of Junior School Exhibits of Botanical and Natural History specimens, geographical diagrams and meteorological charts, while J.VI demonstrated York's water and sewage system.

The share of the C.C.F. too in the Exhibition must not be forgotten. The Signals Section was responsible for maintaining a network of internal communications, of which the visitors were invited to make use, and demonstrated the working of the Signals Telephone Exchange and the Inter-Schools Network transmitter and receiver. Finally the Artillery Section of the C.C.F. marked the close of each session of the Exhibition by the firing of a blank round from a 25 pounder gun, with resounding success.

Besides the School exhibits there were on show several pieces of apparatus which are normally outside the usual school activities and which were provided by the courtesy of various outside firms and

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