AbstractsEducation Research & Administration

It is the purpose of this thesis to present a course of study in general "Power Mechanics" which would enable the junior high school student to understand the elementary principles of power generation and distribution, and to appreciate the relationships of the use of power to our social order. The course is "general" in that it includes a study of all forms of power used by man, which naturally implies that emphasis has been placed on present forms of power generation and consumption. The course is "mechanical" in that the student studies the elementary principles of generation. He manipulates and makes models whenever it is deemed advisable. The procedure followed in the construction of this course of study was to: 1. Analyze the uses of power by society. 2. Make a historical study of the development of power in Man's progress through the ages. 3. Make an analysis of the characteristics of the newer courses of study. These characteristics are included as part of the thesis. 4. Set up aim, select and organize content and method in accordance with the newer courses of study and the general aims of education. The following aims were set up to guide the construction of the course of study: First, to orientate youth with the elementary principles of power generation and distribution and to show the relationship of power to civilized life. Second, to integrate the different phases of the industrial arts program and to integrate that program with other areas of the school curriculum. Third, to develop manipulative abilities which will serve as prevocational and leisure-time activities now and in the future. Fourth, to maintain the interest of the student: in curricular activities by helping him reconstruct the story of power and by pointing out to him the fact that the material covered in this course is definitely related to other subjects in his secondary school program. Fifth, to develop an appreciation of the mechanical refinements which are our heritage, and of the qualifications and characteristics of the men who made these refinements possible. In order to achieve the above aims, the following phases of the subject were presented: man and animal power; the principle of the wheel and axle and how it affects power generation and transmission; wind and water power; steam power; internal combustion engines; and electric power. The study includes only the elementary principles of these different phases of power, for it is believed that more technical information would be beyond the capacity of junior high school students. However, the application of the functional principles of these different phases of power will meet the aims stated, giving the student insight into many of the mysteries which surround his everyday life. At the close of each of the units, outcomes are given in an analyzed form, making it possible for the teacher to see the relationship of outcomes within a section; also the relation of that section to other sections and to the aims of general education. …