Throughout the history of Pennsylvania Academy of Science have been two committees that have been influential in improving science beyond the Academy in the State. These include the Committee on The Certification of Science Teachers in the Secondary Schools of Pennsylvania and the Conservation Committee. The accomplishments of these committees are detailed below.
This committee of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science was started in 1936 by Dr. John C. Johnson, with the goal of imposing minimum requirements on the science teachers in the secondary schools of Pennsylvania. This committee worked for 23 years being in constant contact with the State Board of Education and other educational groups. Initially, it was proposed that teachers have at least 18 hours in biology, chemistry, or physics. However, requirements were met with skepticism at the state level because of a shortage of teachers. It was thought that imposing requirements, would reduce the already short supply of science teachers.
Finally on March 4, 1959, largely through the efforts of this committee, the Pennsylvania State Education Association, and the Pennsylvania Committee on Teacher Education and Professional Standards, requirements were instituted by the State Council of Education. The effective date of provisional certificates was October 1, 1963. The requirements were as follows:
In 1936, it was proposed by Dr. M. Graham Netting to start a Conservation Committee with the purpose of “Keeping in touch with legislators in an endeavor to conserve our wildlife.” During the summer meeting of 1936, this committee was formed by Pennsylvania Academy of Science President, Dr. Thomas D. Cope, and composed of Dr. M. Graham Netting (Chairman), Edgar T. Wherry, D.S. Hartline, J. Kenneth Terres, and E.M. Gress. During the first meeting it was proposed that the stand of virgin hemlock (Wagner Track) at Bucktown in Somerset County be made into a State Forest Preserve. This Academy resolution was sent to members of the legislature and other people of influence.
The Conservaton Committee was primarily active at the time of its beginning, in the mid-1940s, and in the early to mid 1950s. The committee was reorganized in 1963 and lasted until 1965, when reports on committee ceased to be produced. This committee likely helped to inform other efforts in the state including the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and The Nature Conservancy (re: Natural Areas Program), the Pennsylvania Game Commission, Fish and Boat Commission, and the upcoming Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. At the minimum, it helped move forward efforts in conservation in the state with the backing of the highest state science organization.
In 1937, a request was recieved from the Missouri Academy of Science about collaborating with the Pennsylvania Academy of Science Conservation Committee.
In 1943, the committe met and determined the following activities.
In 1944, the Committee accomplished the following:
In 1945, under Hardy L. Shirley as Chairman the committee engaged in the following:
The Academy should offer its services to the State Department of Public Instruction in preparing materials in conservation education.
It should encourage a more specific and vital place for conservation education in the secondary school curricula.
It should prepare lists of available educational material and various bulletins to be sent to all secondary schools for the purpose of assisting teachers in adding to their knowledge of this subject and encouraging them in teaching conservation.
The Academy should use the excellent material in the field of conservation education developed by the Dr. E.L. Palmer of Cornell University, especially his series of conservation units entitled “ Seven Keys to Wildlife Conservation” published in the American Biology Teacher.
The Academy should encourage the Junior Academy members to develop Conservation Clubs in their respective schools.
The Academy came out against PA Bill 86 (Strip mining of spoil banks).
During the Summer Meeting of 1946 the committee wrote a letter of support for the proposed Island Beach National Monument in New Jersey. The committee also:
The Committee reported on the establishment of a State Conservation Education Laboratory for Teachers. – This was put together by J. Charles Runk of Bradford Woods, PA and Dr. Henry Klonower of the Department of Public Instruction. – 2 summer sessions are held at State College, PA.
The State Department of Forests and Waters has money available for the purchase of land for state forests and state parks.
It was recommended by Mrs. John F. Stanwell-Fletcher that the Silver Lake Area (a 500 acre virgin hemlock forest) in Northern PA by protected.
In 1951, the following was completed by the committee.
The following recommendations were made by William A. Niering, Chairman:
In 1953, the existence of the committee was brought into question, since nothing was being accomplished. At the 1953 annual meeting is was suggested that the committee:
The Executive Committee set forth in writing the specific aims and functions it expects from the Conservation Committee to work for and perform.
In the future the committee should be composed of people living closer to one another than the whole state. This will permit holding several meetings, rather than hurried get togethers.
More frequent meetings were needed because of the possibility of a small watershed in the Susquehanna basin will be placed under a watershed management program. It is advisable to have a functioning Conservation Committee when this happens.
It was also suggested to edit and publish a conservation map of Pennsylvania to be used in the schools of Pennsylvania. It is suggested that the membership of the Academy be included in the map.
It was also proposed that Tannersville Bog in Monroe County, be set aside as a natural area.
There were no formal meetings of the conservation committee held during 1954, but the chairman accomplished the following:
In 1955, the committee met in the Brandywine Valley of Pennsylvania with other Academy members and meeting was regarded as succeessful.
In 1963, after eight years of inactivity, the Conservation Committee, came up with the following functions:
To inform itself and eventually membership of the Academy, practices that are beneficial or detrimental as the case may be to the best interests of the people of Pennsylvania both now and in the future.
To recommend for supportive action, after investigation, to the Executive Committee, legislation beneficial to the Commonwealth.
To offer to organizations interested in Conservation, the professional advice and knowledge of the members of the Academy.
The committee also had an exhibit at the Symposium on Conservation at Moravian College.
In 1965, the Conservation committee suggested that the Executive Committee, support any legislation against billboards on scenic routes in Pennsylvania. The committee also worked with the Little Lehigh and Saucon Watershed organizations. They also inspected Project 70 areas under consideration. The 1965 report was the last one filed for this committee.
Go to Chapter 16: Major Initiatives of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science